Every time the band KING TEDDY, consisting of Mike Sottong: piano, lead vocals, Dan Rivizzigno: guitar, vocals, Moe Nelson: bass, vocals, John Rowny: drums, vocals and Henry Jessup: sax take the stage they bring a “style of swing music for the modern age” with a simple objective; make their audience tap their toes, dance and have fun.

Vizions of Rock caught up KING TEDDY before they played the iconic JV music room for a special one-on-one.

Vizions of Rock: Where did the name come from and why?

King Teddy: Mike’s brother Ted suggested it. It evokes Elvis (the King) and the British Teddy Boys of the 50’s.

Vizions of Rock: How did the band get together and how long have you been together?

King Teddy: Started with three co-workers playing at a battle of the bands at a company party.

Vizions of Rock: What is the process when writing original material, do you collaborate with each other or write solo?

King Teddy: Mike and Dan are the songwriters and write solo.

Vizions of Rock: How has the music industry changed over the years and if you could change anything about it, what would it be?

King Teddy: There are so many types and sources of entertainment vying for people’s attention that it can be hard to be noticed. How people experience music has changed the most. Live music at the local level is dying out.

Vizions of Rock: Who are your influences?

King Teddy: Louis Prima, Brian Setzer, Paul McCartney, Louis Jordan, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, and Elvis.

Vizions of Rock: How did the evolution of your music come together?

King Teddy: Mike had the idea for a band and drew from Paul McCartney covers of early rock & roll songs as well as Brian Setzer material. One of Setzer’s tunes he liked was a version of Jump, Jive & Wail. He explored the original source for that song and became a big fan of Louis Prima. Louis Prima’s songs and style (from his later small combo recordings) became the core of King Teddy’s repertoire.

Vizions of Rock: What do you enjoy most about being musicians?

King Teddy: Making people feel good and creating new material.

Vizions of Rock: What is the genre of your music and is there a message that you’re trying to communicate with it?

King Teddy: Swing, Jump Blues, & Rockabilly. No message, just want people to tap their toes, dance, and have fun.

Vizions of Rock: Your music is a tribute to the swing bands of the 40’s era, how do you think music (not the industry) but music as an art form has changed through the generations and do you like the changes?

King Teddy: Actually, our influences are more from the late 50’s & early 60’s. As one reviewer put it, the band “mines the brief period when swing was turning into early rock'n'roll”.

Music is always evolving and changing. Creative people will always strive to reach people with new ideas or different spins on old ideas. As we get older, it’s harder to relate to current popular music, but it’s no less valid.

Vizions of Rock: When you film a music video, what is the creative process there? Do you start with a vision of what you want the video to look like, or do you just film it on the fly?

King Teddy: We’ve only shot live performances.

Vizions of Rock: What advice would you give someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

King Teddy: Don’t steal our gigs!

Vizions of Rock: What is on the horizon for the future?

King Teddy: Working on new original tunes and plan to go in the studio to record them soon.

Vizions of Rock: Do you have a booking agent, who handles your touring?

King Teddy: The drummer John handles most of the booking. Don’t tour.

Vizions of Rock: What makes King Teddy unique?

King Teddy: #1 is Mike Sottong’s singing. He’s got a great voice. #2 Terrific vocal harmonies. #3 Catchy original tunes that fit seamlessly among great cover songs.

Vizions of Rock: Is there a tagline or a specific message that you would want to portray you as a band or musicians that you would want the world to know?

King Teddy: “Swing for the modern age”

Vizions of Rock: How can we find you music?

King Teddy: Spotify, iTunes, etc. pretty much everywhere.