Thaddeus Arwood "Tad" Kinchla (born February 21, 1973) is an American musician, who is the bassist for the jam band Blues Traveler.

He began playing the upright bass as a child after his brother had settled with the guitar.

During his time there, he studied political science, played lacrosse and formed a band called Dowdy Smack with future internet personality Ze Frank.

Kinchla contributed three songs to the band's 2001 album Bridge, including the single.

On January 18, 2009, Kinchla married his girlfriend, entertainment journalist Carrie Hill.