BIO
TONY COLLINS
Nicknamed the “Tartan Cowboy” started singing from an early age at family party’s and backcourt concerts in Glasgow. Heavily influenced by Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Elvis and the Beatles, Tony bought his first guitar at fourteen (on Tic) and began writing songs.
Leaving school at fifteen, he had variety of jobs before joining the army, becoming a Physical Training Instructor gaining top coaching qualification specialising in boxing and soccer.
Music however was always on the agenda, fronting bands and performing solo in countries like Germany, Norway and the Middle East, entertaining the troops and civilians alike. A meeting with Army Scripture Reader Jimmy Kirk resulted in Tony’s personal Epiphany. Offered a position as a Player / Coach with Dunedin F.C. New Zealand Tony left the army.
God it seemed however had a different path for him to travel, marriage to his lovely wife Patricia, Bible College training followed by employment as a Programme Director with the Y.M.C.A . working in the heart of community with young people and families and those marginalised, disenchanted and disaffected in society.
Music was a major part of the package with Tony performing his Self- penned Country, Gospel, Folk and Comedy songs on various platforms from Pubs to Pulpits to Prisons, Folk Cubs and Festivals.
Music and sport come together when training for the Glasgow Marathon, he wrote and recorded a comedy/novelty song called “Marathon Man” which became the official Glasgow Marathon song.
As Youth Development Coach at Partick Thistle F.C. he was invited to choreograph scene’s for a BBC film called “The Gift” featuring former Scotland player and Manchester United Manager Tommy Docherty and the legendary Jim Baxter.
A soccer coaching tour of the USA coupled with radio interviews promoting “Marathon Man” led to a chance meeting with country music hall of fame legend George Jones in LasVegas.
Glasgow genetics and diet (deep fried Mars Bars) kick in, resulting in a triple heart by-pass and a move to a farm cottage overlooking the beautiful beaches of Northumberland
Four children now grown up and left the nest, Tony and Pat decide to lead a quiet life and become Foster Parents. Quiet lifestyle no, richly rewarding most certainly.
Surrounded by the beautiful tapestry of creation, song writing inspiration flourishes and results in Country and Gospel songs like “Back On The Road Again” and ”Guided By The Light”.
Take the boy out of Glasgow, but you can’t take Glasgow out of the boy, with the creation of alter/ego Tonto MacGregor, and comedy/novelty songs like Shell Suit Sally, Irn Bru and Porridge Oats.
Back to the city is the next step as Tony and Pat return home to help care for elderly relatives and to be near some of their many grandchildren. Retirement however is not an option as Tony has spent the last number of years travelling, performing, writing and recording songs that enjoy radio play from Fairfax Alaska to Aukland New Zealand.