Where it all began...

It is no surprise that Anthony has an interest in classical music. From the time he was a toddler, his mother would often have classical music playing in the background as she cooked dinner or worked around the house. Anthony became familiar with the music of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven as he played with blocks and trucks at his mother's feet. What is surprising is that Anthony ever started singing. Unlike many musicians who are born into musical families and inherit their ability and love for music from their parents, Anthony's parents didn't have an aptitude for music. Anthony seemed to be following in their footsteps during his early childhood showing only a casual interest in music and no real talent for it.

This all changed shortly before his 15th birthday. It all started when he borrowed a CD of the Three Irish Tenors from his sister and started singing to it privately in his room. After singing in secret for a few months, Anthony surprised his parents by announcing that he wanted to sing at an upcoming concert. Naturally, his father said "no" to this request. After all, what self respecting parent wants to be humiliated by an over ambitious child in public? He only agreed to let Anthony sing after he gave him a private audition at home and he realized that he actually could sing. A few weeks later Anthony sang in public for the first time and amazed the several hundred people in the audience with his performance. Shortly after the concert, Anthony recorded a few songs for his ailing grandfather who was living in another state. During the recording, the owner of the studio, Randy Wills, told Anthony he had an exceptional voice and that he should really consider developing it. This encouragement led Anthony to begin taking voice lessons a few months later.

As word of Anthony's talent spread, Anthony began receiving requests that he record an album. Anthony started kicking around the idea and decided to record a CD to sell locally. With the help of some local musicians and Randy Wills, Anthony recored an album of tradition Irish ballads and called it A Wee Bit Of Ireland. The album met with success which led him to record a second CD the following year, The Gift Of Christmas. This traditional style Christmas album was distributed more widely and was warmly received as well. This recording brought Anthony to the attention of Topeka artist and lyricist Cally Krallman. Cally approached Anthony and asked him if he would be interested in doing the vocals for an all original Irish album that she and Randy Wills were working on. Anthony agreed and within a few short months Anthony's third CD , An Irish Journey, was recorded. Anthony was now seventeen and had recorded three CDs in a little over two years. His musical ability and interests were diversifying. He decided he wanted to try something new. Although Anthony really enjoyed singing Irish music, he came to the decision to record an album that was more in line with his formal training. This led to his latest release, Glancing Back , which he finished shortly after his eighteenth birthday. This newest album is a combination of contemporary/classical songs, Italian songs, and "pop" songs done in a more "classical" fashion.

Anthony has just completed high school and although he has made no definite career decisions as of yet, music will remain a part of whatever path he chooses.