Toy Caldwell Memories of June Jam Article

As the 12th Annual JUNE JAM approached, the many Staff and Gold members were calling for a first-class headliner. Two years before, they witnessed The Outlaws at a super show during the 10th Annual JUNE JAM. The search was on.

I traveled south to see Toy Caldwell, leader and founding member of The Marshall Tucker Band. Toy Caldwell wrote, sang and recorded the Southern-Rock anthem, "Can't You See?" Great Train Robbery was the opening band at a concert in a cavernous hall near Richmond. GTR got the crowd on their feet. Toy Caldwell performed a great set that delighted the hard-partying crowd. We were impressed. Afterwards, I spoke to Toy about playing JUNE JAM. Fortunately, he was available to play our date. Financial considerations were reasonable and I quickly agreed to his asking price. Then I remembered contracts and asked, "Are you gonna send us a contract or should we draw one up and send it to you?" He paused, looked me in the eye and said, "A handshake has always been good enough for me" and stuck his large hand, with fingers covered with calluses from years of guitar playing. We shook hands.

When I returned to Delaware, a nervous JUNE JAM Staff couldn't believe that I didn't get a written contract. "Don't worry", I responded. One look and his handshake and I knew Toy Caldwell was a man you could count on.

Toy Caldwell and his band provided the JUNE JAM faithful with one hot show during one very warm day at the old McCauley's Pond site. He loved the crowd and the beautiful site with water on three sides. After his show, Toy joined Karen Hastings and Michelle Brown backstage. Karen's new boyfriend, Brian Manges, was a huge Southern-Rock music fan and was thrilled to meet one of his rock heroes.

I thought Brian would get a kick out of making the money payout to Toy Caldwell for his performance. Brian grinned from ear to ear as I handed him wads of cash and he beamed as he packed his jean pockets. I opened the door to our trailer and sent Brian in with Toy and the girls. I hoped to join them a little later.

An hour later Toy was still entertaining Brian, Karen and Michelle with old stories from the road. He was telling them of demands made on his friend, Gregg Allman, by Cher, his then current wife. Apparently, Gregg Allman and Cher had a tumultuous relationship and Toy Caldwell had stories that would make the tabloids blush. Laughs were coming fast and furious and Toy Caldwell was the ringleader. Then Toy turned to me and said, "Well, Bob, I hate to bring this up, but" and he paused, "when am I goin' to get paid?" I was stunned. I thought Brian had paid him an hour ago. Quickly, I pulled Brian off to the side. "Where's the money?" I nervously whispered. "Calm down, it's right here in my pocket" Brian responded. Dumbfounded, I asked Brian "Why didn't you pay him?" Brian replied, "I knew as long as I had his money, he had to stick around" he laughed "and man, we've heard some great stories."

So much for giving Brian a thrill, he almost gave me a heart attack. Toy graciously accepted his cash and headed out the door. We thought he would head home but again Toy Caldwell surprised us. He grabbed a fifth of Absolut vodka and headed for the picnic area. Later, he was still down at the picnic tables singing and playing guitar with several local musicians including Joey Fulkerson and Rob Robertson. They sang old Beatles and Soul songs and their small crowd at the picnic tables thoroughly enjoyed partying and singing with the rock legend.

Later, near the backstage area, I heard my name being called. I looked over and saw a big man staggering. It was Toy Caldwell still holding the now mostly empty bottle of vodka. "I've had a hell of a time, but I need to find my band and get rolling." The band obliged and reluctantly followed Toy Caldwell onto the band bus. Toy Caldwell and his guys vanished into the night but left many lasting memories.

Sadly, Toy Caldwell died of a respitory infection just a few short years later. The man is gone, but his music lives on. Don't be surprised when you hear Johnny Neel, Rick Wilson or others covering Toy Caldwell's masterpiece "Can't You See?"