3-2 Ted Onulak - Part 1

This episode is part one of a conversation with old friend Ted Onulak. A man of many talents, Ted is an accomplished saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, blues harpist, and band leader. His band, Exit 10, can be seen in Washington DC on Monday nights at a venue called Madam’s Organ in Adams Morgan. I went there to hear the band the night before our talk. The conversation for this episode was recorded the next day.

I’m Tim Rose and this is the Tim Tunes pod cast. In this episode Ted Onulak will tell us the story of two of his songs and we’ll discuss songwriting, performance and life, in general.

Ted is a 1st generation Ukraine-American and has asked that you reach out to United Help Ukraine on Facebook or type unitedhelpukraine.org in your browser to donate.

https://unitedhelpukraine.org/donate-to-help-save-the-people-of-ukraine

If you want to donate to support this podcast then you can do so below. 

Thanks for your support!

Transcript

[Intro]
[Intro Theme – Motor]

Welcome back! This episode is part one of a conversation with old friend Ted Onulak. A man of many talents, Ted is an accomplished saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, blues harpist, and band leader. His band, Exit 10, can be seen in Washington DC on Monday nights at a venue called Madam’s Organ in Adams Morgan. I went there to hear the band the night before our talk. The conversation for this episode was recorded the next day.


[Pod Lick – Big D]
 
[Interview - Intro Clip]

Insert Text Here

[Podlick – Dottie Lou  Intro]

What you’ve just heard is Ted playing on the intro to my song “Dottie Lou”. I always loved that intro. It really catches the mood of the song and puts the listener into the right frame of mind right off the bat. Now, let’s go back to our conversation as Ted and I discuss his band, Exit 10’s, performance from the previous night.

[Interview – Thrill 1 of 3, Thrill 2 of 3]

{I just happened to catch that solo on my little bootleg recording of the band.}

[Bootleg - Thrill Is Gone Sax Solo]

[Interview - Thrill 3 of 3]

[Pod Lick – Keys Solo]

That’s Marcus Esposito soloing on the organ there from my bootleg recording the night before our conversation. 
 

[Living Down In Richmond]

Ted and I moved on to a conversation about his song “Living Down In Richmond”

[Interview – Living Down In Richmond]

This recording of “Living Down In Richmond” is included on Exit 10’s album “Blues Noir” and features Marcus Esposito on Keyboards, Arch Alcantara on Electric Guitar, Scott McKnight on Bass and Rhythm Guitar, Jimi Jones on Drums, and, of course, Ted Onulak on Vocals and Soprano Sax. Let’s listen…

[Song – Living Down In Richmond]

Like a hungry ghost I woke up
I could not get no rest
I had so many questions
So many burdens on my chest
Lost among the shadows
 I had to put my courage to the test

I was living down in Richmond
Searching for the light
Walking through the darkness
With my dreams still shining bright
It’s so hard to keep pushing on
When your life is one big fight

I found the world around me speaking
In voices loud and clear
I learned to read with my fingers
And cross busy streets by ear
Living down in Richmond
I would conquer all my fear
 
Living down in Richmond
Searching for the light
Walking through the darkness
my hope still shining bright
It’s so hard to push on
When your life is one big fight

Teachers they all taught me
That you don’t need eyes to see
You know I met so many people
Who see far less than me
Living down in Richmond
Has finally set me free

Living down in Richmond
Searching for the light
Walking in the darkness
But my dreams are shining bright
I got to keep on moving on
Moving toward the light


[Bootleg Jam]

That’s a little solo clip from our bootleg recording of Exit 10 featuring guitarist Johnny Vengrowsky. Now let’s move on to our next song…

 
[Tango with the Devil]

[Interview – Tango With The Devil]

Now let’s listen to Ted Onulak, Marcus Esposito, Arch Alcantara, Scott McKnight, and Jimi Jones on “Tango with the Devil”

[Play Song – Tango with the Devil]

Who fills you up when you are dry?
Who gets you laid, who gets you high?

Who plays the music when you Dance?
Who knows your needs at a glance
Get your drink and come with me
You know He’s gonna set you free

(chorus)
He’s your Daddy, not your lover
She’s your mistress, not your wife
When you tango with the devil
You got a partner for life

Forget the priests and all the nuns
They’re only out to spoil your fun
Too many rules to obey
There’s got to be a better way
Grab your smokes and follow me
You know He’s gonna set you free

(Chorus)

No one said it would be easy
This crooked road is dark and sleazy
No one said it would be cheap
In fact, it’s bound to make you weep
Grab some cash and come with me
He’s never gonna set you free
(chorus)

Who buys the drinks when you are dry
Who gets you laid, who gets you high
Who plays the music when you dance
Who burns you up with hot romance
Pick up your chains and come with me
He’s never gonna set you free

[Pod Lick]


 
[Outro]

So we come to the end of Part one of our conversation with Ted Onulak. Join us next time as we conclude our conversation with Ted. Ted’s music is available on most popular music platforms. The band’s web page can be found at exit10band.com. And please head out to unitedhelpukraine.org to support Ukraine in their time of need.

Thanks for listening. 

As always you can subscribe to this podcast or stream or purchase my published music on your favorite podcast app or music source, Spotify, Pandora, Apple or Amazon. Until next time, good day!

[Outro Pod Lick]