Toy Factory Project is a Southern rock supergroup built around love, loss, and the enduring legacy of Toy Caldwell, co-founder of the Marshall Tucker Band. Assembled by MTB drummer and Grammy-winning co-founder Paul T. Riddle, the band brings together Marcus King, Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge, Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr, and multi-instrumentalist Josh Shilling to breathe new life into Caldwell’s songbook. Live, the lineup expands further with violinist and fiddler Billy Contreras and percussionist Jimmy Rector rounding out one of the most formidable ensembles in recent Southern rock memory.
Riddle is clear about what drives the project. “Everyone has so much love and respect for this music and each other,” he shares. “Oteil said this is one of his favorite bands to be a part of and I agree with him. It brings us complete joy. It’s all about the love for the music and the love in the room.” The band made its live debut at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, where their electrifying chemistry and sheer joy of playing together left the crowd buzzing.
The project extends well beyond the stage. The band traveled to Peter Frampton’s Nashville studio to record tracks live in the same room, a deliberate choice that captures the spontaneity and camaraderie at the heart of Toy Factory Project. Behind-the-scenes content from those sessions is rolling out on Instagram, giving followers a window into the process. The forthcoming album (release date to be announced) features special guest performances from Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Derek Trucks, and others, making it one of the most anticipated Southern rock releases in years.