BIO
Ted (Teddy Midnite) McKee , heads up 10 different acts of various genres including Sneakers (Variety), Swing Soup (Western Swing), Teddy Midnite (Solo Piano), McKee & Stone Island Duo, Wing Walker (Jazz), Moon Dawg (Rock), Blue Skye Band (Country), Bojama Blues and Boss Hawg (Bluegrass). In addition to playing live gigs 6 to 7 nights a week (sometimes 2 or 3 in one day), he finds time to write songs, arrange music, record in his own studio and keep a slight hand in the financial planning business that allowed him to ditch the coat and tie. McKee, born in Atlanta to an Army Officer grew up traveling the world. He comes from a long line of musicians and started playing guitar at 13 in a folk duo with his brother before the boys progressed to rock and roll. He played his first club gig at age 14 at The Branding Iron, a notorious dive in Ft. Smith, AR. After he finished high school in Atlanta, Ted attended college in Georgia and did a brief stint in the US Army. Still playing music, Ted moved to the Lowcountry in the 70’s after time on the road with noteworthy songwriters like John Brannen and Jack Williams. Their influences are evident in many of his earlier works. Through his career, Ted has developed an intricate style of composing in different musical genres. Primarily a guitarist, Ted taught himself to play piano several years ago. With his boundless talent he was soon booked as "Teddy Midnite", a name given to him by the late sax player, Robert Pfaeler. Along the way Ted’s natural curiosity about music has allowed him to dive headfirst into a variety of projects. In 2002 The Academy of Western Music nominated Ted and his western swing band “Swing Soup” for multiple awards including Best New Male Vocalist, Best Group (again in 2003), Best Song of the Year for “Cowboy State of Mind”, and Album of the Year. Ted’s album, “Ritual” (2005) is an endeavor into the Spiritual energy of the Universe. Ritual is a compilation of songs about Mother Nature, Goddesses, and a variety of beliefs considered to be New Age. The Celtic & Native American rhythms are a slight departure from his 2001 release, “The Restless Ones” which is a jazz rock fusion album. All 3 of these CD’s are also available on CD Baby or direct from the artist at www.teddymidnite.com.
The line of musical notes doesn’t stop with Ted. His niece, Bonnie McKee, recently on tour with Ryan Adams, signed a multi-million dollar deal with Reprise when she was still in her teens. Bonnie has an album of all original tunes called “Trouble” that has found a niche on pop stations worldwide. Ted’s oldest brother, Bill McKee was one of the band members in a group called “Christopher” (think “Cream”), who’s LP has become one of the most collectible albums in the world. (Original vinyl copies of Christopher’s LP “What’cha Gonna Do” are valued at $2000 and up.) The record was first produced in 1969 by a band of University of South Carolina students who broke all the rules performing psychedelic rock music for political and military functions. In 1999, the album was released as a CD in the UK to a new wave of fans thereby making the original LP a rarity.
His recent performances on the road include The Red Light Café in Atlanta and the famous George’s Majestic Lounge in Arkansas. In 2007, Ted was selected by Narrative Music as a featured songwriter in the tradition of Van Morrison. Last spring, his song “Blues in My Pocket” was selected for airplay on BLUZZRADIO heard worldwide. Currently Ted resides on John’s Island, the 4th largest island on the East coast. He spends his time creating new music with friends in his studio or performing live for private events at Kiawah and other resorts. He plays publicly at Charleston venues such as Sunfire Grill & Bistro, Necter Bar & Grill, Coconut Joe’s, The Sand Dollar & dd Peckers Wing Shack. When he’s not playing 5-6 nights a week, Teddy enjoys hiking and traveling with his girlfriend and promoter, Skye Ocean.
The next project on Teddy Midnite's radar is a follow-up to the highly acclaimed “Swing Soup”. (See reviews below)
PRESS
Swing Soup CD Review by Mike Gross / WVOF-FM / Fairfield, CT
“The beautiful SC beach country is home to a new and very enjoyable Western Swing band called Swing Soup. They have recorded a fine album of 11 original tunes, all written by the band’s very talented lead vocalist, guitar and mandolin player and album co-producer, Ted McKee.”
“The album opens with a very swinging Magic in the Moonlight and then goes to a smooth local Western Swing atmosphere for Where the Blue Heron Flies. The album contains touches of all moods of western Swing but still stays beautifully in the genre…The final tune is a dandy with a southwest theme titled Cowboy State of Mind.”
Swing Soup CD Review by Joe Baker / KWES FM / Ruidoso, NM
“I can remember the first time I ever heard this style of “Swing” music several years ago, I was introduced to a sensational group called Hot Club of Cowtown. SWING SOUP has a distinctive and refreshing up beat style, all their own. My ears really perk up when I hear swingin’ original music. There’s no standard cuts on this CD, folks. My very first thought as I heard this CD was “Lookout for Number Two!” I am very impressed with SWING SOUP as this great group finds a place on Joe Baker’s Back-forty Bunkhouse Show. The self-titled CD “Swing Soup” needs to be in your library today.”
RITUAL CD Review from Charleston’s Free Time ©2006
“Uncompromising in his music as ever, Ted McKee’s latest release, entitled Ritual is a universal leap from his previous commercial works. Ritual is a compilation of 10 songs with an expressive look at the many philosophies that encompass spirituality set to a variety of Celtic, Rock and Native American rhythms. The diverse Pagan flavored melodies make every track worth its own mention.”
Review of Ted McKee by Col. Tamar Alexia Fleishman © 2007 Southern Fried Magazine
“You can’t get more Southern than Ted McKee: his South Carolina ancestor, George Haynsworth, fired the first shot of the Civil War (over Ft. Sumter). Ted’s acoustic guitar has a rootsy-Americana feel, with a good deal of bluegrass influence. You can definitely hear this in songs like “Hummingbird Express”. Ted is certainly versatile: he plays guitar, piano, flute, bass and pennywhistle. In addition to his solo work, Ted plays in 8 (!) bands of different musical genres.”
DISCOGRAPHY
2000 – THE RESTLESS ONES*
2001 – TED & EDDIE LIVE
2002 – SWING SOUP*
2003 – MCKEE& STONE
2005 – RITUAL*
2007 – TEDDY MIDNITE*
* These CD’s available on-line at www.cdbaby.com
VIEW TEDDY MIDNITE’S CALENDAR AT www.teddymidnite.com
Email: teddy@teddymidnite.com
www.myspace.com/tedmckee
www.sonicbids.com/teddymidnite
www.swingsoup.com
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