BSCkids recently got a chance to talk with Tony Ferrari, a 22-year-old singer-songwriter who is bringing a refreshing and vintage flavor to pop music. The talented musician and singer talked with us about his brand new single and his lifetime love of music.
Tony Ferrari grew up with a love of writing that was inspired by his role model grandfather, a published and beloved poet. During his school years, he grew his passion for writing and ended up learning to play guitar at age 16. He was inspired by classic singers such as Nat King Cole and Marvin Gaye.
Despite having no formal training or background in music, he has begun to make a name for himself in the music industry. Ferrari’s new single, “Bite” can be heard on the NFL on FOX this season and he recently covered John Legand’s “All of Me.“
BSCkids: Tony Ferrari
Tell us about your single “Bite” and what inspired it.
‘Bite’ is a song I wrote about standing up for yourself. I was in a situation where someone was trying to take advantage of me and I wasn’t going to put up with it anymore. The song really just poured out of me, and I was really passionate about writing it because it was such a big part of my life that I was writing about.
How did the single end up being featured on the NFL and FOX this season?
My dear friend Laura Okmin is a reporter for the NFL on FOX, and she has always been a big supporter of my music and is just a fantastic person and friend. I was performing one night and she was there and she came up and said “I’m going to get your song to play on the games this season.” Before I knew it, she had made it happen. I’m really lucky to have such amazing and supportive people, and this was an instance where it couldn’t have been possible without someone like Laura!
Tell us about your album “Gentleman” and how you came to write the songs on it? Does it have an overarching theme?
I wrote “Gentleman” over a two-year period. I really felt like I grew up and found myself in those two years, and the songs really reflected my ideas and my feelings on life. The main theme is that everyone deserves love and respect. Love is the most powerful thing out there, and the world needs more of it. That’s what I was trying to do with this album- put more love and positivity out there.
What is your process when it comes to writing music?
My process is very spontaneous and doesn’t really have a solid structure. Sometimes a song will start with a set of lyrics, or sometimes I have a melody in my head but no words to fit. I love how each new song and the writing process is a different experience.
How much of your songs are based on real life experiences?
All of my songs are about experiences that I’ve had. Whether it be about my relationships, my struggles, or my mom (I’m serious), all of it is true to myself and the experiences I’ve been through.
What are your musical inspirations?
I’m inspired by a lot of the greats of the early 50’s and 60’s. Everyone from Elvis to Sam Cooke to Sinatra. I also love all eras of soul music: Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder. The style and lyrics of those cats is what really inspires me.
Tell us about your grandfather, someone you have said you admired growing up.
My grandpa is the absolute man. He was in the US Air Force stationed in England where he met my Grandma and they started their life together. He was a fantastic writer and published poet. He taught me how to write poems and we spent so much time writing together, and he would always hang my poems in his office. My grandma was his muse, and after she passed away I asked if he was still writing and he told me, “I lost my heart for writing when I lost grandma.” Those words will never leave me, and that was the moment I knew I wanted to pick up where he left off.
If you could perform with anyone who would it be and why?
If he was alive, it would be Sam Cooke. Something about the way he sings and makes you feel his music is what has inspired me so much in my own music. Obviously that wouldn’t be possible, so I’m going to have to say Stevie Wonder.
If music hadn’t worked out, what other career would have chosen and why?
I would probably become a Tea Specialist. I really like tea. Green, black, white. Chamomile. I don’t know if that is a very promising career though.
What are you most excited about in 2015?
I’m excited to show the world what I’ve got. I have a record that I’m proud of and a band behind me that is absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to get on the road and show people what I’m all about.
You can listen to “Bite” here or listen to him sing John Legand’s “All of Me.”
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