No person panic. Attempt to look cool. However what occurred in Telluride, Colorado Saturday night time (6-21) on the legendary stage of the Telluride Bluegrass Competition is perhaps one of many best issues to occur in Southern rock within the final 25 years. And if you ponder that is simply the very starting of what’s in retailer, it’s exhausting to not get away into chill bumps.
In early April we caught wind that some kind of Southern rock supergroup had shaped assembling trendy guitar god Marcus King, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, bass maestro Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers, Tedeschi Vans Band, a bunch others), Josh Shilling of Mountain Coronary heart, the incomparable Billy Contreras on fiddle, and legendary Southern rock drummer Paul T. Riddle. It was all put collectively to partially pay tribute to the legendary Toy Caldwell. It’s known as the Toy Manufacturing unit Mission.
And sure, there’s a sure band Toy Caldwell is most related to, as is the 72-year-old Paul T. Riddle who was a founding member of it when he was 17 with Caldwell. Toy Caldwell himself handed away in 1993. However as a result of authorized causes, we’ve been requested to not identify that band right here. However hey, who they’re.
After a video was launched displaying all these people in a studio collectively, and allusions to a documentary movie within the works in regards to the formation of the band, they introduced they might formally debut it to the world on the Telluride Bluegrass Competition of all locations. Although this would possibly appear to be a wierd place for a Southern rock challenge, those that know Telluride Bluegrass know they’ve all the time been permissive to those sorts of moments on the stage. That’s one of many causes the competition is so legendary itself, and been round for 52 years.
The Toy Manufacturing unit Mission was every thing you wished from this actually Southern rock supergroup if you first noticed it on paper, and extra. No, this isn’t only a tribute act. It is a reimagining of the music of Toy Caldwell and adjoining influences into extremely immersive Southern rock experiences that includes the entire prolonged improvising and soulful moments you might ever want for.
In Telluride, it actually didn’t matter if you happen to had been a Southern rock fan or not. The expertise on the stage, the vibes and chemistry they had been capable of faucet into regardless of all the large names and egos all on the stage on the identical time, all of it got here collectively extremely.
Clearly, Marcus King and Charlie Starr act as co-frontmen. However everyone seems to be an equal participant, with bassist Oteil Burbridge being simply as an vital piece as any, Josh Shilling (keys) and Billy Contreras (fiddle) getting their alternatives to shine, and drummer Paul T. Riddle who’s the mastermind of the entire thing making all of it work collectively.
Among the songs had been clearly recognizable hits from the legendary Southern rock band that may’t be named. Some weren’t like The Grateful Useless’s “Fireplace On The Mountain.” Some may need been unique compositions, or songs impressed by Toy Caldwell versus direct covers. However every thing was intense and enrapturing, with none lull within the power from musicians clearly enthusiastic and honored to be tapped to interpret these songs.
A really partial set record contains:
Fireplace on the Mountain (1975 model)
Fireplace on the Mountain (Grateful Useless Model)
This Ol’ Cowboy
In My Personal Method
Blue Ridge Mountain Sky
Can’t You See
Take The Freeway
“Can’t You See” was not the set ender as some would possibly anticipate. This was “Take The Freeway” that was completely thoughts blowing, and the place drummer Paul T. Riddle placed on a veritable clinic of laying down a pocket whereas Marcus King, Charlie Star, and the remainder did their worst. Whereas a few of the different headliner units at Telluride this season noticed a scaling down of the viewers late within the units, everybody caught round for Toy Manufacturing unit Mission, though many had no concept what it was.
About the one grievance of what transpired in Telluride is at instances you couldn’t hear the fiddle of Billy Contreras, even when he was enjoying a solo. And if you did hear it, it sounded distorted, or the tone wasn’t proper. With a lot taking place on stage together with a two guitar assault, it’s simply tough for an acoustic instrument to interrupt by way of. However they’ll dial that in over time in hopefully what are many extra performances, if not a correct tour.
In accordance with Paul T. Riddle, the group has been recording at Peter Frampton’s studio in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood. This comes after 13 years of making an attempt to do one thing with the challenge and dealing with Vince Gill and others over that point. Vince Gill and Frampton may even seem on the recorded tracks, together with the supergroup members. No launch date on the studio music has been revealed, and although rumors of a tour are within the works, no dates have been introduced simply but.
A stripped down model of this band additionally appeared on the Grand Ole Opry not too long ago, with Marcus King, Charlie Starr, Josh Shilling, and Paul T. Riddle all performing collectively. However Telluride was the primary official live performance. Additionally they invited Béla Fleck and Sam Bush to take a seat in for the set, after Marcus King and Charlie Starr additionally sat in throughout Sam Bush’s set proper earlier than the Toy Manufacturing unit Mission efficiency.
Many reminiscences, and far historical past has been made on the Telluride Bluegrass Competition through the years, and the members of the Toy Manufacturing unit Mission have all been monumental to American music. This second Saturday night time can be one other memorable, historical past making second in Telluride lore, and hopefully simply the beginning of the story of Toy Manufacturing unit Mission, and the trouble to maintain the legacy of Toy Caldwell alive.
All photographs and media by Kyle “Set off” Coroneos. For extra video/photographs from Telluride and different reside occasions, comply with Saving Nation Music on Instagram.
Marcus King completely SLAYS a solo in the course of the unveiling of the Southern rock supergroup “Toy Manufacturing unit Mission” in Telluride, CO Saturday night time. pic.twitter.com/4KLkXLUIkj
— Saving Nation Music (@KyleCoroneos) June 22, 2025
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