Ed Woltil

Best known for his work as singer, guitarist and chief songwriter for St. Petersburg Florida art-pop band The Ditchflowers, Ed Woltil’s music has been featured on NPR’s Open Mic and in Performing Songwriter magazine. He has shared the stage with music industry legends like Richard Thompson, Alex Chilton, Procol Harum, Graham Parker and Chris Isaak. Woltil has garnered numerous regional and national awards, including First Prize in the 2000 USA Songwriting Competition, Gospel category; and First Runner-Up in the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Competition, Folk category. Creative Loafing has called Woltil’s music “exquisite…sweet, timeless pop” while Popmatters has said that “every song exhibits supreme musicianship and an insightful yet earthy lyricism.”

Woltil’s seminal power-pop trio, Mad For Electra — revered by critics and fans alike — helped shape Tampa Bay’s vibrant original music scene of the ‘80s and ‘90s. He was also a one-time member of fellow scenesters The Headlights, Florida’s revered folk-rock standard bearers who have also served as Roger McGuinn’s backing band.

Woltil continues to craft adventurous, artful pop with his all-star band, The Good Losers, featuring fellow former Headlight Steve Connelly on lead guitar; Jeremy Douglass on keys; Michael Hoag on bass; and Dan DeGregory on drums. Woltil also plays guitar and sings with Steve Connelly and the Lesser Gods, Mercy McCoy, The Florida Bjorkestra and Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil. The 2015 album Cycle, Woltil’s collaborative folk-pop CD with Robinson (another former Headlight), landed on numerous critics’ “Best of the Year” lists. Featuring contributions by Dave Gregory of XTC and Dave Mattacks of Fairport Convention, No Depression called the disc “a gloriously synergistic merging of talents” and Powerpopaholic called it “a musical shot of happiness…simply beautiful.”