http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/feed Website blog for www.tedgarber.com Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/the-hamilton-debrief Post Show: 1am: Dining Table, Bethesda, MD: Tonight's show was a blow out--totally sold out--almost 600 people. We opened for the World Famous, Grammy winning, Rebirth Brass Band at DC's The Hamilton. "We," meaning: My band. The Ted Garber Band. I have, without a doubt, the best team ever assembled in my consumate band mates: Tyler Buisch, Matthew Everhart, and Matt Wigler. They look sharp, they play and sing their butts off, and they bring an excitement and enthusiasm along with a new dimension to my songs that give them new life every time. A band leader can't ask for more. If you hear we're playing, don't miss it. If you can't make a show, then hire us! We are literally just ITCHING to play anywhere and everywhere, and you won't be disappointed. I guarantee it. I'm George Zimmer. Founder of the Men's Warehouse. Or something like that . . . WE LOVE YOU!--TG, Bedtime. http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/the-hamilton-debrief http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/social-media-manners-a-rant-from-a-frustrated-self-employed-artist People, please allow me to impart some basic etiquette for social media and life in general. When someone, I don't know, me, for example, posts an invite or suggestion (which, bear in mind, is my sole livelihood, my life's work, and my family's provision) the following "no" responses are welcome: "Knock 'em dead man! Can't wait to see you next month at [insert show]" or "Missing you on the West Coast, bra! Break a leg!" These type of responses indicate solidarity and support. The following responses (which I see more often than not) suck balls! "We might come to that--do you know how late their kitchen stays open [or some other venue-related question that I have no idea about]." My personal favorite: "Oh, I would come to your show, but I am already going to see [insert name of artist, venue, and how much you like them]." This would be like you working for Lockheed, and me telling you on the Lockheed summer picnic Evite page how much I prefer Boeing. Or, if you invited me to your wedding, and I wrote on your wedding website at theknot.com, "Hey, guys, CONGRATS! I'm going to be in Barbados at Tina's wedding instead, or I'd be at yours!" WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/social-media-manners-a-rant-from-a-frustrated-self-employed-artist http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/award-winning-singer-songwriter-ted-garber-returns-with-the-ultimate-holiday-album "Santa Claus Is Goin’ To Town” Out Now Washington, DC, November 6, 2012—Award-winning ‘BluesAmericanaRock’ artist Ted Garber is back with the perfect Yuletide treat. A consummate entertainer known for his passionate live performances, Garber channels his trademark energy and diverse musical influences into fresh interpretations of classic holiday songs. A renowned DC area musician, Garber performs regular sold-out shows at the prestigious Blues Alley and Strathmore, and is a two time winner of the WAMA Pop/Rock Recording of the Year. His latest seasonal offering is inspired by the numerous requests from listeners after his appearances on Washington DC-based "Sports Junkies" (106.7FM The Fan) On-Air Holiday Party. “Santa Claus Is Goin’ To Town” has a song for every occasion - from festive fun with friends, romantic mistletoe moments, office party hilarity, to sentimental family gatherings. The album is the perfect companion for Christmas. Garber, like Jimmy Buffett before him, cut his musical teeth busking on the streets of New Orleans during his college years. It should come as no surprise that his version of 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town' sounds like it would be right at home in the Crescent City’s venerable Preservation Hall Jazz Club. Accompanied by sultry horns, syncopated piano, and his own bluesy guitar riffs, Ted raises the roof on this age-old Christmas classic. On ‘Frosty the Snowman’ Ted flexes his musical muscles, re-interpreting this holiday classic as an anarchic, punk-thrash tale. ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’, on the other hand, becomes a full-throated blues throw down, with Ted channeling James Brown while accompanied by a big band and horn section. In contrast, Ted portrays his inner islander with a reggae-tinged version of ‘Let It Snow’ that wouldn’t be out of place in Kingston. No matter what your musical preference, “Santa Claus Is Goin’ To Town” has something for everyone. Born in Maryland to a musical family, Ted learned how to rock at the side of his folk musician father. His education continued at Tulane University, where the performing bug really bit him, and his wanderlust carried him to more than 30 countries on 4 continents in the ensuing years. The holidays have always been special for Ted; his first guitar performance was a rendition of ‘Silent Night’ at a Presbyterian Church in Kensington, MD. One of his family’s holiday traditions includes his mother playing a cassette of a then 7-year-old Ted singing carols accompanied on guitar by his late father. Garber says: “I wanted to record an album that reflected my holiday experiences - the nostalgia, the sentimentality, the self-reflection, families coming together, reunions, winter romances, coming home from college, the crisp, dry air, the pies and cookies, the clear starry skies and the snowstorms and snowball fights. There is just magic in the air, and it builds and builds”.                                                                                              # # #   For more information please visit www.tedgarber.com. http://www.tedgarber.com/blog/award-winning-singer-songwriter-ted-garber-returns-with-the-ultimate-holiday-album