Ted Newman (singer)

Newman was born in South Dakota, spent much of his childhood in Wyoming, and then moved to Arizona.[4] He attended Holbrook High School for three years and then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he attended North Phoenix High School. He played quarterback at Holbrook,[5] and was a celebrated fullback for North Phoenix High.[6][7] He also performed and sang baritone solos for his high school's A Cappella Choir.[8] In 1957, The Arizona Republic reported that he was voted Most Outstanding Senior (male) at his high school.[9]

While still in high school, Newman got his start in the music business recording a few jingles for local commercials.[10] During his senior year he recorded the single "Plaything" (written by Henry and Samuel Underwood) b/w "Unlucky Me" (written by Connie Conway) with Rev Records at Ramsey's Recording Studio (later Audio Recorders).[11] The single sold 20,000 copies in the first ten days.[12][13] After two and a half weeks it sold 100,000 copies, and eventually over 250,000 copies were purchased. In 1957, "Plaything" peaked at No. 45 on the Billboard Top 100. Building on his chart success, Newman performed on Dick Clark's American Bandstand,[14] the Guy Mitchell Show, and The Milt Grant Show.[15] He also opened for Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins on a six-week tour of Texas. His follow up album with Rev Records, "I Double Dare You" was considered a "flop".[16] He later recorded "Why Did You Break My Heart?" b/w "It's Hot in Here" and "Brigette" b/w 'Hey Little Freshman" with RCA Victor.[17][18][19]

Newman attended Arizona State University (ASU) on a football scholarship, but the NCAA prohibited student athletes on scholarships from collecting income from outside sources. Due to the success of "Plaything", he was already making money with his music. For this reason, and a knee injury, Newman chose to stop playing football and pursue his music career.[4][20][21][22]

While at ASU, Newman was part of a folk-song trio, the Balladeers, with fellow singers John Southern and Toby Constance.[23]

In 1960, Newman and two fellow ASU students decided to tour the world with their stringed instruments. Newman sold one of his guitars and an amplifier to help fund their six-month trip. Newman played guitar, John Southern played the banjo, and Ron Iverson provided vocals. They started out with $160 cash and paid for their rest of their travel expenses by performing and finding money-making opportunities along the way.[24] While in Spain, he recorded an album which made 17,400 pesetas, which was equal to about US$300. He also spent a week working as a coal miner in Cologne, Germany.[25]

During Christmas break, Newman worked at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel as a host taking care of children and teens whose parents were vacationing there. He took them on desert picnics, swimming parties, and other events.[26]

In 2012, the Arizona Historical Society named him as one of 100 Arizona Culture Keepers for the Arizona Centennial.[41]

[18]

Two of Newman's Rev Records recordings, "Plaything" and "None of Your Tears" have been licensed by Fervor Records to television shows. His song "None of Your Tears" was played on episode 110 of the show Killing Kennedy, on the National Geographic channel. His song, "Plaything" was played on episode 205 of the show Wynonna Earp on the SyFy channel.[42]