Introducing
:tonyperry
christmas
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The debut solo album from tony perry The voice of the critically acclaimed band The Tony Perry 3!
Release TPM-2001 CD only Street Date: Nov. 1, 2001
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Away in a Manger
Only
Christmas Song
Special Delivery
Silent Night
We Don’t Talk About the Baby
Immanuel
Because He Loves Me
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Joseph’s Song
Mary, Did You Know
Sweeter
Cry of a Tiny Babe
I’ll Follow You
There is something at once familiar and fresh in the tracks of
tonyperrychristmas, something classically reverent, something undeniably modern. There is an unabashed spirituality, and unbridled playfulness, an unashamed joyfulness that permeates the disc.And, there is that voice.
It’s a voice of soul and depth, of passion and tenderness, of gospel range and classical precision. It’s a voice that has drawn the attention of thousands in a myriad of venues – churches, coffeehouses, bars, musical theater stages and nightclubs. It’s a voice as comfortable and at home in the midst of Shubert’s "Ave Maria" as it is covering Springsteen or Van Morrison, or interpreting U2 into the heights of gospel fervor.
The audaciousness of
tonyperrychristmas lies in its refusal to limit itself. After years of switching venues, from venue to venue, singer songwriter Tony Perry insisted on bringing the musical pieces of his life into one place. There are hints of soulfulness in piano/voice simplicity. There’s an earthy power in a gospel-influenced roots rock romp. There’s a delicate rawness in an acoustic guitar setting.And, of course, there are the songs. Perry’s years of crafting radio-ready songs haven’t escaped him this time around. And, with his knack for finding the heart of the matter in songs both common and obscure, he has assembled a definitive view of Christmas, not as a secular holiday, but as a joyful reminder of the path to salvation.
Since his youth, Perry has been singing in church. He studied classical voice for years, and through a fluke, this former journalist and newspaperman found the musical theater stage to be inviting and comfortable. But rock and roll, modern pop, and classic soul -- those were his musical fuel. Pairing up with friend Glen Smith, formerly of Hope Chest, Perry helped launch Tony Perry 3, a band that combined acoustic harmonies and hook-filled guitar tracks with passionate songwriting and vibrant singing.
The band produced two critically acclaimed CDs: the acoustic Honest Weight and roots rock On the Innocent Side. They toured the northeast, winning fans from Washington to New York, and amassing a mailing list of more than 1,000 fans with their songs of love and loss, of spiritual frustration and revival. Perry also did session work, recording backing vocals for Earth to Bob and Jason Timoll. Meanwhile, he moved from Harrisburg, to Unityville, to Montoursville, following his wife, a United Methodist pastor, as she was transferred to different churches. It was, in fact, a moment at one of those churches that led to
tonyperrychristmas. After church one day, a parishioner asked how she could help support Tony’s music ministry. It reminded him of his wife’s long-standing request that he record some Christmas songs.Of course, it wasn’t enough for him to just record a collection of carols. Tony spent time digging up his favorite songs, melodies and lyrics that had moved him, and found new, creative ways to share them with others. He reinterpreted songs by the likes of Michael Card, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews. He penned five new songs, each one pushing further at musical boundaries no longer in the way of his creative spirit. He took charge in the studio, bringing his vision to life with a clear sense of direction and a newfound sense of purpose.
What he ended up with is a labor of love that, through its 14 tracks, presents the wonder of the birth of Christ, the significance of this newborn child, with clarity and joy.
"We Don’t Talk About the Baby," the first single, will go to radio 11-1-02 and promotion will initially focus on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic States. Independent radio promotion and constant touring will support efforts at radio and retail.
J-School Records
J-School Records, P.O. Box 333, Montoursville, PA 17754
Phone: 570-971-8699 Email: tony@tonyperrymusic.com