Theodore "Ted" C. Sweeney

May 9, 1954 – December 18, 2022

Ted Sweeney, age 68, died Sunday morning, December 18, 2022, at his home in Lakeway, Texas, from cardiac arrest. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Diane Sweeney; daughter, McKenna Sweeney; brother, Jeff Sweeney; and niece, Julia Sweeney. He was a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and preceded in death by his parents, Edith “Paddy” and Leon “Duke” Sweeney.

Ted fell in love with music and playing bass as a young child. He achieved his dreams and went on to become a professional musician. He traveled the world with countless bands as both a member and freelance artist, some of which is listed below. He was co-owner of Austin Music Producers, and a union member of the AFM Local 433. Those who knew Ted, knew that only one thing came before music and that was his family. His wife and daughter were the most meaningful part of his life. He always said he loved being home with his girls. Ted was a Green Bay Packers fan, dog lover, and a big foodie. He loved to make an event of every meal. Ted was an incredible husband, amazing father, and loyal friend. He will be greatly missed by many.

Ted was a bass guitarist and studio session player who played with various and very diverse styles of music for over 54 years. He studied at the University of Wisconsin with professors James “Doc” Cheetham and Richard Davis while performing with the Experimental, Improvisational Black Music Ensemble. He played Reno and Las Vegas cabarets before moving to Houston in 1979, where he worked with Isaac Peyton Sweat (“Cotton-Eyed Joe”) among others. In 1983 he joined the Austin Chronicle award-winning, funk/fusion band Extreme Heat, and was voted one of Austin’s top bass players during his five years with the group. He was the bassist for Houston’s Rockefellers’ house band, Coupe de Ville, sharing the stage with major touring acts such as the Neville Brothers, Tower of Power, Koko Taylor, and the Radiators. He was the rhythm-section bassist for John Lee Hooker, Stanley Clarke, Dr. John, “Screamin” Jay Hawkins, Tony Joe White, and other artists touring Texas. He has toured nationally and internationally with artists John Mooney (New Orleans), Jon Cleary (New Orleans), Tom Principato (Washington D.C.), Mason Ruffner (“Gypsy Blood”), Greg “Fingers” Taylor (Jimmy Buffet), including shows with Carlos Santana in San Francisco, and Bobby Boyd (Nashville). Ted was sideman to the Blues Brothers Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi playing at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. Ted worked with Lee Roy Parnell, Rob Roy Parnell, Alan Haynes, Clifford Scott (Bill Dogget’s “Honky Tonk”), Rotel & the Hot Tomatoes, Duck Soup, Willie Nelson, Tish Hinojosa, Jimmy LaFave, Rusty Wier, Papa Mali and the Instigators, Frankie Avalon, The Tokens, Hotcakes, Forlini & Cross, Julieann Banks, Mark Hallman, Van Wilks, and Duke Jupiter, to name some. In Austin, he recorded various CDs, demos and jingles in the city’s top recording studios. He had been endorsed by Elixir strings since 2002.

The family would like to thank Ted’s wonderful doctors, nurses and specialty pharmacists at Baylor Scott & White and ARC, in addition to the Lakeway EMS and fire departments for their care.

A celebration of Ted’s life is planned for Sunday, February 12, at Vintage Villas, Travis Room, 4209 Eck Lane, Austin, Texas 78734 , from 12 noon to 2:00 pm.