STOLI SALUTES TED PAINTER THE MUSICIAN & SOLDIER

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