Wilfred Theodore Wemyes (September 26, 1901 – May 6, 1963), known professionally as Ted Weems, was an American bandleader and musician.

His teacher offered young Ted and his band a penny each if they would play when the alarm sounded for fire drills.

[3] Going professional in 1923, Weems toured for the MCA Corporation and began recording for the Victor Talking Machine Company.

Weems also co-wrote several popular songs: "The Martins and the McCoys", "Jig Time", "The One-Man Band", "Three Shif'less Skonks", and "Oh, Monah!

[5] The Ted Weems Orchestra had more chart success in 1929 with the novelty song "Piccolo Pete", which rewarded him with his second gold record,[10] and the number one hit "The Man from the South".

Weems also signed 14-year-old ventriloquist Paul Winchell to a contract, after seeing him with one of the Major Bowes touring companies.

[17][18] Reorganizing his big band in 1945,[19] he made records for Mercury, including the hits "Peg O' My Heart" and "Mickey".

Since RCA Victor wanted the recording made quickly, Weems and his band had time for only one rehearsal session prior to this.

In 1947, an overnight disc jockey named Kurt Webster, at station WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina, found the 1938 version in a box of old records he had recently received.

He played it on the air and the radio station's phones never stopped ringing; the callers wanted to hear the song again.

In a 1960 interview, band member Elmo Tanner related that he and Weems received nothing for the reissue as both men had let their contracts expire while they were in the Merchant Marine.

[22][23] The new-found popularity of the 1938 "Heartaches" came at a time when Weems was struggling to re-form his band; many former members had other music-related jobs, others were no longer interested in performing.

[25] Decca cashed in on Weems's new popularity by reissuing another oldie, "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" with vocals by Perry Como, which became another major chart hit.