'Ready, Teddy ... Go!'

Every once in a while an authentic grassroots buzz is born at the fingertips of a vastly talented musician. Using nothing but an undeniable charm and an unstoppable musical mind, Teddy Geiger has captivated a frenzy of fans worthy of the most mainstream artists.

One listen to Teddy's raspy voice and it's easy to see where this buzz comes from. At 16, Teddy writes songs that wear the weathered heart of an artist whose insights go far beyond his years. Teddy seasons his songs with the cutting edge of new school pop and the musical sophistication of a soul informed by rock's glory days. His voice is something he has made completely his own, reminiscent of the incomparable pipes of unique artists like John Mayer, Chris Martin and Dashboard Confessional, with a touch of Cat Stevens.

Teddy, a songwriting prodigy, is a self-taught musician who wrote and arranged complete compositions on guitar and piano by age eight. Songs seem to pour from his head as instinctively as his grassroots fans (aka "Tedheads") pour into local venues to watch him perform. Using his music as his only marketing tool, Teddy has managed to generate a self-made fan base that attracts both weak-kneed teenage girls and rabid music fans hungry for meaningful rock and roll.

It was not a surprise that Teddy Geiger caught the attention of one of the music industry's most discerning ears for platinum sounds. After a national performance as of the Finalist on VH1's "In Search of the New Partridge Family," producer Billy Mann--the industry's go-to guy for artists like Sting, Pink, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, and Kelly Rowland--became Teddy's champion. Bill was so passionate about Teddy's talent that he jumped on board to secure Underage Thinking, Teddy Geiger's debut album, for release on Columbia Records.

In a case of life imitating art, Teddy was even cast in a recurring role as a rising young pop star in "Love Monkey," a recent CBS television series, based on the novel by Kyle Smith.

Chatting recently with Teddy, I first noted that he seemed to be handling all this newly-discovered fame like a seasoned pro ... how could that be?! "Well, thank you very much. I guess that’s because I don’t feel much different. I’ve been playing and writing my whole life, and I’m still doing exactly that. I’m so grateful that people enjoy it. I’m able to reach many more people now than from the days of playing in my basement. I’m just really thankful."

Your new CD title 'Underage Thinking' is quite a masterpiece of conception, but is it one you yourself originated or was that left to Columbia Records? "I came up with it. So many younger kids are associated with something negative from society. Like when you think underage, you think mischievous or underage drinking or rebellious. This album is a collection of positive expressions not only from me but about my generation as well."

If there was one track on this new album that truly encapsulated Teddy Geiger at his musical and lyrical finest, which one would it be ... and why? "'Gentlemen' is definitely my favorite. Musically it’s exactly how I wanted it to come out and lyrically it’s very close to me. I love rocking it live, too."

How did your association with the 'Love Monkey' CBS TV show come about ...? "Love Monkey was part of Sony Pictures TV and Columbia is a part of Sony. It was kinda an all in the family thing. They came to me and we all sort of realized that the character of Wayne and his story were almost identical to what I was going through. I had never acted before but always wanted to and thought I definitely had to try since Wayne was so much like me."

... and please tell us a behind-the-scenes funny secret from your time spent filming on it! "The funniest thing about filming were my co-stars. Especially Tom. He and I would get along so well and joke around so much that it was hard to keep a straight face on camera. One of the last days filming Tom had the idea to have me walk off camera then pop up in the background while they were filming another scene without me. Everyone kinda just exploded laughing."

For fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:
'Thinking Underage' - Please give me one prime example of someone thinking underage! "Thinking Underage would be thinking for yourself. A good example would be when I was making the album my mom would call every 10 minutes to make sure I was safe in new york, or eating well, resting well, taking my vitamins, etc. me being able to handle all that on my own would be “thinking underage.” I actually came up for the idea of the song after she called one day like 20 times."

'Air Dry' - After a shower, do you blow dry or air dry your hair?! "Definitely, don’t even have time to blow dry. I just get out and get moving and let the air do it."

'Possibilities' - Please name something that you would like to possibly achieve within your lifetime? "I would love to be able to be a musician forever. To just keep making music and keep having the public respond positively to it."

Please do tell us more about your moment as a Finalist on VH1s "In Search of the New Partridge Family" ... and which one of the Partridge Family were you auditioning to become?!?! "I was auditioning to become Keith. I didn’t know much about the original show, and I didn’t even really want to do it. My mom made me. I just wanted to get my voice out there and see if someone would notice. And Billy Mann did and now my mom is like, “I told you so!”

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "I’m a huge fan of all cheesy songs. But in particular, I think covering something from Man At Work or Toto would be totally fun."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "Not only do I love penguins, but I used to have an obsession with the word. I just liked the way it sounded. I used to say it so much that one christmas my family got me all penguin-themed things!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Teddy's new CD, just answer this easy question: What was the name of the character that Teddy played in 'Love Monkey'?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great new and AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before August 1st with your answer and the subject title 'TEDDY GEIGER SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net

www.teddygeigermusic.com