Ted Painter

Written by Charlene Arsenault
Thursday, 03 July 2008
By Charlene Arsenault

• Songs out of South County: Ted Painter and The South County Band are releasing their first CD, Ridin’ High, this week. Still working on a local date (their Lucky Dog show was accidentally double-booked), the band will celebrate out in Somerville at Sally O’Brien’s on Friday, July 11. With influences such as Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Alan Jackson and The Stones, South County is a mix of roots, country and rock. “I just write about life’s ups and downs from a vantage point of often-hard-won experience,” says Painter, singer and acoustic guitarist. “I just try to tell stories that folks can relate to and that’ll move ’em in a positive way.” From Worcester County (though Painter originally hails from California), the band strives to bridge traditional and contemporary, and he describes it as “Waylon Jennings meets The Beatles,” stealing liberally from rock ’n’ roll. Recently, the band signed with the label To the Fallen. Painter also nabbed the Great American Song Contest award last year. Painter is joined by (and you’ll recognize these names) Steve Blake on bass, keys and vocals, Pete Zolli on lead guitar and vocals and Keith Prescott on drums.

“I couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” he says of the new disc. “The goal was to make an honest record. That is to say, that when people hear us live and listen to the CD, they get the same basic sound. This is a country record, but it is not a Nashville record. It has not been overly produced. With the exception of a piano or keyboards on a few songs, this is us — a simple, four-piece band.”

A local CD release party should be announced soon. In the meantime, head out to Boston to see the band, or pick up your disc through CDbaby.com, Napster, iTunes, Newbury Comics, Union Music and Guitar Center in Millbury as of July 15.

- Worcester Magazine

Ted Painter and the South County Band

By Dawn Fenton

Ted Painter, a performer and songwriter who, in 2006, began writing songs and playing guitar “for real,” may be one of the year’s greatest success stories.

Painter and his ensemble, the South County Band, released their first CD, Ridin’ High, this summer and have received generous praise from fans and critics alike. Recipient of the 2008 New England Country Music Organization’s (NECMO) Songwriter of the Year and winner of the 2007 Great American Song Contest, Ted Painter may very well be one of the most humble guys you’ll ever meet.

“I received an award,” he stressed, speaking of the 2007 Great American Song Contest. “I wasn’t the only one or the highest winner…I was another award winner among others. I was very pleased and surprised. I guess I’m always surprised when I get positive feedback of any kind…I’m very happy if someone likes what I’m doing.”

Painter also made it clear that he wasn’t the only award recipient of NECMO’s Songwriter award in 2008. “Again, it was unbelievable to win. I was very surprised when it happened. There were many categories and I won in one of them, so it wasn’t just me…I’m very thankful for the recognition.”

In fact, two of three songs that were submitted to NECMO won in 2008: “Slammin’ Doors” and “Toughest Job (of the War),” and both are featured on Ridin’ High. “I guess that’s kind of good odds,” laughed Painter.

Not too shabby for a self taught guitarist, “…which explains why I am so bad,” laments Painter, adding that “Without the band behind me there’s nothing… they are really good at what they do. I am very lucky to be able to work with them. Any one of them could be a professional studio musician.”

The members of the South County Band include Steve Blake on bass, Keith Prescott on drums and John Prunier on lead guitar. Prunier, the newest member of the band, did not play on Ridin’ High, but replaced guitarist Pete Zolli, who performed on the CD. Said Painter, “John really knows his way around the country genre probably even more so than myself… [that was] an element that was missing on the current record.”

All modesty aside, Ted Painter and the South County Band have put out an impressive debut CD that will please fans of country and rockabilly alike. Even those who don’t have a penchant for country music will find themselves singing and toe tapping along to the music – this is almost a guarantee.

Catch the band live on Oct. 16 @ the Rose Garden in Upton. myspace.com/thesouthcountyband. CDs available @ Union Music & Newbury Comics - Shrewsbury
- The Pulse Magazine

CATCH & RELEASE
Written by staff
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Ted Painter

Oxford singer/songwriter Ted Painter’s brand of country has a distinct flavor. A former US Army infantry officer, Painter blends country-fried pop with stories drawing on everything from his military experience to his day-to-day life — he’s a modern-day minstrel, and most red-blooded Americans can identify with his tales. “Thinkin About Drinkin,” his newest track, starts out recounting a difficult morning where getting the baby dressed and putting the dog out makes him late for work. Later on, stories of “RPGs, IEDs, and nearly 12 months without any sleep” take over, but his point is as clear as the acoustic guitar chords and walking bass line that accompany Painter’s sterling vocals. It doesn’t matter if you’re “raising your kids” or “digging a ditch,” everybody must remember to relax with a “big old bottle” now and again because “life’s damn short and it’ll pass you by.” “Drinkin” is a track everybody can raise a glass to.

- Worcester Magazine

Entertainment Columnist

Scott McLennan
smclennan@telegram.com



At 35, Ted Painter seems to be getting a late start in the band business. Yet Painter’s delay is working to the advantage of The South County Band, for which he sings and writes.

“I’ve been married, divorced and remarried. I’ve been to combat, twice. I’ve lived a little,” said Painter. I just try to tell stories, which is becoming something of a lost art in songwriting.”

Painter, who joined the military right out of high school and most recently served two tours of duty in Iraq as an Airborne Ranger, started performing original song at open-mike sessions last year. Early this year, Painter and guitarist Tom Boudreau met at an open-mike and the two liked what they heard while collaborating on Painter’s original material. The two recruited bass player Howie Pajala when offered a performance slot at the massive JAGfest benefit show held in January at The Artists Development Complex in Southbridge.

Encouraged to keep the project going, the band mates went on the hunt for a drummer.

Steve Blake, who is both a musician and recording studio operator, had been working on recordings with Painter and Boudreau and recommended drummer Marc Provencher. That completed The South County Band lineup.

The band blends country and rock influences, fusing twangy guitar parts with strong, propulsive rhythms for a heartland sound to wrap around Painter’s tales of good women and no-good men. Painter’s husky tenor vocals also naturally lend themselves to music with a country sound.

The band’s newest song came ripped right from Painter’s daily life. Called “The Toughest Job (of the War),” the song is about spouses and children of soldiers. Painter sings of how waiting and wondering weigh on families left home while dads, moms, husbands and wives fight overseas.

“I’m still in the National Guard and I was ordered up for another tour. The order was eventually deleted, but just preparing to go put my whole family into a tailspin. This song really wrote itself in 20 minutes. I just looked at what was going on in my home. I have strong political thoughts on what’s going on, but I didn’t want to write a political song,” Painter said.

The band created a video to go along with the song and will be airing it online at both YouTube and the band’s MySpace site, www.myspace.com/thesouthcountyband.

Painter said the band again benefited from working with Blake on the video project.

“I told him I just wanted the video to raise awareness. Steve said, ‘OK, once the awareness is raised, then what?’ and that’s when we decided to provide links to Web sites for charitable military services,” Painter said.

The South County Band’s new release comes as the band readies for a return to the ADC, 18 Mill St., Southbridge, on Saturday when the group performs in the venue’s Mill Street Brews room.

Painter said that his guitar sat in a closet for 15 years while he got busy living life. The pace at which The South County Band came together, crafted original material, recorded its work and is lining up shows all suggests that Painter is keen on making up for lost time.
- Worcester Telegram and Gazette

Ted Painter & The South County Band
www.sonicbids.com/southcountyband

Next up is a band led by Ted Painter known as Ted Painter & The South County Band. Ted is from Oxford, MA right up the street from the Skope HQ. Ted is not only a musician but he also served in US Army. Ted is unique in the sense that he is from the North but he produces country music as if he is from TN or AL. Ted began playing in 2006 but he has done enough for many years worth. One of many of Ted’s songs that stuck out was “Lee’s Ride.” This track is off of the CD, ‘Ridin’ High’ and the rhythm, lyrics, and guitar riffs are masterful. Ted is a serious musician that will continue to excel in the country genre. He also has a show on 5/23/09 at the Lincolm Memorial in Washington, DC so it looks like he will be branching out of New England and let the country fans far and wide hear what he’s got cooking.

- Skope Magazine

Interview with Ted Painter


Ch.L.: How did you choose the title for the CD, is there a story behind it?


Ted P.: The name of my new demo/EP is Keepin’ It Real. I decided on the name because I want there to be no doubt about what kind of country music will be found on it. This is not pop country that will appeal to 13 year old girls. This is a collection of songs that will appeal to folks with some life experience who can say, “Yeah, I remember when I was in that situation“ or , “Yep, I can relate to that.“ These songs are about situations that many people have lived and can identify with ~ good, bad, and ugly. In other words, life.


Ch.L.: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding the songs for the your CD?


Ted P.: Yes I do. My songs generally illustrate my observations of human nature, relationships and current events. Marriage and kids, military experiences, crazy road trips, times and people, successes and failures, personal battles and demons, ex girlfriends and wives all make for great topics.


Ch.L.: Whom do you look up to musically and how deep do your musical roots run?


Ted P.: My influences extend from the Beatles, Stones and The Who to Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson and David Allen Coe. I also really like Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley. I grew up in a desert town in southern California during the 80s and never could really get into the music of that era so I listened to the guys who invented and revolutionized rock music. In my twenties I started really getting into country music and accidentally gravitated to 70s outlaw stuff ~ Waylon, Willie, Charlie Daniels, Kris Kristofferson, et al. There is a certain grit and a raw aspect of that music that really appeals to me both in terms of content and production.


Ch.L.: What do you think about today's Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?


Ted P.: I’m starting to get the feeling that today’s country is on the verge of a change. We are living in tough times and that’s what country music has historically been about. Let’s be honest, much of today’s country music, while very good and expertly produced, is not country music. Just because a singer wears a cowboy hat doesn’t make him or her country. “Country“ is in the lyric of the song and for “country“ to be believeable, it helps if the person delivering the lyric has actually lived through what he or she is singing about. There seems to be an undercurrent of people who want to hear country music the way it used to be and I’m not talking about re-creating or imitating Hank Williams or George Jones ~ we have their music and it will be forever a part of the legacy. However, many of the elements of their songs are missing from a lot of the newer music and I think that one of those elements is plain old honesty. I think it’s hard to believe a song about struggle or pain or living or dying when it’s delivered by someone who either didn’t write it or could not have possibly have lived the subject matter due to his or her age or limited life experience. People want to believe the music they hear and in my opinion, much (not all) of today’s country is simply so manufactured that the essence of the music and lyrics gets lost.


Ch.L.: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between „traditional“ and „new“ country music?


Ted P.: Traditional country music sounds like country music. Much of the new or contemporary “country“ music sounds like 1980s pop songs sung with an exagerated accent.


Ch.L.: Are you doing anything to take country music beyond its courrent borders or are you happy where it is?


Ted P.: Evolution is necessary. Like I said, no one wants to re-create the music of the pioneers and standard bearers. However, the elements that made their music great ~ and we know it’s great because we’re still listening to it 40, 50, and 60 years later ~ need to be re-incorporated into the mix. Honesty, honesty, honesty.


Ch.L.: What's unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?


Ted P.: What you see is what you get. You won’t see me wearing a cowboy hat simply to fit into someone’s pre-conceived idea of what a country artist should look like. I’ve never roped a steer, been on a cattle drive or ridden in a rodeo. However, I have been to jail, been married and divorced, served in two combat zones (which is far easier than divorce) jumped out of planes, climbed mountains, and had my ass kicked in a few fights (I gave up fighting, going to jail, and getting divorced years ago ~ but they still make for good song topics) . You’re more likely to see me wearing a skydiving t-shirt with faded jeans, workboots or sandles, and a frayed baseball cap.


Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?


Ted P.: Anyone interested in learning more about me and my music can go to www.myspace.com/thesouthcountyband. Song samples, CD sales and downloads, videos and bio information are all available there. I would also encourage folks to look me up on Facebook. You can simply Google search Ted Painter or follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ted-Painter/21626524715


Ch.L.: What's the best compliment a fan has ever given you?


Ted P.: “I really liked that song...I could totally relate to it.“ Anytime a song connects with someone and/or moves him or her...it doesn’t get any better than that.


Ch.L.. What message would you like to send your European fans?


Ted P.: Hey Europe! Glad to have you as part of the re-surgance, part of the growing movement to keep country real. We would love to come over and bring our real American country music to your shores. Feel free to contact us at: tedpaintersongs@yahoo.com to simply say hello, comment on our music, or to get us over there to play for you!


Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de - Country Home Living--Germany's Premier Country Music Magazine

STOLI SALUTES TED PAINTER THE MUSICIAN & SOLDIER
February 1, 2010 | by Skope Staff

Most people will not associate New England as a major hub for country music. But that does not mean there are not any quality country musicians here. My guest this week started out as an infantry officer in the US Army. After serving, Ted started playing in local open mics and before long he was opening up for Collin Raye & Buddy Jewell. This is a perfect week to get Ted Painter to come hang out as he just released a new CD, ‘Keepin’ It Real.’ With songs like, “I Wanna See You Naked” and “Drink A Lot” it’s safe to say we are in for a good time!

Stoli: Is Ted painter your real name or stage name?

Ted Painter: Both

Stoli: At what age did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

Ted Painter: 34

Stoli: There is a large country music scene in New England that people do not know about. Why is that and have you seen more music lovers open up to the genre here?

Ted Painter: I wouldn’t call it large but it does exist. The predominent attitude in New England is that folks from south of the Mason Dixon line are still trapped in the same old “southern” stereo types that have existed for years and that “country” music is therefore unsophisticated. Spending time in the south might show them otherwise. And unless we play at a specifically country venue–opening for Buddy Jewell for example–peoples initial reaction to, “Hey, I’m Ted Painter and I’m a COUNTRY music singer songwriter” is one of…well disappointment I guess. However, I love it because at that moment, I’m suddenly an ambassador for my genre. And it works. I don’t think that i’ve played a show in the last two years where people haven’t come up and said, “hey, I don’t really like country music but I loved your show and maybe I’ll have to give some of that stuff a chance.”

Stoli: You are a Veteran from the US Army. How did your time in the armed forces lead you to playing country music?

Ted Painter: As a kid I always dreamed of playing in a band and writing songs and I started to learn to play guitar but once in the Army there was simply no time. So, my guitar mocked me for many years from the confines of the many closets that I kept her in and once I left active duty it just sort of happened once I had a little more time. So, I guess the answer to the question is: My time in the armed forces did not lead me to playing music it kept me from it.

Stoli: You have been playing open mics all over the Northeast. How has these open mics helped you to help perfect your craft and introduce you to new fans?

Ted Painter: We do play a lot of open mics and we’ve found several really good 30 minute set open mics . These are great because they are low stress and they allow us a public platform where we can play new tunes, work on our “show”, and practice for bigger gigs. For example, prior to playing at the Lincoln Memorial in DC for the Rolling Thunder Bike Rally we played three months of these 30 minute sets. We did the same thing prior to opening for Collin Raye and Buddy Jewel.

These are also the perfect venues to meet new fans. We meet people all the time after we play. Folks at open mic’s never really know what they’re going to get and when they hear something unexpected, they tend to let you know by signing up on the email list, buying a cd or a round of drinks or on a really good night–all three. When people hear something they like they want to talk to the artist about it and these very casual venues are perfect for that.

Stoli: You are a father & husband. How do you balance your music aspirations and home life?

Ted Painter: It’s challenging to balance work, family and music. Bottom line, I have a very supportive spouse. Without that element, musicians either stop being musicians or they stop being married. I’m lucky.

Stoli: I love your song “Thinkin About Drinking.” If you & I were at the bar and I ordered you a drink what would you order?

Ted Painter: Thanks, man! A Bass or Sam Adams and shot of Jack Daniels

Stoli: You have received numerous rave reviews and awards in a short period of time. Does that surprise you or did you know that your music was that good?

Ted Painter: It’s always surprising to be recognized at any level in a buisness that is so saturated and so competitive. However, I do believe in my craft and in the art. Otherwise, I don’t think I could invest the time and energy that it requires.

Stoli: Most of your songs & live show are positive & high energy. Is that how you are in real life and how do you deal with lifes up & downs?

Ted Painter: I am a high energy person. But I also have a very mellow side as well. I stress over little things and tend to be very calm when the serious shit hits. My music is my alter ego I guess. I tend to be a “the glass is half empty” sort of guy and my music gives me a platform from which to be a much more positive version of myself.

Stoli: As your music catches on nationally are you planning on “Drivin’ South” or staying in New England?

Ted Painter: Can I get back to you when it catches on?;-) New England is where I happen to be due to other circumstances in my life and yes, ideally, I’ll be drivin south. If I had a nickel for everytime someone has told me to go to Nashville I could put my guitar back in the closet. I’m certainly not opposed to the idea but the cool thing about being here for the time being is that my music stands out up here. Not very many people are doing it and if they are they’re doing mostly covers. My goal is to be a songwriter and to have other folks record ‘em. If there’s a place down south for me to do this at some point, well…I would really welcome the opportunity. Right now, I’m honing my craft and enjoying making music with my very good friends John Prunier (bass guitar) and Al Polese (percussion and drums).

Stoli: Who are some country & rock artists that you really respect & admire?

Ted Painter: Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Elvis, the Beatles, Stones, the Who, David Alan Coe, Johnny Cash, Willie, Waylon, Kris Kristofferson. To name a few.

Stoli: I always loved how country music is about real-life. Where do you find inspiration for your songs & lyrics?

Ted Painter: All of my songs are based on some aspect of my life. There is some element of truth in everything I write. Rather, my songs are all true with some artistic license thrown in. Marriage and kids, military stuff, crazy road trips, times and people, successes and failures, personal battles and demons, current events, ex girl friends and wives… are all great topics to draw from in country music and i’ve had a great deal of experience with all of em. And of course, all of the people that I’ve been lucky to meet and know. They all have their own stories too and as a songwriter, sometimes all you have to do is listen. Where there’s a person there’s a story and sometimes there’s a song there somewhere. Like most people, I’ve had and am having what I’d call a full life and as a songwriter I’m lucky to be able to draw from those experiences for inspiration.

Stoli: You have been involved with To The Fallen Records and their compilations. How can readers help the troops and what do your fellow comrades feel about your music?

Ted Painter: Support what they are being asked to do. Never bad mouth a soldier and always thank any service member you see.

Stoli: What makes you most proud of being an American and how should we deal with these terrorists?

Ted Painter: I’ve been told that I have very passionate views on this topic. Suffice it to say that I am very proud of my American heritage and history and I find it unsettling that many Americans either don’t know or have forgotten that they are the luckiest people in the history of human kind. As for terrorists (chuckle)…let’s get back to the music.

Stoli: Where can readers get more from Ted Painter and what is coming up in 2010?

Ted Painter: www.myspace.com/thesouthcountyband & www.sonicbids.com/tedpainter

- Skope Magazine

INTERVIEW
Keepin' It Real: A Talk on the Countryside
by Patty Seifert

I can finally say it.. I’m a little bit country! I’ve never been all that big on country music, alright I do listen to the stuff that goes mainstream.. if its playing on the radio. I did grow up listening to artists in my home like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and such. However, until recently, I never found that one country act that pulled me in to the point where I can see myself searching through my music collection saying, “Where are those country joints? I want to listen to them!“ Or "Hey, I want to go check out this country band this weekend."

Ironically, the culprit and I have coined the same phrase for our projects. Keepin’ it Real, a part of my radio show’s branding statement and format, is also the title of Ted Painter’s newly released EP. The reason for my surprising appeal to this artist‘s music? His humor and bluntness... dare I say bold and controversial? Yes! He writes about REAL life and shares REAL secret thoughts. Thoughts and feelings we’ve all had but wouldn’t dare say out loud or make public without sugarcoating. Well, sugarcoating is not in Ted‘s vocabulary nor in his repertoire.







About Ted Painter
Hailing from Massachusetts, Ted Painter is an award winning country music singer/songwriter whose songs embrace the roots of traditional country music while incorporating contemporary country and rock influences.

Painter started writing and performing original songs at open mics in February 2006 after serving as an infantry officer in the US Army. The open mic circuit helped him to connect with other musicians, giving him the opportunity to perform as a solo artist and band frontman. Ted has played in numerous venues throughout New England, Kentucky, Virginia and Washington, DC ranging from clubs, festivals and bike rallies to open mics and local cable access TV productions.

Most recently, Ted opened for country hit maker Collin Raye and for “Nashville Star” winner and hit songwriter Buddy Jewell. Additionally, his songs have received airplay and he has performed live on independent and mainstream FM, AM and internet radio. Ted received the New England Country Music Organizations Songwriter of the year award (2008) and CD of the Year (2009) and he is also a 2007 Great American Song Contest award winner.


The Interview

Patty: You joined the local music scene in 2006 after your service to our country. Were you involved in music before this or was this the point in your life where you became more dedicated to music? What, or who, attracted you to music?

Ted: Elvis and the Beatles--what a cool job they had! As a pre-teen in the 80's I'd spend hours pretending to be these guys in front of the mirror with the stereo blasting, shades drawn, while singing loud and accompanying my vocals by masterfully playing the air guitar. I just could never get into the music of my childhood era so I grew up listening to the guys that invented and revolutionized rock music. As a teenager I traded my air guitar in for a real one but was easily discouraged when I didn't immediately pull off a Hendrix style solo or Townsend leaping windmill. I kept at it though and just when I thought I was figuring it out, I went into the Army.

Flash forward to 2006... I had been out of the army for a few years and found that same old guitar buried under a bunch of jackets in a closet. By this time I was really into the 70's outlaw country stuff - Kris Kristofferson, Waylon, Willie, Charlie Daniels along with Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait and the like - and now I had the time and discipline to really pursue what had always been a dream-- writing songs and performing. I'm still light years away from the Hendrix solo though.


Patty: Tell us what we will hear in a Ted Painter song musically and lyrically? What are your inspirations?

Ted: My songs are about real life. Musically my songs tend to be more neo traditional and less country/pop. My lyrics are very straight forward (odd for a Beatles and Dylan fan) and honest. I often throw humor into the mix and I have one or two songs that may offend someone with delicate sensibilities. My songs generally illustrate my observations of human nature, relationships, and current events. Marriage and kids, military experiences, crazy road trips, times and people, successes and failures, personal battles and demons, ex girl friends and wives (just one), all make for great topics.


Patty: You’ve received quite a bit of exposure in various medias and performed up and down the east coast, what has been the most interesting or rewarding experience that will influence your future career?

Ted: That's tough. The most personally rewarding gig I've played to date has to be the Walter Reed Army Medical Center show that we played last summer. It was a very emotional experience for all of us. To play for true American heroes who, in many cases, made life altering sacrifices regardless of their personal beliefs or politics was a great honor.


Patty: You’ve opened for Collin Raye and Buddy Jewell… what was that like?

Ted: Very cool. The Buddy Jewell show in particular. It was an intimate dinner theater venue and it gave me a unique opportunity to connect with an audience hearing my songs for the first time. This was the most stressful gig that I had played up to that point and Buddy made us feel right at home. I remember saying to Buddy before we went on, "Thanks for sharing your stage with us, Buddy" or something to that effect and he shook my hand and said, "Man, it's our stage tonight." Just a down to earth, regular guy who is a remarkable songwriter. Thanks, Buddy.


Patty: You also have a number of award recognitions under your belt, did you ever expect that? How does it make you feel and do you feel it affects you’re future musically by placing added pressure to measure up and exceed? How do you handle that?

Ted: For anyone who is really trying to make it in the music business, the pressure you put on yourself is directly proportional to your success, I think. I know it is for me in any case. Being recognized on any level is always the goal but you can’t ever sit around expecting it to happen when there are so many talented people in the race. Then when it does happen, even locally--which is where I'm at, that bar starts getting higher and so you start working harder and harder trying to get to that next level. And of course it feels great to be recognized.

A lot of passion goes into writing and when people enjoy it and are moved by it, that's really rewarding. As far as the future is concerned, I'm just trying to keep it real. As an aspiring professional writer it's easy to fall into the trap of writing for what you think some gate keeper is going to want to hear and that's when I find I just have to take a step back and ask myself if I'm being honest because even if I were fortunate enough for say, George Strait to record one of my songs, I still have to stand behind it. It would still have to be true to me.

There's a fine line between writing commercially viable songs that are honest and turning that corner and becoming something your not. Luckily, I have a supportive wife, teenage son and fellow musicians (particularly my friend and bass player, John Prunier, who never has a shortage of arrangement ideas or an occasional great line) who will never hesitate to tell me if I write something that's just crap. And that is one of the best tools a writer can have as far as I'm concerned.


Patty: Who is Ted Painter? The man behind the music.

Ted: First and foremost, I'm a family man. Does that sound canned? I guess it does but it's the truth. I’m 38, I have a great wife, two beautiful little girls and a 14 year old son and they're the priority. People observe that I write a lot of songs about drinking and fighting and raising hell but for the most part, those songs are about a guy I used to be and not so much about the guy I am now. I still have my moments but I crashed my truck many years ago and so I'm the proud owner of a sedan and mini van these days. When I get that first song covered I'll buy that truck back (Mr. Strait, I could really use that truck).

I like to run, workout, go backpacking and when time and money permit, I'll hit the slopes or skydive when the weather is just right. And of course, I have a regular job so it's all a delicate balancing act but hey, I think it was John Adams who said, "It is wonderful how much may be done if one is always doing."

For music and more information including upcoming shows, visit Ted on MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, and CDFREEDOM.
- Patty Seifert