Ed Sweeney

Welcome to Behind the Song Music Interview Blog! In today's edition, we are thrilled to introduce you to a true luminary in the world of traditional American music, Ed Sweeney. With a remarkable career spanning over 45 years, Ed has not only delved deep into the realms of research, learning, and performance but has also dedicated himself to teaching the rich heritage of American music. His music has resonated with a diverse global audience, finding its way onto NPR, hundreds of radio stations, and online networks worldwide. Notably, Ed's compositions have left their mark in acclaimed documentaries by the likes of Ken Burns and Christian De Renzendes, as well as gracing television soundtracks. To top it off, his music can be enjoyed by visitors at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland Tokyo. Ed's versatility shines as he effortlessly navigates a wide-ranging repertoire, spanning 6- and 12-string guitar, 5-string banjo, and fretless banjo, in a multitude of venues, from theaters and coffee houses to schools, clubs, festivals, and intimate house concerts. Join us as we delve into the captivating journey of Ed Sweeney, whose performances and recordings have garnered acclaim not only in the United States but also across Canada, Europe, and Asia.

For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it?! If three words just aren't enough, then tell us more! My music reaches a diverse audience. Through NPR or on the hundreds of radio stations and on-line networks around the world. My music is included in documentaries by Ken Burns and Christian De Renzendes, as well as television soundtracks and is currently played in Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, & Disneyland Tokyo.

What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else? Tell us why: I enjoy meeting new people. I enjoy hearing new stories and learning new songs. I am lucky enough to perform what I enjoy in front of an audience and/or microphone. It is the interaction between musician and audience that I enjoy most. It is both nerve racking and satisfying.

Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you? Being in a studio is humbling. Everything is magnified. When I listen back to what I recorded I realize that is what I sound like. It isn't usually how I think I sound. But it is incredibly fun. I view my process in recording as making a puzzle and then putting the puzzle together. Lots of choices.

Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?

The ability to access and hear so much music today is stunning. Not to sound too old, but in 70s and 80s the amount of physical traveling in order for people to hear your music was stunning. As an example, I used to drive 60,000 - 80,000 miles performing across the US and Canada for people to hear me. I went to Taiwan to perform (with my friend Yang Wei) in 2014. We have several hundreds of fans who heard us on YouTube before I set foot in the first venue. I easily keep in touch with many of those people digitally. Just amazing.

Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year? This past October I released a new recording A Sunday Drive. I am taking a little time to promote the new recording as well as trying to focus on the next one. Most of my recording projects have been done piece meal. I will record one or two things then a couple of months later record another couple of tracks. Right now I am working on a variety of both instrumentals and old songs. Right now the theme is undirected.

Tell us where fans can access your music. Please visit Ed Sweeney's website for more information.

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