Toy Factory Project All-Star Ensemble at The Capitol Theatre, Feb. 26–27

Photo credit: Ben Staley

Paul T. Riddle, powerhouse drummer and Grammy-winning co-founder of the original Marshall Tucker Band, has assembled Toy Factory Project as a heartfelt tribute to his late bandmate and MTB co-founder, Toy Caldwell. This all-star ensemble breathes new life into Caldwell’s timeless songbook, transforming personal loss into a vibrant celebration of Southern rock’s soul-stirring spirit.

Far more than a supergroup, Toy Factory Project is a gathering of musical titans—each a legend in their own right—united to honor melodies that have echoed through generations. The result is a collaboration of the ages, transforming every performance into a singular, can’t-miss live experience.

At the helm, Paul T. Riddle drives the rhythm with his signature Marshall Tucker Band fire, joined by an unparalleled lineup of Grammy-caliber virtuosos:

• Marcus King (Guitar, Steel Guitar, Vocals – The Marcus King Band): Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and musician whose blistering guitar wizardry and soul-baring vocals infuse Caldwell’s classics with fresh fire and tenacity.
• Oteil Burbridge (Bass, Vocals – Dead & Company, The Allman Brothers Band, Oteil & The PeaceMakers): Grammy-winning bassist and groove master whose thunderous lines and improvisational genius anchor the band’s psychedelic jams with Allman-esque depth.
• Charlie Starr (Guitar, Vocals – Blackberry Smoke): Singer-songwriter and torchbearer of Southern grit, delivering heartfelt vocals and guitar sorcery that evoke the dusty roads and storytelling spirit of MTB’s heyday.
• Josh Shilling (Piano, Organ, Vocals – Mountain Heart, Wynonna Judd): Nashville recording artist and singer-songwriter whose work has appeared on multiple Grammy-winning albums, weaving soulful layers through melodic keys and soaring vocals.

“Everyone has so much love and respect for this music and each other,” shares Paul T. Riddle. “Oteil said this is one of his favorite bands to be a part of, and I agree with him. Why are we doing this? It brings us complete joy. It’s all about the love for the music and the love in the room.”

Toy Factory Project made its live debut at last year’s Telluride Bluegrass Festival, delivering a blistering performance of “Take The Highway” that served as a powerful introduction to the band’s electrifying musicianship and magnetic chemistry. Feeding off an enthusiastic crowd and the sheer joy of playing together, the set instantly became a festival highlight. Rolling Stone raved that “the showcase became one of the most memorable sets in the 52-year history of the Rocky Mountain festival.”

Live, the band is joined by violinist and fiddler Billy Contreras (Lionel Hampton, George Jones, Zach Bryan, Ricky Skaggs, Béla Fleck) and percussionist Jimmy Rector (Oteil & Friends, Jaimoe, Melvin Seals, Parliament Funkadelic, Luther Dickinson, Béla Fleck, Sam Bush), further expanding the group’s sonic reach.

Next up, Toy Factory Project will take over The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, on February 26 and 27. Tickets are on sale now and moving fast.

Beyond the stage, the stars—and busy schedules—aligned for the band to record together at Peter Frampton’s Nashville studio. The sessions were marked by a palpable sense of joy, camaraderie, and creative freedom, with the group relishing the rare opportunity to make music live in the same room. Behind-the-scenes content from the studio sessions is currently rolling out on Instagram.

The forthcoming album (release date to be announced) will feature special guest performances from Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Derek Trucks, and more.

For the latest updates, follow @toyfactoryproject on social media or visit www.toyfactoryproject.com.