 Singer-songwriter TONY LEWIS is one of the hottest and most sought-after live acts on the European scene. Together with his band he has celebrated triumph after triumph at numerous international festivals, like for example twice as the main act at the mammoth Mirande Festival in southern France, where in 1998 an electrifying performance before 30,000 fans brought the stadium to the boiling point, and Tony back for 3 encores! During the last years Tony and his men regularly play for packed venues in Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Norway, Sweden, France, and Spain. Tony Lewis is an artist who makes close contact to his audience, and who understands how to entertain and move his listeners. Whether in the intimate atmosphere of a club, or from the biggest festival stages, his energetic, professional, and varied shows present today's country rhythms in a style that sets him apart as an exceptional talent.
Born and raised in the United States, Tony Lewis was surrounded since birth by the diverse music |
styles that would later blend into his particular brand of American music. Country & Western, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, and naturally Rock & Roll were the early influences that finally inspired him at the age of seven to sit down at the family piano and begin to create his own songs. He finally found his passion when at age eleven he bought his first guitar, and settled down to teach himself to play. Later he began to concentrate more on singing and writing, and in spite of playing a credible guitar, piano, mandolin and harmonica, today considers himself a vocalist and composer.
Tony showed a rebel streak early, when at the age of fifteen he left home to try his fortunes in Hawaii. In 1975 his travels brought him to Europe, where fate and luck pushed him into a musical career. While backpacking through Italy he was robbed, and found himself left on the side of the road with no more than the proverbial shirt on his back. He made his way across the border into Switzerland, borrowed a guitar, and after an impromptu audition in a hotel kitchen in Zermatt, got his first professional engagement.
Since then, Lewis has performed in over thirty countries around the globe with extensive tours through the United States, Europe, the South Pacific and the Caribbean , including a year-long stint in Latin America on tour as a "Cultural Ambassador" for the United States Government. From first-class night-clubs in Hawaii to colonial concert halls in dusty provincial Argentine backwaters, from rustic ski resorts in New Zealand to the top recording studios of Paris, Lewis has gathered experience, paid his dues, and demonstrated his talent on the most diverse stages around the world.
Since 1991 Lewis has called Switzerland his home. In 1993 he founded his first band under the name "Tequila Tony & The Shooters" and released his debut CD "WANTED MAN". Tony's 1995 album, "ANOTHER COUNTRY" again testified to his talent as a singer/songwriter, as well as his ability to find the right people to bring his musical ideas to light. Produced by none other than Mike Chapman (Garth Brooks), the album features some of the most accomplished musicians on the American scene, as well as duets with Country Stars Stella Parton and Carol Chase. Tony returned to Nashville to produce his landmark album, "DANCIN' ON THE EDGE", again working with the Country Mecca's cream. In these songs, his early influences of Rock, R & B, Pop and even Jazz are apparent, while at the same time he stays true to his country roots. "PORTRAIT" (1999) is a "best of" record, including 2 previously unreleased tracks.
Newly released is Lewis' current album "NAKED", an intimately crafted solo acoustic "Singer-Songwriter" work, who's strength relies on songs and soul rather than arrangements and production. |
