Growing up there were no hedges, gardens or trees, just bricks and factories in a dull,"grey" typical heavy industrialised area. When I was 5 or 6 years old, my father took my brothers and I to the Aston Hippodrome and I was stunned to see the lights, colours and a band of singing cowboys. Then onto the stage walked Roy Rogers !with his horse called trigger a beautiful Palomino stallion. A striking golden coloured horse with a white mane and tail that could count and do tricks. Roy Rogers followed with quick draw tricks sharp-shooting his rifle. I was in  another world.  The group of cowboys came back on and they all sang these country songs. I remember walking home tired but elated. I had actually seen Roy Rogers for real right  there in front of me.

Work commitments, marriages and children all meant that none of us were in a position to tour. “Country Spirit” was the best rehearsed and competent on the circuit at the time. That I have no hesitation in saying.  Much of this stage organisation and dedication was due to Gary Cooper. A really good guitarist and the best harmoniser in the business. His attention to detail always amazed me. He's moved to America I hope he's still playing and having a good life He should be playing he was born to. The band eventually broke up.

I had started a business that risked my house and  I had to give it my all. My love of country never died. A couple of members of an equally well known outfit that had folded contacted Trevor and Eleanor and wondered if they knew any singers who might like to form a band.  "Montana Spirit " was born. Phil, Keith, Trevor, Eleanor, Gordon Bailey on drums, me on vocals, although I got a rest this time as Eleanor and Phil both did numbers giving me and the audience a break. Eventually, this band sort of faltered and petered out. There I was  back in the house or watching and listening to country music, mostly at the "Silver Trees" c/w club run by Beryl and Bob at the Old Oscott working mans club in Great Barr,( a very well run friendly place all you c/w fans) kind of enjoying it but restless itching to perform One night I picked my guitar up and songs rolled out songs in my head they were just there.

While writing my own songs  a new-found enthusiasm came. I bought a new P.A system plus a disc player and set about rehearsing.   I performed my first serious gig on Friday 5th October 07 at the Bromford sports and social club,Church rd Erdington......on my own ...solo....gulp....I will let you know how it goes. As for the first 2 c.d's..."Ten from the heart" is what it says it is.A mixture of true stories and imagined times. You decide which is which."I can't recall her face" is true.

They were showing a trailer on tv about the re-make of "King Kong" and showed Fay Wray from the original. I thought of a teenage love Fay. I couldn't remember what she looked like. Her dad blocked the blossoming of true love and I was heartbroken for days. The song 'I could not recall her face,' was born.

  I have always been deeply interested in the Native American beliefs, battles won and lost, betrayals, treachery and even the religion is all deeply interesting to me. "Written on the wind" is my interpretation of those life and times. The Apache Indians who I got to spend a little time with have organised adapted yet still keep their identity.  The American Civil War is likewise deeply intense and fascinating...a million stories of bravery determination sheer guts and heroism.  

The cd  ‘If You Don’t Mind’ came about because of a man called Mick Lawson, a talented local man who I have known a long time who owns a recording studio. Mick-turned up and asked to listen to me sing and play a few songs that I had written. I played and sang the 5 songs I had and said that I wanted to add another 5 "covers" of other peoples songs, he said "Come and see me when you’ve written another 5 of your own unless you think you can sing a Willy Nelson song better than him". A month later I turned up at his studios and recorded at the Silver Birch Studios in Erdington, Birmingham.  Another great moment for me anyway was when my grand daughter Katie sang with me in the studio, 15 years old and as nervous as a kitten. Mick was great putting her at ease so she breezed through it like a seasoned professional. Thank you Kate for doing that with me. 

I have to mention my old dear friend Simon Hartle a talented photographer who kindly took all the shots for the C D covers he has helped me through some low times a rock of a man. Thank you for letting me share this part of my life with you all. I do hope you enjoy and listen to my music here.

Tony Rigby