TONY NERO - 'Black Eagle still flying high'

Story by Pat Frisina   Photos By Simon Baker

True romantic, Tony Nero has seen and done a lot of things, surviving Cyclone Tracey and a crocodile attack in Darwin, playing all over Australia and in Italy and Canada where his danceable, Latin flavoured music has been enjoyed by many people both in English and Italian and also recorded and performed at festivals by known multicultural artists like 'Sabrina'. He has played many prestigious venues like The Opera House, Trocadero, Sydney Town Hall and backed artists like Jimmy Little and Doug Parkinson, and  at the Belrose Country Music Festival, he got a standing ovation for his song 'Australia Australia' and praise for his music from Smokey Dawson.

Arriving here from Italy at the age of 5 and inspired by his great grandfather, who played bagpipes from town to town, all Tony Nero wanted to do was to play music... and play music he did, picking up the accordion and mastering difficult orchestral pieces like 'Hungarian Rhapsody,' he competed in eisteddfods and was obsessed with winning 'the big one', The City of Sydney Open Championship which he eventually did in 1968 as well as winning 2 other times as a duet.  From age 18 his club style cover bands 'Latin Beat', 'The Star liners'  and 'Future' began working regularly with residencies as long as 10yrs at Porta Villa, Pasadena, Killarney Lodge and many City and Country venues before having a great run for many years aboard cruise ships  including  The Arcacia, The  Oriana, Northern Star, Canberra, and even a Russian liner. Then returning to Conflenti in Southern Italy, he met and married a young choir singer who was the inspiration behind the many beautiful love songs he has written and while waiting for her to arrive in Canada, he wrote is first song at the age of 28 and has never looked back since.

Still flying high at 61, Tony, a regular at many festivals, performs at a wide range of venues across many genre circles like country, multicultural and pop with his own brand of highly infectious songs and he has now released his first, full length album 'Black Eagle' aptly named after the call sign he goes by.

I caught up with Tony over a few vino's.

Paz: Who are your influences?

Tony: I love everything from Robbie Williams, CCR and Bob Dylan to Guns and Roses, but more relevant to my style and baritone voice is 60's Italian like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mario Lanza and Caruso with Bobby Rydell being one of my all time favourites.

Paz: You play a wide range of instruments like Accordion, Keyboards, Guitar, Tenor Sax, Flute, Harmonica and Congas. What is your instrument of choice?

Tony: Instruments are an addiction for me, each one creates a different expression, but my kids bought me a little Yamaha keyboard and I was amazed at what you could do with it so I went and bought a big fancy one which is my main writing tool.

Paz: You have performed almost everywhere, is it true you performed to passengers on the Manly Ferry?

Tony: Mmm, Yeah, my music teacher, Mr Peachy would make me practice the accordion on the way to the eisteddfods to loosen my fingers and calm my nerves, but by the time I got there I was pretty much played out, and stiff ...and still nervous.

Paz: How did you overcome those nerves to perform at a young age?

Tony: I used self hypnosis to get over my nerves and I gained a better understanding of myself which helped me to achieve my very best and maintain the high standard that I have come to set. I am very disciplined and as an instructor, I have a masters in 'Tae kwon do' (6 Dan) and also refereed in the sport in Sydney and WA.

Paz: What is your best moment?

Tony: There have been many; like finally winning The City of Sydney Open Championship, meeting my wife Maria, who has been my inspiration and drive, and when I played in my home town in Italy then 5 years later when I returned to play a festival in front of 2000 people, I was blown away that they remembered my songs and were singing along to the lyrics of 'Make it Simple'

Paz: What is your worst moment?

Tony: That would have to be Christmas 1974 in Darwin 'Velvet Canon' were contracted at a holiday resort playing for tourists 4-5 nights a week for a year until the cyclone wiped us out. Our gear was wrecked and we lost everything. But we were extremely lucky to be alive. It was a long, scary night. Do Tell: The most frightening experience I've ever had. I went outside to see what was going on when I got lifted  5 ft in the air then finally dropped back down to the ground, there was no power and everyone was isolated in the chaotic darkness. I couldn't think about looking for anyone else but had to heed self preservation and take refuge somewhere until the morning. I have fought off a 6ft, launching crocodile, with just a net, without an ounce of fear but this was a nightmare of pure terror and adrenalin and I truly thought it was the end for all of us. It wasn't until the morning that I realised I had been running around with a big shard of glass lodged in my foot. Mercy!

Paz: You have written over 120 songs but only recorded just 20 or so, why is that?

Tony: I had a great opportunity and casual arrangement with Shaun Looker at Jungle Studios where we would record tracks and he would add some guitar parts. But then he went back to New Zealand and I never really thought about it much, till now. I've been happy just to write and perform my songs and see what works and what doesn't  so I've got a fair bit of catching up to do.

Paz: How does it feel to have artists perform and record your songs?

Tony: It's amazing and a great recognition of your work knowing that other artists like your songs. Most of my songs are written in 2 languages and can be easily varied and done at different tempos and rhythms and many are designed for shows, which is also appealing.

Paz: What does your music mean to you?

Tony: Music is a big part of me. I've always enjoyed playing and expressing myself in my songs. Sunday is my writing day when I go down to my little studio space and create with a clear head. My songs are simple and from the heart and I've always  just followed wherever it's taken me and I'm pleased to see that people are enjoying what I do as much as I am, and now with the new CD I can give them something more to take home with them .

You can find out more on Tony from his new website www.talentcake.com/tonynero