In this episode of Say It Skillfully,Ā Molly is joined by Nashville Hall of Fame singer-songwriter, Tony Arata, and his unexpected journey to the limelight of his craft, without that ever being his intention.Ā
Being "last of the litter" with 4 older siblings, Tony shares, "my parents were the best role models ever...mom with a 5th, and dad, a 3rd grade education." Pivotal moments are a themeā€”a chance gift of a $50 guitar from his brother with a treasure trove of all his siblings' albums are what ignited Tony's musical interest and "fancying to be a songwriter." Hear how Aretha Franklin's R-E-S-P-E-C-T and 11th grade English teacher Sally Scott putting Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath in his hands were pivotal in his epiphany: "Songs come from people, not the radio or albums."Ā
