presents

Tommy Anthony

Yes, we know that's Chayanne up in front, but right behind him there is one multitalented, smart guy! Tommy Anthony was kind enough to answer a few questions for La Isla's Editor in Chief.
Click here to read Tommy's new Question and Answer section!

LI: Where do you live now?
TA: South Miami, in the 'burbs.

LI: Was this your first choice of career?
TA: No. That would be football. Injuries prevented me from going farther.... I managed to play a season of semi-pro, as a fullback. This was after years of getting banged up... the truth is I probably couldn't have made it to the NFL, but, regarding your question, that was my first choice.

LI: What are the peaks and valleys of being a musician / singer?
TA: Peaks: the travel, the pay for doing something you love, and occasionally, the fringe benefits, although the "Led Zeppelin days of touring" are well behind us. (You know, the excesses of wine, women, fast cars,......) Valleys: the travel schedule, no family, little privacy or quality time alone.

LI: Who else have you worked with?
TA: Ricky Martin, Shakira, Jon Secada, and Julio Iglesias Jr. to name a few, although I've worked with them as a guitar player. Chayanne fans may remember me as the background singer who looked more like a bodyguard.

LI: Have you done studio work, video work, movies, other?
TA: All of the above. Between tours, I do a lot of studio work. All of the above mentioned artists have me on their C.D'S... except Chayanne, who has only employed me live.

LI: Do you have any funny or otherwise interesting stories to tell?
TA: None you can print here!!!!!

LI: What are your interests outside of music?
TA: Sports, boating, skiing, motorcycles, reading, films.... I like a little of everything.

LI: Do you have a memorable fan moment?
TA: I have many..... in short, my nicest recollections involve meeting some wonderful special people. I've established and maintained friendships with a handful of friends who I truly care for. God willing, I'll see them all again soon....

LI: What kind of food do you most enjoy?
TA: All the fattening stuff... you know what I mean.......

LI: Tell us about the strangest or most unusual place that you have performed in?
TA: Turkey, two summers ago. It was beautiful but very, very different to the world I'm accustomed to. You looked around and at times you thought you were in a James Bond movie..... people in robes, women with their faces covered, security guards protecting us, a beautiful exotic hotel.... it was just amazing.

LI: Where do you get your inspiration?
TA: From life.... everything around me. You only get one shot, make it count.

LI: If you weren't an entertainer, what would you be?
TA: A psychologist. I was accepted to the masters program at my university, but at that point I was already making a living in music. I figured I could always go back, but I did get my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

LI: What would you like to be doing in ten years?
TA: The same thing... playing in stadiums around the world in front of 20,000 screaming kids.... it's as high as you can get.

ChayQuestions

LI: How long have you been with Chayanne?
TA: The 1999-2000 tour was my first, but I've already been asked back for next year.

LI: How did you come to tour with him?
TA: My name got to the musical director through recommendations. The truth is the job was given to me. I never had to audition... I guess my resume was decent enough.

LI: Tell us about something that happens backstage that the audience could never imagine.
TA: We argue about sports, music, films, politics, religion and women!!!!! Some guys loosen up, others eat, some try to meet girls before going onstage, some wait till after the show... some look ahead to the next city...... it's fun, but nothing too crazy. That happens much later!!!!!!

LI: What was the most frustrating or difficult moment for you of this tour?
TA: The schedule was insane sometimes... we went 36, 37 hours straight without sleep a few times in Europe. The travel can get tough.

LI: Who makes the decision about what will be worn for a tour. Does it change according to country?
TA: Not at all. Management has us all in black, every show, regardless of country. It's easy to maintain and most importantly, doesn't take attention away from the artist.