Outlaws

Outlaws is a southern rock band that originated in Tampa, Florida, in late 1967. The founding members included guitarist and vocalist Hughie Thomasson, drummer David Dix, bassist Phil Humberg, guitarists Hobie O'Brien and Frank Guidry, and singer Herbert Pino.

Frank Guidry brought the name "Outlaws" from a previous band he had been part of, as the group had initially operated under the names The Rogues and The Four Letter Words. However, by early 1968, both O'Brien and Humberg had departed to marry, leading to the addition of Frank O'Keefe on bass. In the spring of 1968, the band recorded an album at Epic Studios in New York City under the guidance of their first manager, Paul D., but the project remained unreleased following a conflict with the producer. This turmoil prompted Guidry's exit, and the band returned to Tampa before securing a new contract to record at Criteria Studios in Miami with producer Phil Gernhard. Unfortunately, this album also went unreleased, and Gernhard disappeared shortly thereafter. During this period, Ronny Elliott joined as bassist, while O'Keefe briefly transitioned to guitar. However, O'Keefe returned to bass after Elliott left, and by this time, Pino had begun playing guitar alongside his singing. Drummer Monte Yoho also joined in 1969 to replace Dix temporarily.

Early in 1970, the Outlaws welcomed two musicians from the Dave Graham Group, which was likewise managed by Paul D. Monte Yoho, the group's union leader, was not part of this lineup. The early 1970 formation consisted of Hughie Thomasson, Frank O'Keefe, Dave Dix, Billy Jones, and Dave Graham. Graham played a pivotal role in steering the band's sound toward country-rock, particularly influenced by the music of Poco. They recorded a cover of The Doors' "Five to One" as an audition for a recording deal that ultimately did not materialize. This iteration of the band disbanded in the spring of 1970, following their separation from Paul D. Yoho and Pino then returned, but by 1971, opportunities for performances had diminished, leaving the group in a state of uncertainty.

In 1971, Henry Paul, a singer and guitarist originally from New York but raised in Tampa, returned from a stint in Greenwich Village to form Sienna, a country-rock band that included Monte Yoho and Frank O'Keefe. By 1972, Hughie Thomasson had returned from a brief engagement in New York, where he supported folk singer Milton Carroll, and rejoined Paul, Yoho, and O'Keefe, marking the rebirth of Outlaws.

Billy Jones, who had occasionally jammed with the band on organ in 1971 and 1972, returned from Boulder, Colorado in 1973 and switched to guitar, contributing to the formation of the band's renowned guitar trio, later known as "The Florida Guitar Army." O'Keefe temporarily left the group during 1973-74, with Buzzy Meekins and another bassist named Rick filling in until his return. In 1974, Charlie Brusco became the band's manager, and Alan Walden, brother of Capricorn Records founder Phil Walden, partnered with Brusco as co-manager after being informed about the group by Lynyrd Skynyrd's frontman, Ronnie Van Zant.

Outlaws became the first act signed to Arista Records under Clive Davis, who witnessed the band perform as they opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1974. Following that show, Van Zant famously remarked from the stage, “If you don’t sign the Outlaws, you’re the dumbest music person I’ve ever met—and I know you’re not.”

The band's early notable tracks include "There Goes Another Love Song" and "Green Grass and High Tides," both featured on their self-titled debut album released in 1975. Their 1981 cover of "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" from the album Ghost Riders became their most successful single, reaching #31 on the Billboard "Pop Singles" chart.

Current members of Outlaws include:

- Henry Paul – guitars, vocals (1972–1977, 1983-1986, 2005–2006, 2008–present) - Dale Oliver – guitars (2018–present) - Steve Grisham – guitars, vocals (1983–1986, 2013–present) - Dave Robbins – keyboards, backing vocals (2005–2006, 2010–present) - Randy Threet – bass, vocals (2005–present) - Monte Yoho – drums, percussion (1969, 1970–1979, 2005–present)

Original recording members included:

- Hughie Thomasson – guitars, vocals, banjo (1967–1996, 2005–2007; passed away in 2007; he was instrumental in the band's revival in 2005) - Henry Paul - Billy Jones (died 1995) - Frank O'Keefe (died 1995) - Monte Yoho