H O P E - Tony Brannon
Tony was raised in the entertainment world by his father who opened Bermuda's 1st International nightclub the 40 Thieves Club in 1962. Everyone from Mel Torme, Gladys Knight, Wilson Pickett, Cilla Black, Matt Monro, The Shirelles, King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones and dozens more performed at the 40. In 1970/1971 he was assistant to the tour manager on the Tom Jones US tours working alongside Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Count Basie Orchestra. Whist at the Cornell Hotel School - Tony joined the Cornell Concert Commission in the fall of 1973. The CCC team brought some amazing artists to Ithaca including: Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, YES, Aerosmith, Santana, The Band, Deep Purple, Chick Corea, Loggins & Messina, Jim Croce, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Larry Coryell, Sly & The Family Stone (Andy Newmark was on drums!) In 1978 Tony built Bermuda's 1st disco - Disco 40. TB produced entertainment in Bermuda for over 30 years and created the Lennon Bermuda Peace Day Concerts. Artists he brought to Bermuda include: Nils Lofgren, Paul Carrack, Paul Young, Hiram Bullock/Will Lee, John Sebastian, Billy Preston, Jeff Golub, Roger McGuinn, Judie Tzuke, Squeeze, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Biggie Irie, Splashband, Spice & Co, Tony O'Malley, Jimmy Keys, Peaches & Herb, Gary US Bonds, The Fab Faux, Ramsey Lewis, Stanley Turrentine, The Hamish Stuart Band, Jamie Lawson. Tony has played keyboards for Maxi Priest, Nils Lofgren (E Street Band) and has been the band leader in numerous Bermudian bands.