Toy Caldwell

Jamie Danter · Posted 17 Apr 2005 7:33 am

Anyone have info on Toy's playing and his steel?

His playing on "Fire on the Mnt", has piqued my interest.

TNX

jamie

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

You mean other than the fact that it was terribly out of tune most of the time and sounded like he was a beginner (because he WAS)? Do yourself a favor and set your standards higher. If you like the country rock thing, listen to Buddy Cage from the same era with 'New Riders of the Purple Sage'. That is HIGH QUALITY MUSICIANSHIP.

oooooh, that was nasty (but true)

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

John Dusenberry · From: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

There is a DVD available of a concert MTB did in 81 after Tommy died. Toy does 2 songs on the steel-Fire On The Mountian & Bob Away My Blues. He was playing an Emmons.

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

Fire on the Mountain was one of the first songs I ever learned on the steel 26 years ago. It was out of tune, but I was psyched because I could play it and everybody thought I was cool.

I still like playing steel on those dark cowboy type songs though.

Gary Morse · From: Nashville,TN

Larry, I have to agree with you in regards to Buddy Cage. He was a major influence on me. I grew up playing "hippie steel" and got more involved in traditional steel as time went on. Although Toy played steel out of tune, he was a great lead player and did have some pretty cool ideas on the steel as well. He lacked the technical skills,though.
Some could say the same about Jerry Garcia. He wasn't a great steel player but looking back he did have some interesting ideas and approaches to the instrument. The best thing about Toy and Jerry were that they brought the steel guitar to a generation that had no clue as to what a steel was prior to seeing them play. I was one of them. Another one of my favorites from that era was John David Call (Pure Prairie League). I saw Pure Prairie League with John on steel at the Roxy in Los Angeles back in the 70's and he was excellent in concert. Not to mention that killer "Sho-Bud through a wall of Fender amps" tone he had!

[This message was edited by Gary Morse on 17 April 2005 at 04:36 PM.]

John Ciano · Posted 17 Apr 2005 5:29 pm

Dittos to Gary. I was probubly playing steel for two years before I even realized who Buddy Emmons was, and that was only after buying the "Suite Steel" album because Rusty Young was on it. Guys like Toy and Jerry were already recording artists when they started playing steel and had the oppurtunity and encouragement to record the steel even though they were not at the level of a seasoned player. I don't know about most of you but it took me a while before I stopped messing up people's equilibrum with my intonation. I too was turned on to steel in the early 70's and it was a great era. Country rock was huge in N.J. and there were clubs big and small that bands could play and grow. With regards to "Fire on the Mt." The crowds went wild as soon as I started that intro
lick. I heard it resently and inspite of its warts I still think it is kind of cool.Toy was able to do what only a gifted musician could: create a catchy little phrase that people recognize and respond to.
Also check out "Searchin for a Rainbow", another crowd favorite because of the steel.

Gary Morse · From: Nashville,TN

I couldn't agree more John. "Searching For A Rainbow" is another cool song from that era. I also bought Suite Steel and played it until the needle wore out! Guess we're showing our age now!

[This message was edited by Gary Morse on 17 April 2005 at 07:52 PM.]

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Guys..you're preaching to the choir!!.. I never got BEYOND that old country rock style.. its the way I STILL play after 28 years!! .... My old friend John Ciano and I were friendly rivals in the NJ country rock scene years ago, and actually were more in demand than "traditional" steel guitarists at that time because we could play those "cheap" cool country rock licks... sigh.. those were the days....by the way Ciano, its good to see you here!! we need you to post a little more often my old friend!!! bob

Pete Burak · From: Portland, OR USA

Hey Guys, I grew up in Cranford NJ and started taking steel lessons from the guy in "Cowtown", who lived in Westfield at the time 78/79.
Country Rock was huge in "Cranstock", I know that!

I loved listening to Toy play steel both Live (they were around alot back then), and on the records.
I couldn't care less about Toys intonation at the time, or now.
It's Toy!... On Steel!!!
He actually played steel on quite a few tunes and played both E9 and C6 necks.
I'm a big fan of Bob Away My Blues, and See You Later, I'm Gone, among others.
"I'm Gonna Tell It To The Devil, When I, See Him Today"! Great tune.

Barry Yasika · From: Bethlehem, Pa.

I thought Toy Did about as good as anyone back in those days. With the ecxeption of a select few, lots of Steel guitars sounded out of tune to me prior to the Electronic Quarts Tuners. The thing is I heard that song on the radio and I know Toy did the work on it. There's lots of us who can't say the same thing. I don't really wanna start a debate. Just give credit where credit is due. Lets face it, it was a good song and for me it brings back good memories.

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

Likewise, my interest in "pedal" steel guitar started from listening to Pure Prarie League (which I still have all their albums) the Marshall Tucker Band and seeing Buddy Cage at the St. Croix Boom Co. back in about 1979 in Stillwater, MN. Country rock was in and Crosby Stills Nash & Young along with Gram Parsons, the Byrds and well.......you get the idea.
My first love of steel guitar began with my Uncle Vern playing his Gibson Console Grande at Christmas gatherings & special events though. He is 88 years old and was able to attend Jerry Byrd's funeral/memorial service!!

Ron Stroud · From: Ft. Worth, TX

I saw Toy and MTB in concert on campus while I was a student at Georgia Tech around '79-'80. I was up in the nosebleed seats, couldn't tell who was playing what, didn't know what a steel was, and thought that Fire On The Mountain intro was the coolest thing I'd ever heard. Finally, 20 years later, I learned how to play it myself.

Gordon Black · From: burns,oregon,usa

This thread made me go out and get the "Anthology" double CD of the MTB. The 2nd CD has a live video of "Fire on the Mountain" with Toy playing an Emmons, live-center stage! It's cool to actually see someone play the music that shaped my steel destiny. Also interesting to note that he has NO knee levers pulled down, and he seemed kinda nervous. My heroes were mortal too.....

Boo Bernstein · From: Los Angeles, CA

Going back to the subject of Buddy Cage -- just this past weekend, someone gave me a CD of the New Riders live at some rock festival in 1972. As I listened, it took me back to those country rock days. Buddy sounded great, taking a lot of weird chances that were really cool. And, by the way, I played steel in the NJ country rock scene too until I was "plucked out of obscurity" by Freddy Fender.

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Three of the members of our band have been playing together since the early 1970's. We still end just about every dance with "See You Later, I'm Gone".

Lee, from South Texas

Jim Dempsey · From: Belmar, New Jersey, USA

You NJ steelers are bringing back some great memories.,,ah Kinderhook Creek,Winfield,Southern Cross....great days!

Jimmy Youngblood · Posted 26 Apr 2005 2:50 am

How 'bout Sneaky Pete Kleinow with The Flying Burrito Bros.

I saw them up at Lake Tahoe in the 1970's

I thought they were burnin'!

But, then again .. that was my recreational pharmaceutical era!

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

You're talkin' my roots here, too. Grew up coppin' licks from all these guys. We're doing a cool version of Desert Skies with my reunion band. Toy was playing C6 101 on that song, but he captured the theme of the song like a true artist and that's what counts. He was the king of less-is-more in my book.

jim milewski · From: stowe, vermont

Toy had a pretty good thumb, didn't he?

Webb Kline · From: Orangeville, PA

Yeah, that thumb must have had the consistency of a deer hoof.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Crying shame to lose Toy, one tough but soulful picker.

That thumb otta be in the Smithsonian.

Craig Stock · From: Westfield, NJ USA

Hey Pete, I grew up and still live in Westfield, NJ, who was the guy from Westfield that played for Cowtown?

I saw Kinderhook Creek before they dropped 'Creek' in Springfield,NJ around '77 or '78, really blew me away and one of the loudest show I ever attended. About 4 years ago they rebanded and played a show out in Hunterdon County at a Cancer Run-a-thon, with the original band all flying in for the show. It was really great. Yes Country -Rock in NJ was real big, and in my mind it still is.

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Regards, Craig

John Ciano · Posted 2 May 2005 4:09 pm

Hi Craig, Cowtown had two steel players the first being Gorden Wells who is definitly a cut above player who has played at several NPSGA shows. He was in Molassas Hill for many years and now has a band called "Jersey All-Stars". But you are probubly refering second being Jimmy Ryan, also a terrific steel player and musician. Jimmy still plays and owns Loria Music in Rahway N.J. For a bunch of urbanites, N.J. has cultivated an impressive number of fine steel players as a result of the immense
popularity in N.J. of Poco, NRPS, Commander Cody, and Marshall Tucker. Also Craig FYI, Yuri Tyrchin who played fiddle for Kinderhook is playing with me in the "Tim Gillis" band.

Boo Bernstein · From: Los Angeles, CA

Tim Gillis -- now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time. I played steel in his band in '76 and '77. I actually met Freddy Fender during that stint so it was beneficial for me. When I left the band, I was replaced by Chris "Tiny" Olsen. Tiny and I both ended up in Texas eventually -- me with Freddy and Chris with Gene Watson. Small world, huh?

John Ciano · Posted 3 May 2005 7:28 pm

Hey Boo, I guess you don't remember me I'm Mike Ferguson's friend. We met several times. As a matter of fact I am probubly the only player Tim ever had that was not picked up by a major act. That is why I still play with him. As per my previous post you are another example of a cut above born and bred N.J. steel player, cultivated by the rich country and country rock scene we had back in the 70's. Steel guitar really gave you a "ticket to ride" by traveling the world with Freddie Fender.
What a terrific experience. I guess it did not hurt you to learn "Fire on The Mountain".

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