The Toad House Band formed in 2006 when multi-instrumentalist Marty Wallace got the thumbs up from Toad Tavern owner Brice Hancock to put together a house band to support visiting artists. The Toad Tavern was a popular music nightclub in the cozy Denver suburb of Littleton, Colorado, renowned for hosting acts such as Jared Leto, Bobby Rush, Koko Taylor, Bettye LaVette, and Charlie Musselwhite.
Marty’s first recruit was Brian, whom he found through a classified ad in the Denver Post. What caught his eye was Brian’s experience, but what landed him the job was his ultra-versatile vocal range, impeccable guitar skills, and ability to learn just about anything you put in front of him in minutes. A skill Marty appreciated all too well.
Marty’s day job was as a music professor at the University of Colorado, so after he recruited Brian, he brought on two of his brightest students: Ron Ohren on bass and Percival Johnston on drums. But for performances that called for it, Marty wanted a brass section, so he recruited veteran musicians Hiram Bartel on trumpet and Sinead Marks on trombone to complete the band’s lineup.
When Brian released his first blues-rock song, “What the Hell,” in 2009, it quickly became a major hit, climbing the charts and earning him one of his many Top Independent Artists awards. The song’s success caught the attention of the Creative Artists Agency, which signed him for a summer 2010 tour opening for artists including the Black Crowes, Robert Randolph, B.B. King, and Robert Cray. And his backing band of choice for the tour? None other than the Toad House Band.
Recorded during the summer of 2010 at the Toad Tavern, opening for B.B. King and Robert Cray; the legendary Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater, opening for Robert Randolph; and the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater, opening for the Black Crowes, the album brings together the most popular and diverse recordings from those performances, showcasing Brian’s impressive vocal versatility and lead guitar work. It also highlights the distinctive Toad House Band sound that Marty Wallace crafted so carefully.
The recordings for the “Brian Walton & The Toad House Band Live!” album were originally part of Brian’s Anthology collection, scheduled for release in 2026. However, the collection is so massive that it was decided to stagger the Anthology release as a series of sub-releases, each focusing on different facets of Brian’s long and diverse career.
Produced at Musty Dungeon Studios. Distributed by Sony Entertainment. © 1981-2026 WIBG LLC dba Musty Dungeon Studios. Brian Walton appears courtesy of K&P Enterprises and Sony Entertainment. Recorded live during the 2010 summer tour at the Toad Tavern in Littleton, Colorado; Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater in Denver, Colorado; and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.
Created for the documentary “Boobs: An American Obsession,” the song “What the Hell” was released as a single shortly after the film’s debut, marking Brian’s first foray into the blues-rock genre. The catchy tune quickly gained popularity and critical acclaim, earning several awards for its lyrics and composition. It has since been featured in numerous TV shows and movies worldwide.
Written by Brian Walton
After the resounding success of “A Good Fool is Hard to Find,” Brian thought he should follow it up with another Albert King song to keep the momentum going. He chose “Born Under a Bad Sign.” He was drawn to its distinctive rhythm and relaxed feel, which perfectly suited his style and deep appreciation for blues. It seemed like an ideal pick to continue winning over his audience!
Written by William Bell and Booker T. Jones.
Brian first recorded “A Good Fool is Hard to Find” on a dare during a radio interview. While discussing the ups and downs of collaborating with Phil Ramone in the ’80s, Brian shared a story about the frantic pace of mixing an album in just a few days. Toward the end of the interview, callers were invited to ask questions, and one dared Brian to record a song in a single day. Accepting the challenge, Brian raced home, recorded and mixed the song in just six hours. He then returned to the radio studio and premiered the track on the air that same evening to great fanfare!
Written by Gloria Houston and Nina Shackelford.
During a memorable Christmas performance at Toad Tavern, Marty Wallace surprised Brian by launching into “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” Although Brian had never played the song before and initially stumbled through it, he was delighted to see the crowd loved it and kept asking for more. The song’s cheerful, family-friendly vibe and relaxed style captured everyone’s hearts, inspiring Brian to make it a regular part of his setlist.
Written by Sammy Timberg and Bob Rothberg.
When Brian was going through an identity crisis, torn between country music and the blues, the Black Crowes’ cover of “Hard to Handle” felt like the ideal song to help him blend the two genres. It gave him an exciting chance to experiment with a rougher guitar tone and a grittier vocal style during live performances.
Written by Otis Redding, Al Bell, and Allen Jones.
Brian has always admired Billy Gibbons’ straightforward guitar style, which he believes stems from the unique challenges of playing in a trio. He thinks Billy’s riffs are brilliant and often inspire his own playing. One song that captures what Brian loves about Billy’s music is “La Grange.” It was a natural choice for his own power trio back in the day, perfectly expressing the energy he wanted to share.
Written by Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard.
Brian pulled a fast one on Marty Wallace during his audition for the Toad House Band by launching into Billy Joel’s classic “Piano Man.” It was a strong showcase of Brian’s impressive piano and vocal skills, honed in the ’80s and ’90s. However, Marty knew “Piano Man” wouldn’t cut it in the blues scene. Marty wanted audiences to experience Brian’s versatility, particularly his ability to switch effortlessly between piano and guitar while singing. To that end, Marty asked Brian to learn “Unchain My Heart” as a more fitting alternative.
Written by Bobby Sharp.
Like Brian, Marty Wallace was a talented multi-instrumentalist and a remarkable lead guitarist to boot! He had been searching for someone who could match his skills and share the spotlight on solos, and that’s exactly what he found in Brian. When they joined forces, Foghat’s rendition of Willie Dixon’s classic “I Just Want to Make Love to You” became the perfect showcase for their musical chemistry.
Written by Willie Dixon.
Brian first met Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1984 while working at Capitol Records in Austin, Texas. As a reward for finishing a project early, he received VIP tickets with backstage access to the Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble concert at the Austin Opry House, which let him meet the band. The band had been hearing rumors about a talented new Nashville keyboardist making waves in Austin. When Brian introduced himself, they connected the dots, sparking a lively conversation and beginning a long-term relationship. Stevie’s death in 1990 deeply affected Brian. The previous year, his song “Crossfire” had premiered, and in honor of the talented guitarist who left us far too early, Brian included it in his program as a heartfelt tribute.
Written by Bill Carter, Ruth Ellsworth Carter, Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton, and Reese Wynans.
Brian first discovered Delbert McClinton’s version of “Shaky Ground” while playing music in Nashville in the 1980s, and he has loved it ever since. One memorable night at the Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater in Denver, Brian and his band, the Toad House Band, were opening for Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Their closing song was “Shaky Ground.” To the audience’s delight and the Toad House Band’s total surprise, Robert and his band hopped onstage and joined in the energy. It was an unforgettable moment that truly electrified the audience!
Written by Jeffrey Bowen, Al Boyd, and Eddie Hazel.
Whenever Marty held one of his ‘training’ rehearsals for his students, one of the songs he liked them to work on was “Wrap it Up.” He preferred this song because it was simple and easy to play. However, Brian hated it, feeling it was too basic. But Marty persisted, encouraging Brian to make it his own, which proved a big hit with the audience.
Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.
Brian Walton & the Toad House Band Live! Featuring Brian Walton on Vocals and Lead Guitar, Marty Wallace on Keyboards, Guitars & Saxophone, Ron Ohren on Bass & Vocals, Percival Johnston on Drums & Vocals, Hiram Bartel on Trumpet, and Sinead Marks on Trombone. Live Sound Engineer Marty Johnston. Brian Walton appears courtesy of K&P Enterprises and Sony Entertainment. Produced and directed by Brian Walton A.E.S at the Musty Dungeon Studios in Challis, Idaho. ℗ 1981-2026 WIBG LLC dba Musty Dungeon Studios.
In loving memory of Marty Wallace †June 16th, 2020. Death leaves a heartache that will not heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Want to learn more about Brian’s reinvention as a blues-rock artist or Marty Wallace and The Toad House Band? Check out Brian’s new biography, ‘The Magical Journey,’ coming to stores in July 2026. Members can read the book anytime for free online, which includes never-before-published pictures and excerpts that didn’t make it into the main publication.
