Everlasting Impact: Catching Up With R&B Legend Tony Terry

Tony Terry continues to provide hits 30-years after debut album!

Tony Terry released his self-titled album, “Tony Terry,” in November of 1990. The significance of that album and some of the tracks it produced serves as a source of how to create timeless music even today. The album featured the timeless wedding anthem, “With You,” as well as the romantic ballad, “Everlasting Love.” His consistency and energy that he puts into his craft over the years is unmatched. Knowing his place amongst the top of the R&B food chain keeps him going. And with more than ten studio albums to his credit, Terry’s legacy is set. He recently released his new single, “Born Ta Luv Ya,” which is performing quite well on the charts. It’s the number two download on the Urban/UAC Charts.

During my recent conversation with the R&B stalwart, we discuss his longevity, social media’s importance and much more!

The legend, how is it going, my man?

Tony Terry: (Laughing)! I’m blessed, man. I’m really blessed. I have been working during this Covid period. I’m probably one of the few people that have been, and that is truly a blessing.

One thing you are doing that I love to see is, you’re using social media to its full capacity. You’re not only using it to your benefit, but for anyone that follows you, you’re providing networking opportunities. How important is that?

Tony Terry: It’s very important. I’m going to tell you, it’s even more important than I initially realized. At first, I was doing going online every Tuesday. This is before I was calling it, “Tony Terry Tuesday’s.” I was just doing it on Tuesday, and I would do a live concert on my fan page to give me something to do. We were all cooped up in the house, nobody was doing anything. I don’t have a recording studio at my house. I never wanted to have one at my house. I couldn’t get into the studio. All the studios were closed, couldn’t work, couldn’t record. So, I started doing these lives and then I started calling them, “Tony Terry Tuesday’s,” and people started hitting me back and saying things like, “I lost a loved one today and this is bringing me comfort.” Things like that made it more than about me. I realized that I have a gift, and I just want to use it in a way where it is of service if that makes any sense.

Absolutely! Even you, Virtual Speed Networking, something else you’re doing that’s not just about you, but you are opening opportunities for your fans to network and perhaps create a situation as well.

Tony Terry: Yeah man! I’m going to be quite transparent, this whole Covid and lockdown has made me experience some things that I have never experienced before like anxiety. Initially, I was embarrassed to talk about it. I’m a grown man (laughing). I didn’t want to admit anxiety issues. But then I thought, you know what, forget that I don’t want to suffer by myself. Because most people, when they are going through things, especially like that, they think that they are suffering alone. I purposely didn’t want to suffer alone, so I wanted to share it. I wanted people to know, I wanted people to care about me, my family, my friends and my fans. I wanted everybody to know. “Hey, I’m going through something and I’m needing to lean on you, and this is how I’m doing it. I’m leaning on you because I’m sharing my gift.” And they are feeding me by just being there and listening. So, it’s as therapeutic for me as it was for my fans that are listening.

Jaden… Will and Jada’s Pinkett Smith’s son recently came out and said he was suffering from anxiety and much like you, it was something he was keeping bottled up. For you both to share your story, it helps others who are dealing with it as well.

Tony Terry: There is a bigger reason, and it’s about our brothers. It’s about our black men. Because we don’t say when we’re hurting. Our pride won’t let us do that. Our society won’t allow space for that, but we have to take the space. If men are not okay, then we can’t be okay for our families.

The same goes for mental health issues. I’ve had that discussion, but anxiety is wrapped around mental health. Black men and most men always feel the need to be so strong, that we feel there is no time or place for that discussion.

Tony Terry: That’s what it’s all about. Mental strength and mental wellness. Dude, I never thought that I would have anything to say about mental wellness because I’m the rock in my family. What happens when the rock needs a rock (laughing)?

Facts my man. Let me switch gears real quick. You came into this thing in 1990. What is it like for you to interact with fans through social media because there was a time where that wasn’t a thing?

Tony Terry: A lot of people are like, “Oh… that’s who sings that song!” I have a lot of die hard fans and social media has allowed me to open up and be introduced to new fans worldwide, and I appreciate it. My manager back in the 80’s used to tell me, “Tone… I’m telling you; it’s going to be the internet. That’s going to be the way.” Back then, we were getting used to AOL. He told me it would be the way and I needed to prepare myself for it. And I would be like, “Yeah right! Order another pack of CD’s.” But he was right. One thing that my management company back in the day… even though it wasn’t all good, one of the things that was good, was the fact that they always made it very important for me to assert myself and to appreciate and to let, even the mom and pop record stores at the time that only had one copy of my record… to call them and say, “Thank you for having that copy.” It made a difference. They always taught me to stay in touch. And that’s something that doesn’t happen in today’s artists development. Artists are not being groomed and developed. You have to come with your package already ready and your social media numbers already at a particular place. And you have already done all the footwork that normally a record company would do. It’s very-very different, but you know, I’m down for the ride.

You are spearheading the ride. “With You” is almost 9-million views strong on YouTube through the Vevo page. That has to make you feel great.

Tony Terry: Yeah, except for I don’t know who owns Vevo and I’m trying to figure that out. Who runs the Vevo page? Who sets that up? I don’t know. They have tens of thousands of subscribers and I don’t know who that is. Who is Vevo? I need them subscribers, man.

And you deserve them. People are still listening, so you absolutely need them.

Tony Terry: Listen, it’s very humbling because… dude, this might sound corny. I wish I could personally say how great I am (laughing), and how this has everything to do with me, but it doesn’t. It’s God. It’s bigger than me. It’s spiritual. It’s something that I can’t do on my own.

For sure. You recently dropped a single, “Born Ta Luv Ya.” You haven’t missed a beat. Tony Terry is here to stay.

Tony Terry: Bruh… let me tell ya something, I’m always recording. Especially before Covid. I’m either in the studio, I’m at the gym or I’m on the road. I’m always working and trying to get something done. I’m always cutting stuff, and this song, “Born Ta Luv Ya…” one of my boys here in Atlanta wrote it, Al Chauncy, a fellow artist wrote it. He wanted me to cut it. We were playing with it and it’s like, “Come on, man. Let’s work on this,” and I worked on it, and I kind of put it away. It was like, okay, I recorded it, on to the next thing. About a year later, I came back to it just listening to files and I thought, “We might have slept on this one. Let’s put a mix on it and see what happens,” and people started responding to it right away. And I was like, “Okay, I’ll go with it. It’s working.” So, yeah man.

Do you prefer the new way of getting your music out or were you more of a fan of the way it used to be, packaging it up, bringing it to radio stations… more organic way or having it at the palm of your hands?

Tony Terry: It seems more… something that I can put my hands on and sign. Fans would stand in line and wait for a photograph or an album or CD autograph. There’s an interaction that can happen.

I have asked that question to many people and that is the first time I got that. That’s a great point.

Tony Terry: You send in downloads; you’re not interacting with anybody. There is a huge chunk of the experience that is taken away because of the immediacy of the download situation. It’s good. It gives you instant access to what you want to have on your playlist, but it takes away part of the, hey I’m a fan, I’m going down to the mall or the record store and I’m going to wait in line for 2-hours because I love this person so much.

You had the opportunity to do a tribute to Freddie Jackson and you were joined by Tevin Campbell and Avery Wilson. What was that experience like for you?

Tony Terry: Dope (laughing)! In a word. I grew up listening to Freddie. And it’s really interesting because these guys that I grew up admiring and we’re friends, they kind of take offense when I tell them that I grew up listening to them (laughing). Howard Hewitt and those guys are like, “Don’t say that stuff in the public, man.” It’s serious though, and I’m telling the truth. I’m honoring those guys. I grew up listening to Freddie, and the biggest part for me that night was that Freddie did not know that I was going to be there. So, when I came out, his reaction was genuine. He was genuinely surprised, and I got to honor him with one of my favorite songs that he sang. I just thought it went exceptionally well.

It was great. You seem to take physical fitness very seriously. How much attention is given to that intentionally?

Tony Terry: It is my life. It’s my life. I’m almost 60. I’m not ashamed of that. I’m out here in these streets with these 21-year old’s, still trying to make music, still trying to do what I do. I’m not trying to veer out of my lane, but I wanna feel good. It’s hard work being on stage and giving your full every time out. You have to prepare for that. I want to be at my peak performance. I wanna be able to give everything I got every time I take the stage which I usually do. Leaving it all up there, everything. So, I need to be in shape for that.

You received a key to the city of Stonecrest. It’s amazing to see you be honored in any way and I think the honors will continue to pour in. The key to the city, that’s a big deal. Tell us about it.

Tony Terry: It was unexpected, and again, any kind of acknowledgment from my peers and people respond to what I do, God-lee, man, it feels great. But again, my first response is, “To God be the glory,” then I take mine (laughing). But I gotta give God his first.

Unreal you are almost 60. You’re going to have us all on the treadmill. It’s been an honor. Keep up the great work, everyone go get that new single because you won’t be disappointed. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?

Tony Terry: Thank you, man. I appreciate you, man. It’s a pleasure to be here and have you interviewing me. Thank you to your readers and I appreciate it and look forward to doing it again.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER