Southern Rock Supergroup “Toy Factory Project” Reveals Itself
A Southern rock supergroup consisting of Marcus King, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, original Marhsall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle, bass maestro Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, a bunch others), Josh Shilling of Mountain Heart, and the incomparable Billy Contreras on fiddle? Are you kidding me? And all assembled to pay tribute to the legendary Toy Caldwell?
It almost seems too good to be true for any real Southern rock fan, but it is, and it’s called the Toy Factory Project. When the name first appeared on the posters for the 2025 Telluride Bluegrass Festival, folks were all looking to the left and right, Googling feverishly, asking Siri and Chat GPT what it was all about, but with no answers.
Now it’s been revealed as a passion project of Tom T. Riddle, who co-founded the Marshall Tucker Band with Toy Caldwell in 1972. Riddle formed the Toy Factory Project to pay tribute and celebrate Toy and his songs. A version of The Marshall Tucker Band is still out there touring, but this will focus on Toy Caldwell’s legacy.
The Toy Factory Project will be making an exclusive performance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival on June 21st. Some might be asking, why a bluegrass festival? Telluride Bluegrass has always gone beyond the bounds of bluegrass to feature all kinds of music. But most importantly, it’s a festival that fosters collaboration, and inspires some of the greatest sets of music due to the breathtaking views of the mountains.
But don’t worry if you can’t be in Telluride. Telling from the video that came with the Toy Factory Project reveal, it appears all of these boys have been in the studio together as well, so hopefully we’ll get some recorded material, and maybe some additional shows down the road as well.
Meanwhile, we’ll just be sitting here impatiently salivating over this dream assemblage of talent, and what they might have in store for us.
Stay tuned.
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April 2, 2025 @ 11:04 am
Didn’t Tom Riddle die a long time ago? I swear I read that somewhere.
April 2, 2025 @ 12:51 pm
No. That’s just a popular Allmandela Effect.
April 3, 2025 @ 6:32 am
Nah I specifically remember reading that Tom Riddle passed away. I remember very important details. there was a snake, a bird, a magic sword in a magic hat… someone was crying in a bathroom, a really hairy guy with a pet spider, a redhead… I could be misremembering some of the finer points
April 3, 2025 @ 11:44 am
Merlin’s Beard!
April 3, 2025 @ 8:28 am
That’s Paul Riddle that Trig is talking about in the article.
April 2, 2025 @ 11:07 am
Wow, Wow, Wow – What a collaboration.
Oh how wish could get to Telluride Bluegrass, this year.
You just can’t beat this kind of talent.
Enjoyed ZZTop last night with grandson. Had a blast.
April 2, 2025 @ 11:14 am
Nice. Just caught Blackberry Smoke and Brent Cobb this weekend while I was down in Texas. Charlie still sounds phenomenal live. Can’t wait for this to drop.
April 2, 2025 @ 11:46 am
Oteil has a great voice. He sings a lot in his side projects, especially Oteil and friends. He seems to do lead vox on the more ballady stuff, but he’s good at harmonies too. This could be a great band.
April 2, 2025 @ 11:47 am
Toy Caldwell was absolute greatness. “This Ol’ Cowboy” is so fine. He had unique playing style. I think I have read the pedal steel on “Fire on the Mountain” is out of tune. Sounds perfect. This man deserves a tribute.
April 2, 2025 @ 2:10 pm
Haha, yes Toy was a beginner pedal steeler when he recorded Fire on The Mountain. He was musical enough though to figure it out. He’s of course most remembered as a six string player who used his thumb, with no pick, and played lightning fast runs.
Exciting concept for an MTB fan such as I!
Marcus and Charlie both play MTB material as it is, so no stretch there. Good on them boys!
April 2, 2025 @ 2:26 pm
Toy was playing pedal steel on their first album “The Marshall Tucker Band.” He had been playing for several years by the time the “Searchin’ For A Rainbow” album (which contains “Fire On The Mountain”) was released. I’ve always felt that Toy, like Jerry Garcia, was vastly underrated as a pedal steeler – perhaps because they were such monsters on their primary instrument.
April 3, 2025 @ 7:19 am
Sigh…yes Mike you are correct. Forgot about the track Losing You on the first album. Pedal steel.
And I’ve been spinning that album for decades. No excuse. You got me.
I had read an interview with Doug years back where he said Fire on The Mountain was done right after Toy got the pedal steel and was learning. So, it appears Doug didn’t have that right. 🤔
April 3, 2025 @ 8:03 am
Hey Kevin. Toy is also kickin’ major ass on pedal steel on “See You Later, I’m Gone” (one of my all time favorite Tucker tunes) from that first album. Enjoy reading your posts on this site. You’re a knowledgeable dude and obviously as big a Southern Rock fan as I am. And speaking of “Losing You” – are you familiar with Hank Williams Jr.’s take on that song from the “Hank Williams Jr. And Friends” album from 1975? Toy is a guest on that album (but I don’t believe he’s on that song) and Hank Jr. also covers “Can’t You See” on the same album. Tucker was a HUGE influence in getting Hank Jr. to bust out of the “follow in his dad’s footsteps” mold.
April 19, 2025 @ 10:40 am
Great comments by Kevin & Mike.
Tucker was the first band I loved as a kid.
April 2, 2025 @ 11:50 am
Shit, take my money.
April 2, 2025 @ 12:33 pm
Chills
April 2, 2025 @ 12:38 pm
This is the dope. Great news. Paul T. Riddle is a very underrated drummer.
April 2, 2025 @ 1:40 pm
Toy Caldwell is criminally underrated. He released a great solo album right before he died which was a nice addition to his MTB work. It will be great to hear Paul Riddle’s drums again.
I believe Riddle, Jerry Eubanks and Doug Gray are the only surviving original members.
April 2, 2025 @ 2:10 pm
Toy Factory was a band formed by Toy Caldwell and his brother Tommy, after both brothers had completed their service in the Marine Corps, and prior to the formation of Marshall Tucker. After some personnel changes, the band solidified with the original Tucker band members, but still using the name Toy Factory. After opening for the Allman Brothers Band and Wet Willie, Wet Willie frontman Jimmy Hall recommended the band to Capricorn Records owner Phil Walden. I’ve heard that the band was still called Toy Factory and Capricorn requested a name change or, conversely, the band already had changed their name to Marshall Tucker.
April 3, 2025 @ 12:44 am
Thank you for explaining all of this! I really wasn’t understanding why it was the “Toy Factory Project” or the significance of it all, but you helped to contextualize it. It’s greatly appreciated!
April 2, 2025 @ 6:05 pm
THIS needs a Macon show…..STAT
April 2, 2025 @ 6:11 pm
Found this interesting as I have been a fan of MTB since the 70’s.
Looking forward to hearing more from the Toy Factory.
Saw the latest version of Marshall Tucker Band in Ohio last summer and though they sound like them, it was kind of sad to hear 76 yr old Doug Gray sing. He has the spirit but no longer has the pipes.
April 3, 2025 @ 9:03 am
This tree will produce good fruit in due season. Can’t wait!
April 3, 2025 @ 10:12 am
Wow!
April 4, 2025 @ 3:57 am
If you really were so excited about the talent and project you would know it’s “Paul T Riddle”!!!
April 4, 2025 @ 9:14 pm
Seems like another Over Prices money grab. What a joke ? It’s not a tribute its pretty much like the Dicky Betts special in Macon. 300 $ n up if youu were lucky enough to get the cheap seats.
Trig I got all the respect in the world for you but calling The Marshall Tucker Band that’s been touring together for over 25 yrs with Doug Gray. To call the band that tours now , a VERSION of MTB is a insult to Doug , his band and employees and the LEGACY Doug takes to the stage each night along with Henry Paul of The Outlaws..
Trig. I think you should count your blessings ole Charlie Danielshas passed away or I believe he might had whooped your butt for that insult ..
April 4, 2025 @ 9:19 pm
I got drunk simply reading your comment.
April 5, 2025 @ 6:29 am
Jimbo, I have very mixed feelings on that. I’m as big a fan of MTB as anyone. The current band does have some great musicians. Chris Hicks is a terrific player, I’ve got massive respect for him as a true Southern Rock Emeritus. Love Doug Gray, he is one of the elite vocalists of all time. It’s great that Doug’s keeping it going, but I gotta address the elephant in the room. Riddle and Eubanks retired from the band decades ago, Tommy and Toy and McCorkle are passed. Doug doesn’t have the pipes these days. And that’s OK, men age, their voices get lower. It is what it is. However, it’s far from the original band. I see it as a tribute of sorts. Yes, i have many of the later MTB albums.
Molly Hatchet is down to Bobby Ingram, he’s not an original member, but he’s trying to keep it going, albeit with one guitar. It’s not the same at all.
Just saw The Outlaws in Cincy. Henry Paul has put together a fabulous band, and I was thrilled to witness it. They are smoking hot! Triple guitars, the Guitar Army’s intact. Yet, it’s a different group of guys. Henry’s last man standing. They are great, but they are not the Original Outlaws. Hughie and Billy are gone. No Monte Yoho, no Freddie Salem. It’s a whole other band now.
There’s not a thing wrong with calling that out. I don’t fault any of these guys for keeping the bands spirit alive, and in fact I heartily support it. But let’s not kid ourselves either. They are different. I dont see that as insulting. It’s life man..