Tony Copeland an “Ensound Music Award Nominee” and what some would call, “A Late Bloomer” to the music scene has been in here all along. As the quote goes, “No one can see the light, until it is turned on” ©2012tonycopeland.
Tony was born and raised in Portsmouth VA aka, P-Town. His freedom for the love of music began very early after his parents purchased his first guitar at age 1. His mother Velma (deceased) consistently kept him and his seven siblings in church while his father Floyd, was hard at work providing for his family. This (The Church) is where Tony honed his skills as a self taught musician. He learned to play lead guitar, bass guitar and drums respectfully. He joined the William E. Waters Jr. high band where he taught himself to play French horn.
There were several other musicians in his community who inspired him as his love for music grew deeper with time. In a recent interview on blog radio www.blogtalkradio.com/savinsouls Copeland, as he is seldom referred to stated, “I was influenced and very much in awe of my musical peers who lived in my subdivision Cavalier Manor”. He also recalled how his childhood schoolmate and friend Cornelius “Neat” Grant could imitate Jimmie Hendricks and Ernie Isley on guitar note for note”. He also made mention that his best friend from the same community Tyrone Carter, (deceased) was an “A” list drummer along with the innovative guitarist and bassist Don Maddon. “I believe we were all child prodigies”.
Tony also stated, that as a boy he would drool while he watched renowned local band “Third World” as they rehearsed in their garage before a big show on one block, then jump on his bike and race to the next block to watch “Lock Stock and Barrel featuring Jett Wright” his older cousin rehearsing on a show in their garage. “I wanted to play with them so bad states Tony that I would sometimes cry”. “However no one ever knew that “he quietly whispered. Tony also mentioned a conversation that he once had with Horne Avenue guitarist “Patch” Pittman, whom he respected; where “Patch” encouraged him to “play his own style of guitar from his heart” which is what Tony has done until this day.
Tony relocated briefly to Danville CA to live with his Aunt and Uncle Celestine and David Evans during his 1979 senior high school year to pursue a college degree. After becoming homesick, young and naïve, he moved back home and graduated from high school in. He later joined the US Army to serve his country and as a way to increase his chances of making the “right connections” or “inroads” the highest level in the music industry. Although he was what we seldom call “green” (New) to the industry, Tony realized that leaving P-town was his best way to discover and accomplish what it took to get a “break” in the world of music. Becoming a solo artist was the last thing on his mind however. He just wanted to play on a professional level anywhere with any body.
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After basic training and becoming FAA Certified as an airframe repairman at Ft. Dix NJ and Ft. Eustis VA respectfully, he was assigned to the 101st airborne division located at Ft. Campbell KY. This is where he got his first dose of confidence, success and failure. Private Copeland would practice daily at the rec. center located on post on just as he had as a child. He would soon realize that small groups of people would gather around just to watch as he practiced. Small groups turned into larger ones as time went on which gave Tony the confidence he needed as a musician to continue his professional quest. One day as he practiced, he was asked by the elderly woman who by the way was now the senior director of the recreation center, why he played so loudly.
She subsequently stated, that his style and loud playing reminded her of another guitar player who was stationed at Ft. Campbell almost 20 years earlier by the name of “Jimmie Hendricks”. She happened to be a young recreational assistant at the time and actually showed Tony where “Hendricks” had signed his autograph in the top corner of the wall inside the center. The complement and encouragement she gave really boosted Copeland’s ego and he worked harder. Soon after, he received transfer orders to the 205th Transportation located in Hanau Germany where he met and played bass with the infamous “James Gadson”, drummer of soul singer “Bobby Warmack”.
Tony was now rubbing elbows with the “A” list of artist and musicians due to his creative gifts, talents and persistently hard work. With Tony on bass along with Geter -Lead Guitar- FL, Donald Smith-Lead Vocals-VA, Lawrence- Drums- OH and Washington-Congas-CA together they formed the electrifying r&b show band “Simplicity”. They won the 1983 USA-European Army Show Band Award in the Frankfurt Germany district. This allowed them to tour several top cities in Europe, which gained them notoriety as well as tour exposure. Germany is where Copeland also got the platinum opportunity, to meet and become friends with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Visit his www.myspace.com/tonycopeland7 blog to read the entire story.
Back in the States in mid 1983, he along with Donald and Ronald Smith- vocals, Tyrone Carter-drums (deceased), Reggie Halsey/brother in law on guitar, vocals and sax, Lawrence-vocals, and his younger brother Gary Copeland (deceased) on bass formed the r&b group “Brothers Incorporated” aka “BIC”. During the rest of the 80s Tony performed as guitarist with various show bands to include “Push Band and Show” aka, “Code Red”, Sax solo artist- “Eli King”, “Tunji” Reggae Band, “Olu and Crown of Honor Reggae Band” in and around the capital city area of Richmond VA. By this time Tony had begun to dabble at writing and producing original music. In 1986 he moved to Charlotte NC and ultimately became the guitarist for “Valence” a local r&b band whose lead singer “Henry Gilmore” appeared on the defunct weekly television series, “Star Search” hosted by Ed McMann.
In 1991 as his career was systematically gaining notoriety and momentum, tragedy struck, with his younger brother GaryDarnell Copeland being brutally murdered at the age of 22 in August of 1992. Being understandably depressed, Tony completely gave up his pursuit of a musical career. For the next few years he headed down the road of self destruction. In the mid 90s, after some time away from the music scene, Tony began to gradually refocus on his career and hired on to a few lead and bass guitar support roles with various groups to include, “The Peerless Four”and “The Virginia Aires” just to name a few. He signed and toured nationally with Sonlite Records recording artist “The Scotts”.
He relocated to East Providence Rhode Island where he began to study the business of music and once again produced his own music along with getting married for the 2nd time which ended in divorce. • In 2000 he moved to Mobile AL where he recorded, produced and released his first CD project “Life Is worth Living”. • In 2001 Tony relocated to Houston TX, produced and released his next CD project “Thank You Jesus” followed by the 2007 the single release of “The Right Way”.
In 2006 after a live performance where Tony played as a session guitarist an associate of his made a suggestion to him. He stated that he believed that Tony’ niche’ in the music industry was as solo guitarist. After careful and doubtful consideration, Copeland embarked upon writing and producing tracks which featured him on guitar. He made a demo and tossed it around to a few jazz connoisseurs along with the ole’ dive home at 5 disc jockey radio question… “Make it or break it “? He received an overwhelming response of “Make it”.
In 2010 his debut jazz project entitled “Panoramic View” was released on the Danay Records label.
Purchase this product at: www.cdbaby,com/cd/tonycopeland , www.itunes.com/tonycopeland www.amazon.mp3.com/tonycopeland , www.reverbnation.com/tonycopeland, www.myspace.com/tonycopeland/7
Visit the website at: www.tonycopeland.webs.com , www.facebook.com/danayrecords , www.facebook.com/tonycopeland , www.jango.com/tonycopeland
Contact Tony Copeland at: 832-388-2036 or at [email protected]
Awards
2010 Ensound Music Awards Jazz Nominee
For more info: www.ensoundmusicawards.org
Gear
Guitar-Gretsch
Amp-Randall
Effects-Line6
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