Ted Lehman

Artist description
After spending most of my life writing and recording music I find that I have a rather large archive of recorded material. Many of these songs I would like to re-record at some time. Many of these recordings were done before I had all the right equipment, spicifically drums, amps and effects, as a result most of these songs were done without percussion, many with out electric guitars or keyboards. I like to call them "Ted Unplugged. I also plan to add a good deal of live tracks recorded in clubs when I was fronting "Pepperwood Greene". I believe that all the songs I plan to post stand up very well on their own, no matter when they were recorded. Of coarse I am always working on new music and that will be posted as well as soon as it is recorded. As a songwriter first and performer and recording artist second it is my hope that other artists would like to cover these songs and add their talent and their vision to my compositions." Thanks for listening... TL

Music Style
Singer/songwriter, Classic Rock, Blues, Country, R & B, Pop, Folk, Blugrass

Musical Influences
The Beatles, Frank Zappa, The eagles, Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Little Feat, ZZ Top, Allman Bros., Spirit, The Doors, Jimmy Hendrix,

Similar Artists
CSN, Little Feat, Eric Clapton, Steve Goodman, ZZ Top, Jimmy Hendrix, Santana, Jackson Brown, The Eagles,

Artist History
Ted Lehman has been writing & playing music for most of his life. In the seventies he fronted a band called "Pepperwood Greene". Based out of Buffalo NY, PG was a vehicle for songwriters to produce their music. In the 6 years that PG existed, over 25 artists and songwriters participated. Sometimes gigs were for the entire ensemble in major clubs in western NY and sometimes the group would work folk and acoustic clubs, with out drums, or bass, or other PG members, depending on the venue and the fee. At the time there were only a handful of bands playing original material in western NY. "Pepperwood Greene" was considered an artist's band. Most of the cover bands working the Buffalo area at that time would go see PG gigs to learn more about writing and producing original songs. After leaving Buffalo and PG, in 78 Ted moved to Atlanta and, worked alone for a number of years writing and recording demos at home. It wasn't until the mid 80's that Ted began to work with another artist again. Along with Randy Bishop they formed Lehman-Bishop Ltd. With the advent of MP3.com LBL has been Ted's & Randy's most successful songwriting efforts to date."With the success of LBL, I finally thought it was time to share some of my solo efforts with the MP3.com community and the world."

Group Members
Ted Lehman

Instruments
Ted Lehman writes & performs all tracks guitars, bass, keyboards, harmonica, and vocals except where noted*

Location
Lawrenceville, Ga - USA

Chaz the Spaz
Ted, you've been involved with many projects on MP3.com, how important do you view promoting the site, especially since the recent changes?

Ted Lehman
Well Chaz, you are tight I have had some extreamly successful programs and promotions on the MP3.com site. Most of my success in generating covers of my songs or raising money for charity has involved the message boards.
I have not been participating on the BB's and have halted my promotions there in 2003 due to my frustration regarding how the BB's are managed. I find it impossible to accomplish anything relevant there.
As to your question about promoting the MP3.com site, that is something I have never done. I believe it is MP3,com's job to promote the site in general, which they basically do not do.
As an artist it is my job to promote my artist page there by giving MP3.com some exposure. I have never looked to MP3.com to generate listeners for me, even though they are pefrectly capable if they'd want to. They just do not generate many listeners, mostly artists.

Chaz the Spaz
Thank you Ted, you read between the lines and answered the hidden question. Perhaps, with new owners the site will be infused with a better strategy for success.

Ted Lehman
So I done good?

Anonymous
Now that is really funny.ALL they are interested in is $$$$.What makes you think it will be any different with a new owner?You are really dreaming in Technicolor man.Wake up and hit the streets,there is nothing happening in this environment.You are better off playing on a street-corner than trying to make it on any omd.WAKE UP!!

Ted Lehman
You are really dreaming in Technicolor man.Wake up and hit the streets,there is nothing happening in this environment.You are better off playing on a street-corner than trying to make it on any omd.WAKE UP!!
Well I think you should wake up. It makes perfect business sence to have your music available for world wide distribution either by CD or in some cases for pay DL.
Only the immature ever believed they would make it off the internet. However many have made or networked connections through the internet that have been helpful to their musical careers.
The web and OMD's are just another resourse for artists to make contacts get exposure or research opportunities.

Chaz the Spaz
Sure, you're not going to be a big star hanging out on OMD messageboards, but the future is happening right now. Sending music through the internet for millions to enjoy, will certainly cause the recording industry to change their business model.

Ted Lehman
The web is a tool, a resource, nothing more nothing less.

Anonymous
The web is a tool,the omd's are a rip off,catering to dreamers who think they have a chance.

Ted Lehman
Who ever you are that is the fault of the artist's unrealistic expectations not the fault of the OMD.
Besides what do you care? You want to see them all closed down? You don't like them then stay away from them. You can start with this one.
Why do you linger around these BB's if these places are such a waste of time. With out the OMD's you wouldn't have a place to play your BS anon games, now would you?

Anonymous
If I save only one artists from joining any omd,then I have done my job.

Ted Lehman
Well then you are just a Superman
What can I say?

hoj
Hey Ted... I remember you from here many moons ago. Good to see you're still out there.

Ted Lehman
Well RH, I am barely here, but yes here nonetheless....
This place is really not a great enviornment for much these days. SOPHIE says she's going to clean it up. I'm not holdong my breath.
Where you been?

hoj
Eh... I got fed up with the whole thing about two years ago and concentrated on some other things for a while. Hard to ignore the old six string forever though.
I do see what you mean about this place. I remember things being quite different back in the day here.

Chaz the Spaz
Ted, did you know there is an atom bomb underwater off the coast of Georgia? Tybee Bomb

Ted Lehman
Dam now that is a question Chaz. It is topical intuitive exciting and most of all relivant to what we are all here for.
So my answer is...........
No, should I?

Ranter
I frequently make the trip down there, the radiation helps me find my Muse... Several of my hits songs have been written knowing I could be vaporized at any minute...whatever works eh?

Ted Lehman
Now here's why I deserve way more interview time...

Chaz the Spaz
"I want my MP3", seems to be your most relevent song, would you consider picking up the tempo a little bit to reflect the fast-paced internet medium?

Ted Lehman
Actually, if I were to rerecord it maybe I could pick up the tempo. However generally I do not rerecord my tunes unless I manage to get a live version.
Interestingly enough IWANT MY MP3 has been covered by 3 other artists and all of the recordings have been at about the same tempo. Go to TED's COVERS RADIO and hear Bob Greenwade, Mouth Reliant, & Tessie and the Chromosomes covers of that tune. I think the covers are quite interesting.

Chaz the Spaz
Hi Ted, I just got in from work and I'm checking out todays responses. There is still a question you haven't answered. I'm sure some people would be interested who's songs you have played and what artist collabs.

Ted Lehman
Well Chaz I have covered, Mike Savage, and Rhonda Watson, I also have a really fun cover posted of 2 Joni Mitchel songs. I have collaborated with The Tarotkid (Eric Steffensen) and Don Campbel, and have jammed with the Luddites.

Chaz the Spaz
How did you first become interested in music?

Ted Lehman
I always was interested in music. My family used to sing songs in the car when we went places as a kid. My Dad has a good voice a natural singer, can pick out harmonies by ear. He played the ukelale and do sing-a-longs at family gatherings when I was a kid.
I was in chorus in school and that's where I learned about putting all the parts of the song together to make it work.
I never really learned to read music though. Never had the patience. But I had a natural ability. I taught myself the guitar and for a long time I'd play 45's and learn leads note for note off the record. I'd play and sing in my room as a teenager and eventually bagan starting bands.
I started writing songs as a freshman in High School and found the creative experience of writing very fulfilling.

Chaz the Spaz
You list Zappa as a musical influence, which Zappa album do you consider most influencial?

Ted Lehman
Ask an easy question why don'cha?
I got turned on to Zappa in High School with the Live at the Filmore (white) album with Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylen aka the Turtles) doing the vocals. I was floored by the arrangements and how Zappa used the vocals to weave intricate musical theams that normally would be done by instruments such as horns or strings. Then I began exploring Zappa's catalog of other albums. The guy was just amazing, his sense of humor his ability to expose a listener to many genres and have fun doing it. I've said it many times he was one of the pioneers of indie music, running his own record company, publishing , and marketing. We all could learn much from Zappa the artist and business man.

Chaz the Spaz
What are your goals and what do you have planned for your music?

Ted Lehman
Well Chaz, I would like to have more time for my music. I would still like to encourage young artists to cover my songs, to license my songs for film and TV.
I would like to do a little local performing at some point when I have the time and of coarse I'd like to continue writing and recording and collaborating with other artists.

Chaz the Spaz
Practice makes perfect, do you practice?

Ted Lehman
Actually not near enough Chaz. When you're not out performing, there really isn't much to practice. I try to play a few hours a week when I am not writing or recording. This year has been real tough, with family obligations, a bad business climate and a bum shoulder that I recently had surgery on, I haven't played hardly at all. That however is about to change. Randy Bishop and I are about to get back into a once a week writing and recording mode. The way that works is we get together once a week and write or record, then do other tasks seperately when we are not together. Like get the idea for a song, get a basic sketch and then work in it at home and bring our ideas back the following week untill we have a song we want to record. Once we start recording every week we make rough cassettes of our prograss so we can practice our parts at home for the next session. When we are doing stuff like this I wind up playing 4 -5 days a week.

7mama
how are planning to finish out this year?

Ted Lehman
On a high note!!!!!!!

  -- Rick Munarriz

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