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Entertaining Tucson: Entertaining Tucson Vol. 1 Chuck Wagon & the Wheels: Keepin’ those wheels spinnin’By Tim Martin This page is from the 3-volume set of "Entertaining Tucson Across the Decades," a compilation of Tucson's music and entertainment history.
Chuck Wagon & the Wheels are a premier country/western band, but every fan knows they can knock out some pretty mean rock and roll, too. Formed in 1977, Chuck Wagon & the Wheels became familiar to Tucsonans in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s for their satirical music when they called the Stumble Inn [1] their home.
Chuck Wagon & the Wheels, Wagon Track Records. November 1990, Entertainment Magazine photo. Best known for their “Country Swings Disco Sucks,” these guys hit #1 on the “Dr. Demento Show’s Funny 5 Countdown” in 1980, closely followed by “The Gas Song (Let’s Drop the Neutron).” Unfortunately, this was released during the Iranian hostage crisis, and wasn’t looked upon as funny. Maybe the time has come now to get some airplay. After 13 years, five albums, six singles, international airplay, domestic and European tours, and a few changes in the lineup, this band can still get a crowd rowdy, whistling and screaming the names of favorites such as “My Girl Passed Out in Her Food,” and “We Ran Out of Gas on the Road to Love.” Popular in California and Colorado, they have opened for such names as Jerry Jeff Walker and have been compared to Asleep at the Wheel. Performing on a small, low stage spanning the back wall of Tiny’s Saloon, [2] it seemed to this reporter, like walking into a roadhouse. The only thing missing was the chicken wire in the front of the stage. But as it turned out, this was not the case. It is a nice comfortable place to meet friends. The band plays music from such divergent groups as Ted Nugent, the Rolling Stones, and does a great impression of Willy Nelson with Chuck reverently holding his nose to achieve just the right nasal quality. Chuck “Wagon” Maultsby, a Tucsonan since the mid-60s, began his career in various rock bands, and landed a contract from Capitol Records in 1969. He changed format in the mid-70s and got into country/western. He is founder, singer, songwriter, and producer owning Wagon Tracks Records. His favorite song is “Carolinda,” but it was never a big seller. Chuck has won one music award for “Sales over 100.” It is a disc of bubble gum music. Chuck is married to a raven-haired beauty named Sharon, and has two sons from a previous marriage. Chuck and Sharon are both professional leatherworkers. Chuck’s goal is “to have just one Top 40 hit before I die. I’d be happy with #39.” Backing Chuck on the steel pedal guitar is Neil Harry, a member since 1978, when he left the Dusty Chaps band. He played on two albums produced by Capitol Records for them. Neil is a steel guitar instructor and recording session performer. Bass player and vocalist, Randy Cochran, is from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Once a staff musician for Leon Russell’s Shelter Recording Studios, he came to Tucson as a member of the Grain of Salt band from Denver. He now works as a civilian at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. On lead guitar, native Tucsonan Jay Quiros has become a “second to none picker and harmony singer,” says Chuck. Jay is also a songwriter, and has helped with the KWFM radio compilation album. Doug Parmenter is on drums. As a graduate of the Musician’s Institute of L.A., is highly successful studio musician, and has played with many country and rock bands. This version of the band has been together for a little more than three years. Kristi Bird, of the Flagstaff Lumberjack has described this band perhaps better than anyone. She says, “The music of Chuck Wagon and the Wheels is more humorous than crude, creating a party atmosphere for dancers, drinkers and ‘hell-raisers’.” She certainly is right, some of the songs she must be alluding to include “Red Hot Women Ice Cold Beer,” “How Can I Love You If You Won’t Lay Down!” and “One Less Jogger on the Road.” There is good news for fans of Chuck Wagon and the Wheels. There is going to be a new album. “The Best and Worst of Chuck Wagon and the Wheels” will be released near the middle of November (1990). Now Available From Amazon.comEntertaining Tucson Across the Decades
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in print and ebook on Amazon.com. 