The GoldDiggers Ted O'Connell vocals, guitar Bob Spector lead guitar Dylan Orlando piano, mando Russell Bourne bass Rory Judge drums
Influences
Joe Ely, The Beatles, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Merle Haggard, Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Otis Redding, Roy Buchanan, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Band, The Blasters, The Jayhawks...and on bass I like the approach of players like Conrad Lozano, Roly Salley and Duck Dunn.
And I front The GoldDiggers, a band that straddles the intersection
of rock, country and rockabilly....playing original songs by the band alongside lesser known numbers by some of our favorite songwriters,
including Joe Ely, Dave Alvin, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Buddy Holly.
Featuring honky-tonk piano, twangin' guitar, and a tight rhythm section.
In the past year alone, these five brave men have individually
and collectively graced the stages of esteemed local venues like
Concord Pavilion, Bimbo's 365 Club, The Fillmore poster room,
Slim's, Cafe Du Nord, Little Fox Theatre, Sweetwater, Mystic Theatre,
Bottom of the Hill, and The Make-Out Room among others....
now these sidemen step out for a rockin' good time of their own!
In the words of Bay Area twang authority HicksWithSticks.com: "This all-Americana band does not fit into any particular style.
Their tracks include rockabilly...California twang-rock...and the folksy..."
On 4/13/08 we played on KPIG's live music show Please Stand By.
Hear why longtime Bay Area journalist and music critic Brad Kava said:
"...you know the great musicians by something called dynamics...
....and these guys, they take my breath away..."
"...it's like shifting gears in a race car..."
"...these are all originals? i'd buy that - right now i'd go home and download it"
Other recent bass playing, recording, and fill-in projects include
alt-country band Zachariah, singer-songwriter Dennis Roarick, singing cowgirl Kitty Rose, and special occasions with Country Pie.
And the above tracks "Wound Up" and "Sweet Rowena" are off
the Great Highway debut (and finale) album released in 2006.
Nice meeting you, Ted! I'm already a friend of Crooked Roads and also your producer Margrit. I just went and put in an add request for Brit Shane. Thanks! Cheers, Nusi
Hey Ted...thanks for coming to see Kitchen Fire at Peri's last night. It was great to see you! Hope to see the diggers at next gig and one of these days, play a bill together...KF
Howdy from The Billy Boys! Glad to have you at the Plough. And thanks for including us in your musical group of friends! Billy C, Billy D, Billy P, Billy W and Billy K
Ay Ted! great to see you tonight! Glad you enjoyed Pillowface. Keep in touch, and let's play a show 2gether sooooon. I hope you forgive my bass playing!)
Hey Ted, howzitgoin'? Just saw Bob last night, helpin' us out (Pillowface -- I'm playing bass) at Red Devil last night. You know me, always got something going on. Playing with Van Halen tribute band at Red Devil friday 2/1. Come on through. (we played two shows at NAMM. They went great! I love playing that stuff. It's like rollercoasters for your fingers.
hey man long time and no talk...how are things? lets do a show up here and sac soon...fox and goose....what all do have going on? be well!!!!!!!!! alex
Ted O'Connell
Hey, hope you are doing well......i've got a busy couple of months coming up. I'm touring the UK for the first time in June with Kevin Montgomery, and then right back to New York for a show at the Lincoln Center on the 29th with the Texas Playboys.
I hear my name is originally English.........."All-sup"-meaning everyone raise their glasses and drink up!!! It took me 75 years, but i'm finally making there.
Anyway, here is a video about the tour, and with some footage from last year in Crete at Songs in the Sun-Crete--you can see it on youtube here www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWCZkbJM3rg, or by going to my myspace.
Take care, and hope to see you soon.
Tommy
yeah man i am loving playing bass! (i'm excited for the marilyns show.) by the way i love your music selections on your myspace page! hope you are well!
Whussup Ted? I miss the 'warm' city of san fran -- what's shakin' out there? I'm on the road with the bass monsters, strategically hitting all of the very coldest spots in the country.
You look like you're staying nicely busy!
--j
