Swing Soup was initially formed in 1998 when a corporate client in Charleston, SC was looking for a bluegrass band. The members of the popular party band, Sneakers, took the job and put together a great toe tappin' show. Band Leader Ted McKee saw an opportunity to keep moving in a direction completely different from what anyone else was doing. Inspired by some western swing bands, McKee, guitarist and lead vocalist, wrote a collection of songs with western style melodies and colorful lyrics. Ted teamed up with Rodney Stone , one of Charleston's most sought after bass players. With Rodney as Co-producer, the two arranged the songs with Mills Brothers like harmonies and a little doo-wop flavoring added in. Ronnie Williams (long time road musician) added his honky-tonk, rock and roll piano and the unique sound was coming together. They added a solid player on drums, Frank Cothran , who fits well in any band. The mix was almost finished. Ask around the Lowcountry who's the one for fiddle and Allan Thompson tops the list with his wide array of string instruments such as fiddle, Dobro, mandolin and banjo. He was just the right spice to complete the mix. Swing Soup .

The five piece band of professionals features lead vocalist and guitarist, and prolific songwriter Ted McKee born in Atlanta, GA. McKee, the uncle of pop singer, Bonnie McKee ("Trouble") comes from a long line of musicians. Although he grew up all over the world as the son of an Army officer, his family settled in Atlanta during his teens. Ted started out at 15 playing guitar in a folk duo with his brother on banjo before the boys progressed to rock and roll. Playing school dances and parties quickly led into playing in clubs and eventually hitting the road to play music after a brief stint in the Army. He traveled the country and worked the Southeast circuit with acts such as Jack Williams and John Brannen.

Every song paints a picture and the art of imagery is truly what sets Ted McKee's songs apart from the rest. His ability to write on piano or guitar in multiple genres keeps him fresh and in a constant phase of production. McKee's vocals surpass many major recording stars. think a combination of Tom Waits, Van Morrison, and Frank Sinatra.
The veteran musicians of Swing Soup have played Bluegrass, Jazz, Country, Rock, Cajun and alternative with innumerable bands such as Kansas and Bachman Turner Overdrive. Together they are a force to be reckoned with. Smooth guitar, spicy fiddle, fiery hot piano, a solid rhythm section and harmonies that will melt any ear. All these ingredients make for a soup that really swings. Swing Soup plays an eclectic blend of Western Swing, Blues, Honky-tonk, Bluegrass, Jazz and Doo Wop. ..one thing is certain, "your feet will be tappin' to the groove when you hit Swing Avenue".

SWING SOUP from Folly Beach, SC released their first CD to national acclaim. It continues to sell in a worldwide market. In 2002 The Academy of Western Artists nominated this band for Album of the Year , Best New Group of the Year , Song of the Year (Cowboy State of Mind), and Best New Male Vocalist and again for Best Group of the Year in 2003.

The bowl of music will bring you back for seconds and that's just what you'll get when Swing Soup heads back to the studio in 2005 for what promises to be the hottest soup yet. "Take songs with colorful lyrics, add two helpings of Western Swing, simmer over precise Doo Wop harmonies, and fiddle marinated in hot sauce and you've got a soup that swings!"