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Rearview Mirror: Marshall Tucker Band’s Paul Riddle

Riddle with the ABB

In the years after MTB, the drummer filled in for Jaimoe on two Allman Brothers tours—summer tour in 1994 and fall tour in 1996—when he was sidelined with back problems. He also won a Grammy for his contributions to “Jessica” on ABB’s live release 2nd Set which highlighted the ‘94 shows.

“Jaimoe and Butch [Trucks] and I have known each other for over 35 years. I met them when I was a baby,” Riddle laughs. “Butchie and I are close and talk a lot and I could call up Jaimoe right now and we may talk for three hours, and he may be silent for an hour—he’s like my big brother. They both are.”

Riddle was the only surviving member of MTB invited to play at the ABB’s 40th anniversary shows at New York’s Beacon Theatre in March of 2009. He watched every show and was especially touched when the band asked him to sit in on a cover of the MTB classic “Can’t You See” with avid MTB fan Kid Rock (vocals) and Jimmy Hall (harmonica, vocals). “Butchie asked me if I cried, and I said, “‘Hell, I cried at rehearsal!’”

Currently, he’s preparing to release a new record with local jazz guitarist and teacher Steve Watson called Watson’s Riddle, featuring keyboardist Chuck Leavell who he’s shared the stage with in Sea Level and the Allmans. “Chuck Leavell’s piano playing is so Southern to me,” says Riddle who plays drums on the album and produced it with the help of former MTB producer Paul Hornsby. “It’s a treat to hear him play.

“It’s like an instrumental pop record,” continues the drummer of his latest endeavor. “It’s not heavy fusion. It’s very melodic. I’m proud of the musicianship and the songs are cool.”

While he’s busy with new projects, MTB’s legacy remains a large part of Riddle’s day-to-day life. “I’m proud the music holds up,” he says of the canon. “Pick any music and it’s simple: It’s all about the melodies. If you don’t have great songs, you don’t have anything. It was believable and blatantly honest.”