Anthony reaps rewards with 'Million Chance'

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

For much of 2010, Toronto-based reggae singer Tony Anthony split his time between recording studios and his day job as a videographer at Omni Television in that Canadian city.

The result was Million Chance, his debut album.

The gruelling schedule seems to have paid off, as the lovers rock artiste won three awards at Sunday's Canadian Reggae Achievement Awards in Toronto. He topped the Best Male Vocalist, Best Songwriter and Album of the Year categories.

Million Chance was also nominated for Reggae Recording of the Year in the 2011 JUNO Awards, Canada's version of the Grammy Awards. Anthony was one of the artistes in the Breakthrough Artiste of the Year category at the EME Awards which were held in Kingston in March.

Million Chance was co-produced by Anthony, Patrick Williams and Nadera Jackson for his Phylani Music label. To date, two songs - Torn and Love You So Much - have been released from it.

While the album has a strong lovers rock flavour, Anthony said he never targeted a particular market.

"I create my songs with the intent to suit the musical palates of everyone. Saying that, I know the core market for my type of music is Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Africa," he explained. "However, my specific market is the world."

Born Mark Bennett in Grove Farm, St Catherine, Anthony has been a regular on the Canadian reggae scene for over a decade. Previously, he was a member of the Crucial Vibes, Tatix and After Dark bands, which each released albums.

Since going solo, Anthony says he has done mostly private dates as well as performed on festivals in North America. Last year, he said his main priority was recording a full-length project which would be an homage of sorts to his musical mentors.

"I grew up listening to American soul music, people like Marvin Gaye and Percy Sledge, and I've always admired Jimmy Cliff, Bob Andy, Beres Hammond, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley," he said.

"These artistes have all played a role in the way I approach and create my music," he added.