* I rarely write solely about myself ... but April 18 is my birthday, and I thought it apropo to write this piece to further define and describe just what "The Music of DLivahh" is all about. So, my goal is that if you are a friend or fan of Tony DLivahh and my music, then you will be informed and entertained. Warning: I may actually get opinionated in this blog!* Tony DLivahh: AN ORIGIN STORY "Different but Good!" Tony DLivahh's music incorporates his signature guitar sounds, which are very "classic rock" like, and a flourish of keyboard/piano work throughout. The rhythms vary and the vocals are soaring. The lyrics are often intense . . . designed to convey messages about Life, love, God, comedy ... and even pain. The passion comes through with every song. The name "DLivahh" refers to being 'delivered' from darkness and other types of struggles one may endure in life. Tony's musical influences are varied: The Beatles, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull; and many prog rock bands, including Yes, ELO, Kansas, etc. Guitar players: Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Phil Keaggy, Terry Kath (old Chicago), Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Mark II), Carlos Santana, to name a few. Christian artists: Keith Green, Michael Omartian, Chuck Girard, Russ Taff and Dallas Holm. Tony's musical influence runs deep, as does his spirit. After many years perfecting his craft, performing in many different types of venues, including years of leading praise/worship in churches, Tony has returned to his rock roots. Before moving to Phoenix, AZ, Tony spent quite a bit of time honing his "new sound" in Branson, MO ... where he met many performers, and indeed got to perform there as well. He has produced 8 studio albums, including some instrumental cds, all with a very strong prog rock influence . . . hence, the genre "Prog Spirit Rock", i.e. Progressive Spiritual Rock. The thrust of "The Music of DLivahh" is to hopefully "deliver" songs to the downtrodden, to those who have been throught life's struggles, tried & failed, but still willing to keep on going to find freedom from a mundane existence. Although the music ROCKS, the message is the same: Delivering folks from darkness and dreary lives, to a sense of possiblility of Freedom and Victory. (From The Bio, ReverbNation). I love music. I love creating it. But I especially love and enjoy performing the songs that I've been given by inspiration from above. It has been said about me that when I perform, a gift or spirit of JOY is released amongst the audience ... and I think that's very cool as I have a lot of joy to share, a lot of joy to express. Today, I'm sharing the story of the journey, my journey to becoming TONY DLIVAHH. FROM WORSHIP LEADER TO ROCK STAR? Usually in christian testimonies, you will see the exact opposite. You know, how this musician was big in a rock band, got saved and then quit the band and started to do original christian songs. Well, that's not me. Nothing wrong with any of that, it's just my story is a little bit different. I started out actually in 1974, when I wrote my 1st song for guitar, "Lord of My Life", a short little ditty. Later ca. 1984 I started writing original tunes about God & Life. All of that, along with the times I played a coffeehouse or "sang for my supper" was just training for what was to come. You see, the Spirit of God came to me one day and showed me that a certain personna I was trying to fit into, that wasn't really me. Now, I've seen that dynamic before ... where a guy who was pastoring and wearing 3-piece suits was told by God to grow his hair and beard out, buy a Harley and be the real self he was on the inside. Result: Biker Pastor. It was effective for him. The Holy Spirit simply said to me, "I'm returning you to your 'rock roots'". And along with that I received some prophecies about affecting or influencing the music biz and such. What I do know, is that I was frustrated just being "behind the keyboard". Even though, at times I was leading worship with my guitar. There was moments of spontaneity and "songs of the Lord" coming forth, but I still, deep inside wasn't satisfied. I knew that I was called to more. "A high calling in music" doesn't only mean doing praise/worship and the like. It can be a minstrel who travels who touches many hearts who are out there in the crowds. And so, I wanted to be able to express my total creativity in writing and song-crafting in a genre that I loved: Prog Rock. It was about 2006 when I was developing the idea of DLIVAHH. It started when I was online, and I noticed that there were a lot of artists who had my last name, Prince. Well, I guess I wanted to try to avoid redundancy. What stage name would work for me, as a "one man band"?? I prayed. I thought hard. Then, I realized that I had some experience in "delivery", not just packages but also babies! AND I was an up-and-coming deliverance minister to boot. So, through various tries and forms, I heard in my heart the name "D'Livahh"! Play on words! And the slogan "Music that Delivers" (dual meaning). Well, there you have it. And after some time, thanks to my good friend and radio genius Allen Cox, I was dubbed "Tony DLivahh". And it stuck. I like it. FROM PROG ROCK TO DIVERSITY As my 1st banner above depicts, I created a new musical genre called, "Prog Spirit Rock" (progressive spiritual rock). And the Lion has a dual meaning there, can you figure that out? It's a spiritual concept, from the Bible. Not to mention that Lions are BOLD. So it's no mystery that I love rock music, and I had quite a vinyl collection growing up to prove that. And I also loved to go to as many rock concerts as I could. Even as a Believer, I tried to go to as many christian concerts and festivals as I could. Since my appreciation for music is quite broad (also dig me some jazz and some classical etc.), I desired to expand my musical "prowess" into some other genres. Like on "Behind The Mask", I experiment with Big Band style. But my goal is just to express each song with the musical style that fits each tune. It is not my goal to be a "utility player", just playing anything and everything. No, there is method to my madness. Then there are the instrumental albums ... working on one right now, as a matter of fact. Also put out a Christmas album, all public domain carols, with 3 originals attached. And I also have a "gospel archives" album that may sound like a bunch of demos, but I'm mastering it as well. Then, I have another surprise in the works, "Tony Delivers the Goods" (get it??). Yeah ... hope that one kicks some serious butt. I've done a bulk of my work in my private tiny home-studio, and I may not be world-class quality, but I'm working on that, trying to get better and better at what I do. I don't know what your opinion is on christian music, but honestly I have listened to, and played a lot of it. I am thankful for the very great christian rock bands out there, throughout time. But when it comes to the daily fare on christian radio, and even in the praise/worship genre, I began to notice that a lot of it just sounds alike. I realize that everyone has their tastes and favorite bands and such, and radio stations have their formats. But it seemed, when I was starting The Music of DLivahh back in 2006, not many were shaking up the sounds, and being innovative. I could count them all on one hand, those that were. I think the music is just as important as the lyrical content. We should strive for excellence and play skillfully, and not be afraid to be creative and even "break the rules" occasionally. The song above hopes to achieve that goal. Lyrically, it's an allegory ... musically it tries to push the envelope and be "different but good". Anyway, you can listen to it and enjoy it too. *Here's an example of some of my "mad skills" on the electric guitar & keys*: https://tonydlivahh.bandcamp.com/track/rebellious-child-rc-jam MINISTRY OR WHAT? I often do not refer to what I do as "ministry" ... believing that my music is an overflow of everything else that God has me doing in life, but I think that the music does "minister" to folks. It's different not being in a church=scene, where the responses may be delayed or at least not always readily seen. Now when I'm doing a concert, I love to watch the faces of the people and I try to connect to them while I'm doing my thing. Which brings me to content. I write songs about God, for sure, but also about Life and things in creation ... basically whatever is laid upon my heart to write about. And that could be some "activist" thing or some issue that needs to be dealt with. The Music of DLivahh is meant to be BOLD and go where no artist has gone before! So, I can't be afraid to tackle subjects that may be controversial or stuff others wouldn't touch. Remember, the goal is, no matter the genre of music, to reach people where they live PLUS give their ears something they haven't heard before, but something they are hungry and thirsty for. I AM GRATEFUL I'm thankful for the distance where I've come from, and all the experience in doing praise & worship, it's all good. It was enjoyable and fun and we had some great spiritual times. I wanted to make that clear, that I still believe that leading people into the presence of God, or at least helping them get there, is a worthy and honorable calling. But I'm also glad that The Lord let me branch out and expand and thrusted me into what I'm doing now. No regrets. I love what I'm doing and I hope to be able to keep doing it for a long, long time. MY LINKS: https://www.facebook.com/TonyDLivahhMusic https://www.reverbnation.com/tonydlivahh http://tonydlivahh.bandcamp.com/