#1. Booking TONY RICH PROJECT! Get Answers & Fast Service.

Style: Contemporary R&B, Adult Contemporary R&B, Urban

He began recording his second album that would later be entitled "Birdseye." Months before "Words" was released and through the awards season he continued recording. "I didn’t want to take a break from my recordings. I didn’t
want the awards to turn my focus away from my creativity."

"Birdseye," his highly anticipated follow-up to "Words," was released in the Fall of 1998 with very little support from the record label. It featured guitar legend,
Eric Clapton playing on about eight songs. "Eric and I simply traded favors. I sang on his Pilgrim record as well." "Birdseye" received great critical acclaim despite its almost "hush-hush" release. Nonetheless, Tony proceeded to do his part. He set-up live performances and showcases to push the momentum of the record. "I truly felt support in some areas and not much in many," he said. "If everyone is not on the same page, the art suffers. It’s sad, but true."

He then toured the year of 1999 and later that year Tony and LaFace parted ways. "It was the best for both. He said, "After ‘Birdseye‘ I was busy touring and recording. So, LA and I shopped around trying to find a better situation. Then we decided to focus on seeing eye to eye. I turned in music and received no response. LaFace was getting ready to sell to BMG so they
terminated the agreement and allowed me to began shopping a new situation."

Tony is an "Artist" in every sense of the word. When new artists ask for his advice, he says with a clear and stern tone, "If all you want to do is sing a song, make a video and ride in a limo, turn around and find something else to do, you can do all of that without a record deal. Make sure you have other things to offer. The standard recording contract is not and has never
been designed to allow artists to make money from their art. On the other hand, record labels help make stars. They spend the money to keep your face on the screen and your voice on the airwaves. But it is the job of the artist to know who he or she is and to capitalize on the stardom. Always move forward. It’s better to have self-control than none at all."

In addition to actually becoming what he dreamed to be, Tony Rich also came to know his most prominent influences. He speaks of one encounter, "I remember one of the coolest musically spiritual moments.
Prince
and Maytes’ dance company opened their tour at the Detroit City Music Hall. After the show we all went over to a restaurant/bar called Intermezzo, where we had an impromptu performance. Prince
says to me, ‘You play keys, I’ll play drums, Larry (Graham) on bass, 7 Kat (Dyson) on guitar.’ Then here comes
Stevie Wonder on harmonica. It was priceless."

Tony Rich applies great focus on being true to himself and what he represents. "I have a purpose and a voice. I myself am an instrument that belongs to God and that God plays. In everything I do there has to be truth." Tony has faced great challenges in his career where creativity and commerce have a difficult time existing in the same space.

Even after so much success, so many accomplishments, accolades and awards, Tony Rich is still humble and grateful for all that he’s been blessed with. He is a full-circle "Artist."

He has evolved into an extraordinary live performer with an extreme focus to mesmerize his audience with every note, melody and dynamics. "The guys in the band are superb musicians, and more importantly, they are superb people. We all have a common goal, and that is to have fun, set our target, aim and strike with great precision."

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