Hammered Dulcimer National Champion Ted Yoder announces new album after viral video sensation

Hammered Dulcimer National Champion Ted Yoder has announced a new album. His video of him performing Tears For Fears monster hit “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” became a viral sensation. He is now ready to work on an album. Check out the news release below:

NEW YORK — Dec. 12, 2016 — On August 24th, Hammered Dulcimer National Champion Ted Yoder went into his quaint backyard orchard in Goshen, Indiana to perform his rendition of the Tears For Fears monster hit “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” The performance was for his web series Songs From The Orchard which broadcasts in real time via Facebook Live. The song was something he had been working on for quiet some time, but hadn’t really perfected-performing it was like walking a tightrope in front of his 200,000-plus fanbase. Turns out it would be a tightrope walk in front of millions, and it would launch him into the online stratosphere.

One hundred hours later, the video had earned 80 million views; almost double the count for the original Tears For Fears video. Casual fans of 1980s pop, Ted Yoder fans, and fans of virtuosic musicality all shared the track via Facebook. It had all the hallmarks of Ted’s approach-which fans call “Yoderizing”-it was majestic and transporting, poppy, and, in a tasteful way, showcased why Ted has been dubbed the National Champion of the hammered dulcimer. Now, with his profile bigger than ever, Ted is announcing a new album, Songs From The Orchard Volume 1. He is funding the album through an Indiegogo campaign that is currently on the precipice of exceeding its goal.

“Ever since my cover of ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ hit 80 million views on Facebook this summer, my family and I have been working hard to find a way to get more beautiful hammered dulcimer music recorded and into your hands,” Ted says. “

The album will be Ted’s sixth album and is slated for a Spring 2017 release. It will feature his stunning rendition of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World,” along with other originals and covers done with his distinctive blend of sublime melodicism and jaw-dropping instrumental prowess. The album will be produced by Grammy-nominated songwriter Mark “Gersh” Gersmehl (White Heart, Ricky Skaggs, Phil Keaggy). In addition to Ted’s lush solo performances, the album will also feature dynamic band interplay courtesy of bassist Mark Hill (Keith Urban, Reba McEntire), drummer Steve Brewster (Joey + Rory, Trace Adkins, Kenny Rogers), and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and guitarist Gordon Kennedy (Peter Frampton, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Logins) who co-wrote Eric Clapton’s hit “Change The World.” For fans that met Ted in his orchard, here’s a chance to bring his award-winning musicality home.

The Indiegogo campaign offers special incentives such as T-shirts, virtual hangouts, limited edition artwork, Orchard Concert tickets, and a vintage shredded Dulcimer from an iconic Ted Yoder photo shoot (as of this writing, this item has been sold). Just days in, the campaign was almost fully funded, and it’s looking like overage funds will yield a Christmas 2017 EP.

In less than a decade, Ted has gone from tinkering on the hammered dulcimer to releasing five studio albums, authoring a groundbreaking instructional book, teaching Skype lessons to students around the nation, and becoming an in-demand performer at community theaters, churches, and festivals. The National Hammer Dulcimer Champion has been profiled in the Kearney Hub and on NPR’s esteemed NPR All Things Considered show, among many other features, profiles, and reviews in regional and national tastemaking outlets. The story of this family man, and father of seven’s rise to prominence is as inspiring as his spiritually uplifting musicality.

In conclusion, Ted says: “Early this year I took a part time job to supplement our music income for the first time in 6 years. My whole family was fighting with me to keep the dream alive-the dream that a man could be a great musician and provide for his family at the same time. That August broadcast was the biggest truckload of hope and success we have ever seen. We’re so excited to share this recorded cover of ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World,’ along with some choice other selections. This is truly a dream come true for me and my family.”