Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/ bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today, we’d like to shine the spotlight on Ted Russell Kamp!
Ted Russell Kamp has been a professional bass player, singer songwriter and producer for the last 20 years. Rolling Stone has called Kamp an MVP of the California Roots Music scene. Aside from being a singer/songwriter and artist in his own right and releasing 13 albums of original material, he has been a member of the Shooter Jennings band for over 15 years and recorded and played with countless other artists including Duff McKagan, Wilson Phillips, Jessi Colter, Marilyn Manson and many more. Ted also got his first Grammy this last year for playing bass on the new Tanya Tucker record which won the Grammy for Country Music album of the year. Ted’s record Down In The Den, came out in July 2020 was featured in Rolling Stone Country, American Songwriter and on the Sirius XM Outlaw channel and debuted at #1 on the EuroAmericana Radio chart. Ted’s newest record Solitaire came out on May 7, 2021, received critical acclaim and also debuted at #1 on the EuroAmericana Radio Chart. Ted is also a proud member of the Stream Team!
Some people know it’s when they hear a classic album or see someone perform. Do you know when you were bitten by the music bug and knew this was your path?
I started playing trumpet in school in the 4th grade and really liked it. Then I got a bass guitar and started playing in rock bands with friends in the 9th grade and that upped the ante. Then, a show I remember that completely blew my mind where I had that a-ha moment was seeing Jackson Browne at Radio City Music Hall when I was maybe 17 or 18.
What was your first recording experience like?
I was in college and was in a bunch of bands as well as being a college DJ. Our college radio station was putting together a compilation CD of the student bands and I ended up having three of my bands be on that comp. I remember bringing my rock band to the only local recording studio. I remember being very nervous about our performance. I also remember not liking any of the tones the engineer was getting and being really frustrated that I didn’t know how to ask how to make specific things better. I think about all of the recording I’ve done since, and there are great and easy (and inoffensive) ways to recommend changes about the snare drum tone, or the reverb, or the mic choices, etc. If I only knew then what I know now. But we played well and even though they aren’t the greatest sounding recordings, I still have that CD and it’s a great memory of those times.
Growing up, we’re the you the class clown or the ham wanting to the the center of attention? Maybe you were the shy introvert?
I was pretty shy until late in high school. I was definitely the shy nerdy band geek. It wasn’t until everyone in high school started seeing my rock bands play (and thankfully liking them) that I started to get more confidence.
What was the first album that you bought with your very own money?
The 45 of “Alice’s Restaurant.” It’s such a long song that it was on both sides of the single. Side A had the first 3 or 4 minutes and then it faded out. Then on side B, it faded in and continued.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
I had a few! I always like the sexy librarian or intellectual type – so it was Mackenzie Phillips on One Day at a Time, Ms Kotter on Welcome Back, Kotter, Bailey on WKRP in Cincinnati and Kate Jackson from Charlie’s Angels. I also remember getting into the band Heart when I was in high school and Nancy Wilson was just so sexy and cool and talented.
What is your all-time favorite cartoon?
Either Peanuts or Bloom County.
