Toy Caldwell
Toy Caldwell during a 1974 concert.
Background information
Born	November 13, 1947
Died	February 25, 1993 (aged 45)
Genres	Southern rock Rock
Occupations	Musician, Songwriter
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1973–1993
Associated acts	The Marshall Tucker Band, Toy Caldwell Band

Toy Caldwell (13 November 1947 - 25 February 1993) was the lead guitar player and a founding member of the 1970s Southern Rock group The Marshall Tucker Band from Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was a member of the band from 1973 to 1983. He later formed the Toy Caldwell Band and released an eponymous CD in 1992; the record was later renamed Son of the South by Southern rock luminary and Caldwell's personal friend, Charlie Daniels. As guitarist for Marshall Tucker, Caldwell wrote almost all of their songs. Toy was born in Spartanburg, SC and was the brother of former Marshall Tucker bass guitarist Tommy Caldwell. Toy was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who served in Vietnam and was injured in 1967. He died in 1993.

[edit] Guitar style and legacy

Caldwell quickly gained recognition among his fans and peers for his unique guitar style, which relied on him using only his thumb as a pick. He drew inspiration from several genres, most notably rock, blues, jazz, and country, an amalgam of styles that led some critics to compare him to Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers Band.^[who?] Caldwell also played steel guitar, an example of which can be heard on the songs "See You Later, I'm Gone" and "Fire On The Mountain." Caldwell helped popularize the bright country-rock style of playing that characterized the sound of many Southern rock groups. A tribute to Toy Caldwell can be found at toycaldwell.com^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

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