Company History
Ted Schmidt & Associates, Inc. represents nationally known entertainers and musicians to the corporate, fund raising, and public venue markets. We are a commissioned agent for most of the acts we represent. We will also act as a producer for the buyer who wishes to be assured that all rider requirements are met without financial (or other) surprises.
Ted Schmidt founded the company in 1987. His grandfather played first clarinet for the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Arturo Tuscani, and his father played for Benny Goodman, and Tommy Dorsey. Later his father started Peter Duchin's musical organization. Ted's early years in the business (1960's and 3+ years old) were spent viewing the rehearsals of Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, the Fifth Dimension, and Hildegarde from a site line below the table tops of the venue. In 1965, his first paid gig in the business consisted of running for sodas and sandwiches for the staff of the Inaugural Ball committee for the Inaugural of President Lyndon Johnson in Washington, DC. Years later, during the Carter Inaugural, Ted would be assigned to Aretha Franklin.
After earning a degree in Finance at the University of Florida in 1979, Ted succeeded his father with the Duchin organization. During this time, Ted worked as the producer and/or agent for events which included the services of Cher, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Willie Nelson and many others.
Today, the company is licensed by the State of Florida as a Talent Agency (License # TA0000268), but also specializes in management, and entertainment production on a national basis.