Ted Weems

Ted Weems
Ted Weems publicity photo
Background information
Birth name	Wilfred Theodore Wemyes
Also known as	Ted Weems
Born	(1901-09-26)September 26, 1901 Pitcairn, Pennsylvania
Origin	Philadelphia
Died	May 6, 1963(1963-05-06) (aged 61) Tulsa, Oklahoma
Genres	Jazz, big band
Occupation(s)	Bandleader
Instruments	violin, trombone
Years active	1923–1953
Labels	Victor Records, Bluebird Records, Mercury Records
Associated acts	Perry Como, Elmo Tanner, Red Ingle, Marilyn Maxwell, Joe Haymes

Wilfred Theodore (Ted) Weems (originally Wemyes) (26 September 1901 - 6 May 1963) was an American bandleader and musician. Weems' work in music was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Born in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, Weems learned to play the violin and trombone. Young Ted's start in music came when he entered a contest, hoping to win a pony. He won a violin instead and his parents arranged for music lessons. He was a graduate of Lincoln School in Pittsburgh. While still in school at Lincoln, Weems organized a band there, initially providing some instruments himself. His teacher offered young Ted and his band a penny each if they would play when the alarm sounded for fire drills. Weems kept the monies of the band and in turn charged each band member a penny for membership. He used the money to purchase better instruments than those the band started out with. When the family moved to Philadelphia, young Weems entered West Philadelphia High School. He joined the school's band and became its director.

He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he and his brother Art organized a small dance band that became the "All American Band". The brothers sought the most talented college musicians for the group. The All American Band soon started receiving offers to perform in well-known hotels throughout the United States. Weems, who had originally intended to become a civil engineer, found himself being attracted to a musical career. His band had a contract to play four weeks at a Philadelphia restaurant; the owner was able to keep Weems and his band there for four months by making Ted a partner in his business. They were one of the bands that played at the inaugural ball of President Warren Harding. Going professional in 1923, Weems toured for the MCA Corporation, recording for Victor Records. "Somebody Stole My Gal" became the band's first #1 hit in early 1924. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.

Weems was a Victor band from 1923 through 1933, although the final 3 sessions were released on Victor's newly created Bluebird label. He then signed with Columbia for 2 sessions in 1934 and subsequently signed with Decca from 1936. Weems also co-wrote several popular songs: "The Martins and the McCoys", "Jig Time", "The One-Man Band", "Three Shif'less Skonks", and "Oh, Monah!", which he co-wrote with band member "Country" Washburn.