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.

Time passed and passed again. No album release.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, Paul sent me an advance copy of The Toy Caldwell Project album.

He explained the music he was sending me “hasn’t been mastered. Basically live in studio. Many first takes. Never played anything more than 2 or 3 times.”

Paul added to his text, “I always get so nervous sending you stuff!!! Love you Fish. Hope you approve.”

If Paul gets nervous sending me stuff (music), you can imagine how nervous I get agreeing to listen to Paul’s’ stuff and agreeing to provide my honest feedback.

Honesty is a hallmark of the Riddle/Fish relationship. It started when we first met. I saw the MTB in concert somewhere (maybe Hartford, CT) and the band played great. They were firing on all cylinders. And that’s what I told Paul.

Later I saw the MTB at an outdoor concert in Holmdel, NJ. The stage was crawling with cameramen recording the show for television.

After the concert, Paul asked me what I thought. I told him the band was good, but not as good as the last time I saw them in concert. It seemed to me, I said, the constant presence of the camera crews short-circuited the band members’ interactions.

Paul was surprised, I think, by my candor. But he agreed with what I said about the camera crew.

I never glad-handed musicians, no matter how famous they were. Did I offer my unsolicited opinions of their music? No. But if a famous musician asked for my opinion, I always gave them my honest opinion.

But back to Paul T. Riddle’s new album. After listening to just seven of the album’s ten tracks on my MacBook Pro laptop speakers, I texted Riddle this message:

“What a great album. The word that keeps coming to mind is HONEST. Every song has great players playing from the heart honestly. Love it. Guitarists will go crazy. I only met Toy a couple of times, but if your tribute isn’t making Toy smile – I’ll eat my hat! Get this album out, please.”

It is important to note, The Toy Factory Project is NOT a MTB tribute band in the normal sense of tribute bands. Not by a long shot.

Most of The Toy Factory Project players are new to me. But, holy smoke! They are a new generation of Southern musicians, great players and singers, who grew up on Caldwell’s songs who, with Riddle’s blessing, interpret these songs in their own unique way.

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)

The band’s first public performance is at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Saturday, June 21, 2025. Tickets on sale now.

And think pure thoughts that The Toy Factor Project album will soon be available to the public.