How The Residents Tahoe Got Started
Every band has an origin story. This one’s pretty good.
It Started With a Text Message
One day Ted Kennedy decided he wanted to put a band together. Simple as that. No grand plan. No record deal. Just a guy in South Lake Tahoe who loved music and wanted to make something happen.
He sent me a message and asked if I could play drums.
I said no.
Then I said, but I can learn.
We Built It From There
That’s honestly how it started. One conversation, one crazy idea, and a whole lot of figuring it out as we went. Ted started pulling in musicians from around the South Lake Tahoe area and one by one the pieces came together.
Ted Kennedy on lead vocals and acoustic. Jon Sills on cello. Chris Seal on guitar, harmonica and fiddle. Gentry Monasmith on drums. Tanner Morgan on drums. Jeff Connor on vocals and keys. Tommy Ciccone on vocals and bass. Dan Rassp on keys, horns and everything else.
Just like that,The Residents Tahoe were born.
From Zero to the Hard Rock
Nobody starts perfect. But these guys? They figured it out fast. The talent was always there, it was just about getting everyone in the same room and letting it happen.
Before long they were playing venues across South Lake Tahoe and Stateline NV. And then came the moment that made it all real, performing live at the Hard Rock Casino on the 4th of July while fireworks lit up the sky outside.
I even got up on stage and played the cajon with them that night. One of the best nights of my life. No question.
Where I Come In
I learned drums. I practiced with the band. I played some shows with them. And somewhere along the way my role shifted into something that felt even more natural — managing the band while they do what they do best.
These guys don’t need me on stage. They need me making sure the world knows they exist. And that’s exactly what I’m here for.
What’s Next
The Residents Tahoe are just getting started. Original music streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. Shows booked across South Lake Tahoe through the rest of 2026. Festival stages in their sights.
All because one day Ted Kennedy picked up the phone and asked a guy who couldn’t play drums if he wanted to give it a shot.
Best text message I ever got.
Follow The Residents Tahoe:
• 📺 YouTube — @TheResidentsTahoe
• 📸 Instagram — @theresidentstahoe
• 👍 Facebook — The Residents Tahoe
• 🌐 residentstahoe.com