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Teddy White |
Interview by Shauna Harris
The Phenomenal Teddy White has worked with some of the biggest names in music, adding his "Drummer Extraordinaire" magic to the musical collaborations.
From entertaining loyal patrons of Kat's Cafe and Taboo 2, to contributing his musical expertise as live band director and brand ambassador of I Am Cre8Tiv Live, his musical artistry continues to touch souls.
Even with all of his accomplishment, Teddy White stays humble, and grounded by his beliefs. Let's read more about the man behind the drums.
Free Ambition: Congratulations on being named Brand Ambassador, and the Live Music Director for I AM Cre8Tiv Live. What can you tell us about your two positions with I AM Cre8Tiv Live?
Teddy White: As Brand Ambassador, I will focus on events for the record industry. Working with Jai Curry( CEO of I AM Cre8Tiv Live) has been great, I have known her for awhile. There is nobody better for the job.
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| Barbara Shaw, Teddy White, and Jai Curry |
As International music director, I'm responsible for all of songs, artists, and bands. Managing all band and artist rehearsals are some of the responsibilities. I have along with scouting for new talent in other countries.
I have been a live band director for Jazze Pha at Interscope Records.
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| Jazze Pha |
The Teddy White Band was also the house band for the Mo'nique Show.
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| Mo'nique |
There are not a lot of Black live band directors. The major ones that I respect are Ray Chew and The Crew, and The Rickey Minor Band. So I am proud to be in that small group of Blacks who are live band directors.
Follow Teddy White:
www.facebook.com/TeddyWhiteBand
@whereisteddy
YouTube
www.youtube.com/teddywhite
Free Ambition: The list of talented music artists that you have worked with is extraordinary, is there any one artist in particular that you were impressed by?
Teddy White: Akon is an artist that I really respect for the hard time he faced, at first serving prison time, while still keeping his head up.
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| Akon |
He has worked hard to be where he is, has managed to stay the same, and did not become fake. He really sticks to his word.
Puff Daddy( AKA P. Diddy) really impresses me as a producer. I really appreciate the work he puts into his projects.
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| P. Diddy |
I'm proud to say I have worked with Akon, as well as Teddy Riley & Guy, Tank, R. Kelly, Bobby Brown, and Keith Sweat.
Free Ambition: Do you think that Atlanta is still thriving as a music capital? Or has it become saturated with weak talent, looking for an easy ride?
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| Atlanta, GA |
Teddy White: Atlanta is still the "Music Mecca", people from all coasts want to come to Atlanta to create music and be discovered. Now, to address the question about the talent: The music scene is weak, period, There is a lot of bubble gum tracks by people who just threw the music together. I attended college, and studied music.
I learned to write music on a piano, and spent countless hours working on my craft. There are too many "wanna be" music artists who don't know anything about music, and that is ridiculous to all of the real musicians who actually studied music.
Free Ambition: What motivated you to leave corporate life, and pursue your music career?
Teddy White: I always knew I would have a career in music, I knew that when I majored in music at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. I did not choose a minor because I felt to work on a plan B meant that I was not serious about my success as a musician.
I did have a brief position when one of my frat brothers offered me a job position making $30,000 a year. I told them during the interview that soon as my music career took off I would leave, and I did quit under a year later. In the interview I was honest and candid, and the really respected me for that.
Free Ambition: I know that you are a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., what are the positive concepts that the Kappa Alpha Psi Brotherhood can offer a young Black male in 2014?
Teddy White: The same principles, no matter if it is your career, or the area of life you're in, you must strive to be the best and achieve.
The brotherhood teaches loyalty, consistency, focused mindset, and positivity. My son is being groomed to be a Kappa, and he is a straight A's student with a plan to achieve.
Free Ambition: Who inspires you?
Teddy White: My mother Margie, my brother Rick White, and all of my brothers and sisters. I have 5 sisters, and 3 brothers, and my parents divorced after I was born. I didn't have a father in the house growing up, so it was my brothers who taught me how to be a man.
My family has been very supportive through my whole life. I have a strong faith in God; and when you focus on God, you can accomplish anything. So I owe everything to my family and God.
Free Ambition: What is your personal style?
Teddy White: When I was in college, I was always the guy dressed in Khakis, Penny Loafers, linens... Always ironed and creased. Then, when I started playing in a band, it became very hard to look like that. I have now what you would call a urban style, although I have never owned a jersey.
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| Teddy White & Nene Leakes |
I save money, and would never spend $500 on a pair of shoes when there are people out there starving. That's not me. I'm very honest and candid, and I don't bite my tongue.
I speak what I feel is the truth. I have never smoked, I have never consumed alcohol or drugs. I like to have a clear mind.
Free Ambition: Do you have a favorite music artist of all time?
Teddy White: The music artist I admire the most is Prince. First, because he is a hard-working musician who truly loves what he does. He puts 100% into his craft. He plays all of the instruments; from the guitar licks to the bass pattern.
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| Prince |
Another reason I like prince is because his drummer is John Blackwell, who was originally under my guidance.
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| John Blackwell |
