Ted Hoffman

9

I'm 61 years old... I started playing guitar when I was 13. That doesn't mean I'm actually proficient, but it doesn't mean I'm not, either. I can't play as well as I can play, and if that sounds strange, I'm a Parkinson's sufferer. The disease has robbed me of some of the abilities I had prior to developing PD. I keep hoping one day to be able to get more back through some medical breakthrough, but I'm not holding my breath yet.

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music gives one wings. It's like humor, or editorial opinion journalism in that sense, it gives you power over that which confronts you...and it also gives you power to support that which you find to be positive.

What is your music dream?

Playing a four hour gig with two songs worth of material in my underwear. Oh, I thought you meant a literal dream... I guess that was more of a nightmare. My music dream? To get my songs recorded for some form of posterity.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Most of the world's problems, when you think about it, are some form of distribution problem. Making sure everyone had the basic necessities - food, clean water, shelter, etc, Problems arise when it's not distributed evenly. Solve that, then you can set about solving other things

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Lots.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder are very prominent. A lot of Blues artists...too numerous to mention. I like just about anything done well, from Coltrane to Conway Twitty. I love Johnny Cash, The Who, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Carlos Santana, Yes, Anoushka Shankar, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields...

What inspires you to make music?

Melodies popping into my head - just the thought of creating something and trying to get it to sound the way I picture it.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

The message varies with the song.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

When it's good, there is nothing better in the universe. When it's bad, there is nothing worse.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

It seems as though there has always been a dichotomy ...you can either play for the sake of your art, or you can play to make money. Neither work very well. There are some amazing musicians out there. My advice is to find whatever aspect of it you shine at and maximize it.

What do you think of Drooble?

The vote is still out yet, so far it seems cool. I'm not sure aiming at other musicians is the best idea.. that's like Colgate Palmolive trying to sell soap to Proctor and Gamble, or Ford trying to sell cars to Toyota. Drooble is sort of a silly name - kinda halfway between "drool" and "dribble". LOL

What frustrates you most as a musician?

"Play Freebird!!!"

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I try to. I like to go hear live music often.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Be young, good looking, and sing like someone who won "The Voice". I'm not close on any of those.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Nanette Malher. Listen to her song "The Timber Cries" if you can find it. Local Kansas City gal Nicole Springer. I FOUND IT!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ApgO0snDf0