Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony L. Simpson.
Hi Tony L., so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, my interest in music began when I met Mr. Raymond Earl of the legendary Funk Band “Instant Funk”. He was dating my older sister and during our meet he noticed my interest and began teaching me how to play and gave me my very first bass…don’t know what ever happened to that bass..anyhow, moving on.. Once I began playing and hanging around Ray, I started my own band in Jr.High School, “The Funkateers”..back then you had to have funk in there some where..we thought…Then began my experience in learning the upright and moved on to High school..The Great “Trenton Central High School” and continued my musical growth under the tutelage of the late and great Mr. Tommy Grice and Mr Tommy Passerella (Pase), after high school I dropped the music and joined the Army..During that time while serving at Fort Bragg NC in the 82nd Airborne then 0n to the 5th Special Forces before they moved the unit. during that time my musical arousment came back and I joined the Mellow Madness Band from Fayetteville NC. The band had some success by getting singed to Katabawa Records and working with Hit Attractions booking agency but things fell flat I moved back up north to PA played in some bands while trying to connect to the dots then 911 happened and back to military service then in 2013 I retired, Us Army Command Sergeant Major…..it was time for a change so, I worked for some years on my rehab..taught myself how to play drums with my left foot in a cast non-weight bearing and my right arm in a sling…and then Tony L, was created to pursue my next phase in life..Now I use 4th Room Music as my motivation in life and hopefully share some of experiences through my music to the world and bring some more joy because “WE” Need some right now!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has it’s ups and downs..we all know about the financial part but the biggest part for me is getting folks together and on the same page..If you have a dream or an idea it takes time to develop, understand, growth, functioning smoothly and then be accepted..no one wants something that is half done and that’ takes a lot of work/effort and the will to keep going no matter what..if that’ s your dream…My music is now my “Hobbie” then “Business”..I say this because I am not going to put all the effort and work into to something that I do not enjoy……I want to make music that I enjoy and do what the things I want achieve and not be told how to do it ..music to me is about feeling something and collaboration with those that can bring out an inner/outer body experience that just cannot be put into words…and the biggest one that I see most is:
“Time Management – a huge factor in this business” !
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Since my retirement I have been working to establish 4th Room Music LLC an Independent Music Production Label.. Here is some back ground. I told myself while serving in the Military..when I get back home this Was what I was going to do so, I’m doing it. My thought in the beginning, were visions of grander but turned out to be lesson of life without a solid plan or team in place. At one point I had to shut it all down to recalibrate and focus because of way too much internal turmoil to keep things short. Once I saw the light I began to focus on Tony L. “THE ARTIST” as my main act and I will build this way and build my team more carefully..now I feel that I have a pretty good support channel but I keep things centralized.
I have worked to develop my sound through my mixing, in studio production, and artist development, I work with many artist who have different styles to open up my capabilities..I come prepared to any session and keep an open mind on all projects, which helps me grow and that’s my goal to learn, grow and improve in all aspects of life while I still have it !
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Man I try to keep my head to the flow to see what is happen but sometimes I just keep to myself to see wha’s t happening with me..all I can say about going into the future is. I just keep plugging away, keep improving my music, keep networking, keep learning as much as I can and continue to reach out to folks no matter where they may be, stay positive even when someone does not feel your groove, and let the music do what it will do !
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tonyl.hearnow.com/over-and-over-again
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FixTwo45/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uen3ZPm5uho
