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Anthony J. Foti Discography:
Closenuf (2005) CD
Fourword - Anthony J. Foti (2002) CD, cass
Haunted Memories - Blackwood & Foti (1994) CD, cass

To order Anthony J. Foti CDs and cassettes

Contact: Wreckords Records
E-mail: closenuf@closenuf.com

Brooklyn-based, Official Grammy Ballot Entry singer/songwriter Anthony J. Foti releases his latest work as part of NY's premier Singer/Songwriter Rock Band 'Closenuf.'

Anthony J. Foti's soft-rock stylings in the tradition of Billy Joel and Elton John are being released to record companies, producers, artist and repetoir departments and music industry professionals to solicit signage; to talent agencies, managers and entertainment counselors to establish business relationships and investment opportunities; and to radio stations for immediate airplay.

Reviews:

On Anthony J. Foti live:
"For the Starlight Concert Series, a highly energetic and crowdpleasing performance."
- Staten Island Advance 8/93

On Anthony J. Foti's first album:
"Highly skilled songwriting ability. ***1/2"
- The Musician's Exchange/Music Paper 12/94

On Anthony J. Foti's second album:
"Pleasant male vox, and well arranged tracks. Very strong melodic presence, very good production."
- The Musician's Exchange 7/96

The single, 'In the Eyes of the Rose,' receives National Airplay as several radio stations add to Top 40 play list rotation - The Gavin Report 9/94

Winner - Honorable Mention : Billboard Magazine 7/99 - for 'Music Man' in the 9th Annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest

Semi-finalist in the Northeast Independent Music World Series 9/04 sponsored by Disc Makers & TAXI

CLOSENUF appears on The Joey Reynolds Show on WWOR National Radio - Buckley Broadcasting Corp 5/05 & 12/05

CLOSENUF wins four Garageband.com Reviewer Awards - Garageband.com 8/05

Placed on the ballot for nomination for a 2006 GRAMMY AWARD for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for 'Music Man' - 10/05 - The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

NOMINATED FOR A 2006 IMMIE AWARD (Independent Music Award) for Best Indie Music Video - 7/06 - The Independent Music Conference Committee

NOMINATED FOR A DIGIFESTIVAL ABSOLUTE WINNER 2006 AWARD for Best Indie Music Video - 8/06 - Digifestival International Committee

CLOSENUF appears on Philadelphia Radio on The Dr. Lou's House of Blues Radio Show - Dr. Lou Music Productions 9/06

CLOSENUF's single, 'Difference' receives National Airplay as several CHR/Pop & AAA radio stations added to Top 40 play list rotation - Pic Hitz Entertainment 11/06

CLOSENUF asked to perform in The Original Sessions National Band Search Series Competition in NYC - The FMFB Coalition 12/06

CLOSENUF chosen to perform at The 2007 Goodstock Festival in Summersville, WV - The Goodstock LLC Committee 2/07

CLOSENUF appears on The Media Factory Show on PATV in Enfield, CT - Netshows Broadcasting 6/07

CLOSENUF chosen to perform in The 14th Annual Long Island Music Festival - Good Times Magazine 6/07

CLOSENUF chosen to perform in the 2007 M.E.A.N.Y. Fest - Musicians & Emerging Artists New York Committee 7/07

CLOSENUF's compositions chosen to Score Soundtrack of Spring 2008 Independent Film Festival Documentary - Brian Barry Productions 1/08

CLOSENUF chosen to perform at The 2008 Make Music New York Festival in New York, NY - The Make Music NY Committee & Time Out : NY Magazine 5/08

Anthony's Credo:
"All music is made up of songs either about politics or love; politics I studied at university, love I live my life for."

Anthony Joseph Foti was born (2/13/67) and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Son of an Italian mother (now a Naturalized American) who was taught to sing by her father whose operatic voice paralleled Caruso or Lanza; and the son of an Italian American father who played violin in his high school band as well as tended bar on Broadway. By age 10, Anthony started singing in the home and by high school, songwriting and performing. As an adolescent, he was trained as a tenor by local music teacher Connie "Pansy" Bruno, whose life was cut short by diabetic complications. Through college, he continued his vocal training with Phyllis Falletta, an award winning coloratura soprano from the High School of Performing Arts and Hunter College.

Leaving behind pop and rock cover and original bands of his high school days, such as Secret Service and Bottoms Up, he studied at Pace University for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies (class of 1989, Summa Cum Laude, Valedictory graduate) receiving a concentration in musical studies from its Dyson School of Arts and Sciences with a 4.0 G.P.A. This study included: history of jazz, history of rock and roll, music theory, songwriting and classical appreciation. Here, he befriended Rick Stone, bebop jazz guitarist of Jazzand Records and musical sage, NYC music professor Hannah Hall who both inspired him to pursue the realm of a professional career by agreeing "He's got what it takes."

During this period, he took his local disc jockeying from his own company, Skyline Sounds, and applied as a morning DJ for WPUB, 640 AM and even guest starred for Manhattan College Radio. He then applied as a vocalist for TEMPO, Pace's music club, eventually becoming its president. Here, he produced shows for charities including the United Way, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and the Lighthouse for the Blind. From 1985 to 1989, Anthony sang the classics of pop and rock as well as his own material at the Schimmel Center for the Arts in Manhattan (home of James Lipton's Inside the Actors Studio): starring in Music on the Timeline, A Touch of Class and The Le Cafe Series; producing Welcome Back My Friends and In Treble as Usual, as well as guest appearances in 'To Clothe the Naked' and 'The Horton/Boroughs Talent Show.' As the president of TEMPO, he organized all musical events for the university: recruiting its talents, public relations, publicity, rehearsal and performance.

Toward the end of his college days, he met keyboardist Rick Castellitto from 77th Street, North Bergen, N.J. Anthony, being from 77th Street, Brooklyn, formulated the Jersey Shore Band, 77th St. In this project he honed his songwriting and performing craft. At the tail end of this work he met guitarist/vocalist Eric Blackwood and channeled his acoustic rock influence to form "Blackwood and Foti."

Armed with a home taping of his work, it was introduced to Dave Greenberg of Green Machine Productions at Rockin' Reel Studios. Dave, a background vocalist for Van Morrison and the leader of the Woodstock band Sly Boots, co-owns this production company with Al Greenwood, keyboardist for Foreigner. With multiple gold and platinum albums behind them, the two took this work under their wing to provide it professional treatment. Local session man funk/fusion bassist and one of Anthony's songwriting collaborators since 77th St., Mike Hoffman was called in. The producers, so impressed with the writing, enlisted the aid of Joe Lynn Turner/Joe Satriani drummer--Vinny Conigliaro and Asia/Alice Cooper guitarist -- Al Pitrelli to record. Pure rock and roll magic occurred.

Anthony was so impressed with the product, he started his own record company -- Wreckords Records, to release the work. Wreckords Records is a recognized publishing firm of ASCAP and Anthony is a member both as a songwriter and the record company's president. Performing live amid the boroughs of New York City as well as Albany, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania, he performed a self-penned ballad for thousands one hot summer night at Wagner College. With not a dry eye in the crowd, Anthony's father insisted this work be added to the release.

"In the Eyes of the Rose" was introduced to the multi-gold and platinum album producers of Nationwide Digital Studios. John Abbott, producer for Dionne Warwick and Jim Stafford, was so impressed he enlisted the aid of Steve Jerome, producer for Neil Diamond, Simon and Garfunkel, The SugarHill Gang and The Left Banke. Steve insisted to take control of the production and the mix. Jeff Munzert, from Jim Messina's troupe, sat in to play acoustic guitar. Russ Morisi, local bassist/dobro guitarist was called in for the session work. New Orleans born saxophonist and former US Navy man Keith Ringo was asked to play harmonica. Sons of the lead tenor of the Arrogants ("Mirror Mirror," "Canadian Sunset"), Sal Giarraffa: Brian Christian Giarraffa laid down the keyboard tracks (a player since age 6, a revival player for the Arrogants) and Joe Giarraffa added drums and percussion (trained at the High School of Performing Arts as well as former drummer for the Excellents ["Coney Island Baby"]). The play list was rounded out by Mike Marchetta on guitar, son of Robert Marchetta, guitarist/vocalist for The Beaten Path ("Never Never") whose work was produced by the Abbott/Jerome team some 20 years prior! The album was even mastered by Bob Ludwig (whose credits include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin just to name a few).

Wayne Olsen, graphic commercial artist who designs Anthony's album packages, believes his other work is good rock and roll, but this tune was "art." Would the country take to a ballad based on the writings of a 17th century philosopher?* The album was delivered to Bill Jerome Promotions, which released on 9/14/94 "In the Eyes of the Rose" as a single through the Gavin Report. For six weeks, against works by Eric Clapton, Richard Marx and Gloria Estefan, radio stations in Missouri, Wyoming, Kentucky, Georgia, South Dakota and Texas played it on their top 40 play list rotation. Millions of people have now enjoyed the production, writing and vocalizing of Anthony J. Foti. Supplied to nearby record stores, copies sold out. Playing in local clubs, copies by the hundreds have also been sold.

He feels that as a co-writer you have the artist and the audience in the room simultaneously, therefore great art with commercial viability will spawn. He continued to record in 1996 with the Jerome/Abbott team, releasing an EP 'Fourword' featuring: Aaron Copeland School of Music graduate and student of Al Pitrelli, multi-instrumentalist Mike DeLuca; Hartt School of Music graduate Robert C. Kelly on drums; and 'Screamin' Steve Barlotta on sax, musical director for Gary U.S. Bonds. It featured the award-winning "Music Man," "Alive Forever," "At Night," labeled "best tune on his first album" by Al Pitrelli, and "In the Eyes of the Rose," which speaks for itself with a nationally exposed track record.

He has played the Village scene from the New Music Cafe to Kenny's Castaways, been featured on WWOR-TV UPN 9, had articles spotlighting his writing and performance appear in newspapers and magazines from New York to Switzerland, and has been commissioned to sing the National Anthem at varied political fundraisers, including accompaniment by renown New York Yankees/Rangers organist Eddie Layton. He has sat in, performing jazz classics, with Louie Prima's and Sammy Davis, Jr.'s legendary guitarist / mandolinist / trombonist Joe "Matty" Maranzino. Dave Greenberg said it was "a pleasure to work with such a professional." Viewing Anthony in live city performances, Ritchie Blackwell, Bruce Springsteen's percussionist, so impressed with Anthony's work, immediately signed onto his mailing list for future work. Steve Jerome sees vision that "big things would come from him." Anthony plays percussion and light keyboard work as well.

He has been offered solicitation by noted entertainment attorneys Eve Nelson (sister of Judd Nelson) and the firm of Jacobson & Colfin (attorneys for Toni Braxton and Johnny Winter), as well as CPI Talent Exposure Services, Amerecord Records, Rodell Records, Wright Stuff Records, Sexy Killer Records, Black Rose Productions, ANTV, North Coast Stars, Nextposure, Octobertunes, Bill Jerome Promotions, Pic Hitz Entertainment, granting him the opportunity to showcase for major labels, due to the high quality of his work and presentation. Eve Nelson once quoted, "To me, [he's] the next Jackson Browne." Ari Nisman, Degy/Polydor/Capitol Records Executive, reviewed his material and stated that, "[His] voice is quite powerful; there's a lot of talent there, and [he's] got a good thing going." Besides Castellitto, Hoffman and Blackwood, he also collaborates with McCartney-esque keyboardist Steve DiSanti, Sam Waymon's guitarist, James Turner and in 1998 worked with Terry King of Drifters and Temptations fame, and with the multi-faceted band Strategy. On 7/15/99, his composition, "Music Man," won him Honorable Mention in the 9th Annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest. In late 2000 into 2001, 'In the Eyes of the Rose' had made a comeback by breaking into New York City radio airplay on the alternative, variable, and sometimes controversial, format of WBAI FM 99.5. And, in September 2004, Anthony was named a semi-finalist in Disc Makers' Northeast Independent Music World Series.

On September 12th, 2001, despite the tragedies of the time, Anthony launched a project with another Brooklyn singer/songwriter & keyboardist, Adam Vicelich. Adam is a music teacher whose former band Flyer's Fall released an indie CD to stellar reviews. A Long Island, NY guitarist & singer/songwriter Ron Pitkin was introduced through Adam to the project. The rhythm section was rounded out by Queens, NY music teacher and session player Hank McDonagh III on bass, and Bayonne, NJ drummer Trey Roper who has been playing behind the kit for over 30 years being trained as a musician since a small child. They formed the Singer/Songwriter Rock Band, CLOSENUF, who in April 2005, have released under Wreckords Records, a 15-track, all original self-titled debut CD to appeal to all from the college kids to the baby boomers. This work was guided in the studio by EQ Magazine editor, and soundman for Blue Oyster Cult, Steve 'Woody' La Cerra. Anthony penned 8 tracks including all new versions of his Fourword work, a New Age instrumental he plays all keyboards on, a spoken word track and 2 new tunes - one hard rock and one classic rockabilly. CLOSENUF, with its 3 different lead vocalists and songwriters present a wide scope of depth and variety that is reminiscent of Styx, Chicago, and of course, the Beatles. The band has become a staple on the New York City music scene being featured in publications from The Village Voice to 20th Century Guitar Magazine and appearing on the Joey Reynolds Show on WWOR 710 AM national radio, and received a number of Garageband.com Reviewer Awards. On October 21st, 2005, CLOSENUF's version of 'Music Man' was placed on the ballot for nomination for a 2006 GRAMMY AWARD for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)!! And on August 17th 2006, by DigiFestival for an Absolute Winner 2006 Edition Award (ranking 7th overall in International Voting in the top 6%), which Anthony conceptualized, story boarded and co-produced! Also in September 2006, members of CLOSENUF appeared on Philadelphia Radio on The Dr. Lou's House of Blues Radio Show on WNJC 1360 AM.

On November 6th, 2006, Wreckords Records & Pic Hitz Entertainment jointly released 'Difference' as a national single for CHR/Pop (Contemporary Hit Radio) & AAA (Adult Album Alternative) stations coast to coast, with 3rd quarter 2006 and 1st quarter 2007 airplay across New Mexico, Texas, Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia! On December 4th, 2006, CLOSENUF was asked to perform in The Original Sessions National Band Search Series Competition in NYC competing for 3 rounds! On February 10th, 2007, CLOSENUF was chosen to perform in The 2007 Goodstock Festival in July 2007 in Summersville, WV promoted by Artie Kornfeld of Woodstock fame. On March 12th, 2007, members of CLOSENUF filmed an interview to be aired summer 2007 on The Media Factory Show on PATV, Ch 15 in Enfield, CT. On May 25th, 2007, CLOSENUF was chosen to perform in The 14th Annual Long Island Music Festival run by Good Times Magazine. On July 2nd, 2007, CLOSENUF was asked to perform in the 2007 M.E.A.N.Y. Fest in NYC. Also during 2007, Wreckords Records with CLOSENUF proudly participated in (and in some instances coordinated) fundraisers to benefit Katrina Victims, & Cerebral Palsy & Organ Transplant Awareness raising thousands of dollars for the various causes.

In January 2008, Wreckords Records signed rights & clearances for usage of various CLOSENUF compositions from their Debut Album for the Soundtrack Score, in the Spring 2008 Independent Film Festival Documentary Entry 'American Pop Culture: Going Against the Grain.' On April 1st, 2008, CLOSENUF proudly co-sponsored (along with Prudential Insurance Co., and more) The 2008 Bay Currents Newspaper ‚ YourNews.com Brooklyn Cutest Kid Contest. On May 1st, 2008, CLOSENUF was requested to participate in The 2008 Make Music New York Festival co-sponsored by Time Out New York Magazine; and on May 26th, 2008, Wreckords Records proudly co-sponsored with RockCanRoll (a hunger relief organization collaborating with rock concerts to collect canned and non-perishable food for local food pantries) an outdoor CLOSENUF Concert at The Woodstock Trading Companyís Great Lawn in Cherry Hill, NJ to benefit local agencies that assist families who live with hunger or in poverty.

Anthony J. Foti has multitudes of work to bring forth from love songs to rock to pop to folk with some rhythm & blues for good measure. He is just as open minded to working exclusively as a writer, if not performer. With the class and influence of Billy Joel, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Diamond, Elton John and Cat Stevens, this singer/songwriter awaits the backing and exposure to forward the industry, the man and his music. From Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle* to Anthony J. Foti.

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