Labor of Love: Dan Tedesco

Singer songwriter Dan Tedesco stopped by the CME acoustic room to try out some vintage Martin guitars and run us through his new single "The Wolves Are Running Wild Tonight." We asked Dan how he got hooked on music and how he makes it his life's work in this episode of Labor of Love.

Interview with Dan Tedesco

How did the making of music become your life? How did you get your start?
I’ve been playing music, more or less, my entire life. I started on piano when I was five, followed that up with violin for a couple of years in elementary school, and at the age of 11, when I was first turned on to Eddie Van Halen, I picked up the guitar. I didn’t get really serious about songwriting until a number of years later; around the age of 19. It became really, really clear to me, after seeing a Springsteen concert, that if I wanted to have any real control over my future I had to learn to write. So that’s what I did. I taught myself to sing and started performing as a singer/songwriter.
As far as making music my career, I went all in. I quit the one real job I had for about a year and a half after college, selling recruitment advertising, and haven’t looked back since.

Who were your major influences?
Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend,Brian May, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Mike Campbell, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and John Scofield.

What guides your playing style?
I grew up playing with just a drummer. I’ve always thought that gave me a unique relationship with rhythm and syncopations. When I play, I’ll often notice myself playing something with my right hand and think, “oh yeah, that’s that snare drum fill from ______”. It’s all about the groove; especially when you play solo as I predominantly do. I was fortunate to come up in that duo format.

Martin D12-35 Natural 1968

Martin D12-35 Natural 1968, Martin D-18 Natural 1968

What's your rig?
I run my two acoustics through my pedal chain - Boss Tuner -> Ibanez Tubescreamer -> MXR Phase 90 -> Boss Delay - split into a DI (generally Radial Pro48) and a Fender HotRod Deluxe. The DI and Deluxe are blended roughly 60/40 favoring the DI. It’s a pretty wicked tone.

First guitar?
Washburn electric. Sunburst.

Current?
I’ve got a handful, but my two primary guitars are a ’96 Martin DM and a ’98 Gibson J-45. I also have a ’96 Les Paul Classic, a ’07 Telecaster and a ’98 Heritage H-575. Oh, and a 1910-1915 era Gibson A Jr. Mandolin, but that rarely gets used. It’s more of a family heirloom passed down to me from my grandfather.

Any gear you can't live without?
That ’96 Martin DM

What do you or the band have coming up? Albums?
I’ll be releasing my next full length album titled, “American Darkness”, this May and touring the greater midwest, east and west coasts.

SHOP MARTIN

Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles
Martin OXK Life is Good Ukuleles

Martin OXK Life is Good

$200.00
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1943 Acoustic Guitars

Martin D-18 Natural 1943

$37,995.00
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural Acoustic Guitars

Martin Standard Series 00-28 Spruce/East Indian Rosewood Natural

$3,400.00
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars
Martin D-18 Natural 1963 Acoustic Guitars

Martin D-18 Natural 1963

$5,600.00
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural Acoustic Guitars

Martin Custom Shop 00-18 12-Fret Natural

$3,795.00
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars
Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitars

Martin Custom Shop Authentic 000-18 1937 Stage 1 Aging Adirondack Spruce/Genuine Mahogany Natural

$6,599.00
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars
Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021 Acoustic Guitars

Martin GPC-16E Rosewood Natural 2021

$1,350.00
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars
Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023 Acoustic Guitars

Martin 000-18 Authentic 1937 Natural 2023

$4,795.00

Related Posts

Introducing | Frank Brothers Guitar Company

Introducing | Frank Brothers Guitar Company

Started by Nick, Jon, and Tim Frank in 2014, are building upon their family history of award winning music production for the next generation of performers! Together, they are building...

Read more
Marshall | 1959BJA Artist Signature Amp

Marshall | 1959BJA Artist Signature Amp

At the 2026 Super Bowl, Billie Joe stepped onto stage in front of a new amplifier: the Marshall 1959BJA Artist Signature Amp! Designed with Billie Joe Armstrong, this new amplifier...

Read more
Introducing | Asheville Music Tools

Introducing | Asheville Music Tools

Adding another chapter to the rich musical history of Western North Carolina, Asheville Music Tools is a marriage of vintage audio processing techniques and modern, high quality electronics! Asheville Music...

Read more