SKF NOTE: The latest from Paul T. Riddle’s hot new band.
We just dropped a new video — “Fly Like An Eagle” played the way it deserves to be heard. Full and wide open. Go give it a watch.
And if you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet — we’re heading to Music at Maymont in Richmond, VA on May 20th and spots are still available. Don’t wait on this one.
SKF NOTE: Writing Modern Drummer music album reviews was not for me.
Growing up, I enjoyed reading and learning from album reviews in music magazines, notably Down Beat. At first, reviewing albums for MD seemed a fun idea. List the album title and record label, the recording date, and the personnel, ending with my brief impression of the album.
Easy. Right?
Not for me.
Disney’s Thumper the Rabbit’s life philosophy got in my album review way: “If you can’t say something’ nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”
One moment of one day I find an album lacking. Does that mean every listener will find the album lacking?
Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet, the John Coltrane Quartet, are just two examples of musicians with albums I didn’t like at first. Mostly because I didn’t understand what I was hearing.
Today I own pretty much every Miles, every Coltrane album.
In the 1970s I dismissed Maynard Ferguson’s albums because his looked like an old cat trying to look hip.
Then, in the 1970s, three different times, on NYC’s legendary WRVR jazz radio, I heard killer contemporary big band tracks, without knowing the band’s identity. All three times it was Maynard Ferguson’s big band.
I realized how wrong, petty, and foolish I was to have snubbed Ferguson’s music because of his appearance. I’ve tried to never make that mistake again about any musician.
I have a group of albums I find as fresh today as they were when I first heard them decades ago.
On the other hand, I have been very disappointed re-listening to albums I thought were great 40 or 50 years ago. The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s first album, “Are You Experienced?” is one example.
Am I saying “Are You Experienced?” is a bad album? Am I dissing The Jimi Hendrix Experience? Not at all. It’s just that, my hearing “Are You Experienced” for the first time after decades, simply didn’t match my overwhelming enthusiasm for that albums in 1967.
Music changes. Music tastes change. I change. My music tastes change.
Bad album reviews never change. They are forever.
So, way back when, I pushed my MD desk chair back away from my electric typewriter, and haven’t written a music album review since.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2026
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Lightfoot Band Welcomes New Guitarist Bill Bell
The Lightfoot Band is proud to announce the addition of acclaimed guitarist Bill Bell as its new lead guitarist, marking an exciting new chapter for the celebrated group known for honoring the timeless music of Gordon Lightfoot.
Bell joins veteran band members bassist Rick Haynes, drummer Barry Keane, and keyboardist Michael Heffernan, along with vocalist and rhythm guitarist Andy Mauck, who joined the band in 2024, ahead of the group’s 2026 touring season which includes stops at the Orillia Opera House and Massey Hall in Toronto.
Bill Bell brings fresh energy, exceptional musicianship, and a deep appreciation for the rich legacy of Lightfoot’s iconic catalog. Over the course of his distinguished career, Bell worked, performed, and recorded with a wide range of internationally recognized artists including Jason Mraz, Tom Cochrane, and Andy Kim.
Fans can expect the same authentic Lightfoot sound they know and love—now enhanced with renewed vibrancy and Bell’s dynamic stage presence.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this incredible talent to the band,” said veteran Lightfoot Band drummer Barry Keane.
“As we continue sharing Gordon’s music with audiences across North America, Bill’s addition strengthens our commitment to delivering powerful, heartfelt performances,” added bassist Rick Haynes.
The Lightfoot Band has built a strong reputation for preserving and performing beloved classics such as “Sundown,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” along with many deep cuts that have not been performed live for decades.
With this new addition, the band looks forward to expanding its live shows and continuing to connect with longtime fans and new audiences alike.
Details about upcoming tour dates and appearances can be found at:
thelightfootband.com
Media Contact
B. C. Fiedler
info@bcfiedler.com
1-416-809-4272
SKF NOTE: Paul T. Riddle, co-founder/drummer and Grammy Award winner of the original Marshall Tucker Band (MTB), formed The Toy Factory Project in memory and celebration of MTB co-founder Toy Caldwell and his songs.
Paul is a longtime friend. Forty-five years ago he was my first feature interview as Modern Drummer magazine’s Managing Editor. We maintained our friendship from then on.
During our phone calls over the years I listened to Riddle talk about his dream of recording an album of Toy Caldwell’s songs. I knew when Paul was choosing musicians for his project, including Derek Trucks and Vince Gill.
Then, awhile ago, Paul told me his dream album was complete.
As far as I know, The Toy Factory Project album is still unreleased. But, finally, fans do have this one YouTube video of the band’s maiden voyage at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in June 2025.
Here’s what I said about The Toy Factory Project in my first post about the band:
This is a band of giants honoring Caldwell’s music.
In addition to Riddle, The Toy Factory Project is:
Grammy nominated lead vocalist/guitarist Marcus King (The Marcus King Band)
Grammy winning bassist Oteil Burbridge (Dead & Company, The Allman Brothers Band, Oteil & Friends)
Lead vocals/guitarist Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke)
Keyboards/vocals Josh Shilling (Mountain Heart, Wynona Judd)
Violinist/Fiddler Billy Contreras (Lionel Hampton, George Jones, Zach Bryan, Ricky Skaggs, Bela Fleck)
I need to ask Paul Riddle about his Gretsch drumset. The drums sound great. Cymbals too. And Riddle sounds better than ever.
Also, I have seen one online announcement for The Toy Factory Project upcoming February 2026 performance at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY.
Exciting music. Top musicianship.
SKF NOTE: Putting on a happy face on Day It-Seems-Like-Forever with (bronchitis)? Coughing until my middle-back hurts. Then coughing until my lower back hurts.
Whatever this is, it’s getting better. These last two days I slept through the night. Mucinex DM? Benadryl?
Robitussin Maximum Strength Nighttime Cough DM works best. 20 mL of the dark red liquid right before bed is the magic.
My spirit-mind-body doctor recommended “Throat Coat” tea. The original “Throat Coat” slippery elm tastes great, feels great on throat and chest, and causes a coughing “time out.”
Years ago, when I was 26 years old, the great drummer Mel Lewis told me, “If you have your health, you have everything.”
I thought, at the time, Mel’s advice was something old people say. (Mel was age 48.)
But the older I get, the more times I slip in-and-out of sickness, the wiser Mel’s words become.
Life Beyond the Cymbals
A Blog about Music and Popular Culture
Online Drum Tracks | Drum Recording | Remote Session Drumming | Pro Session Drummer
Life Beyond the Cymbals
Writing About and Reviewing Classical Music and Jazz
Life Beyond the Cymbals
A Drummer's Look at Drums and Drumming
Scott K Fish 
You must be logged in to post a comment.