Tony Drake and The Gentlemen of Thrill

TONY DRAKE One of soul music’s most respected session guitarists, Tony Drake has worked with some of the genre’s top artists. Mr. Drake started playing professionally at the age of 14, at clubs and parties in the Los Angeles area along with a “permission slip” from his mother. At the age of 16, he was accepted into the Dawkins Conservatory of Music where he studied classical guitar for two years, and later studied privately with the well known guitarist, John Blaylock in the South Bay area. After studying with Mr. Blaylock, Tony traveled with ”Little” Johnny Taylor, Mr. Johnny Taylor, Ronnie Dyson, T-Bone Walker and many other professional groups in the 60's even alongside then unknown guitarist, Jimmy Hendrix on the same bill. During this period he also was accompanied by his legendary mentors, Guitarist David T. Walker and Drummer Paul Humphrey.

In the 70's, Mr. Drake became a staff musician for 20th Century Fox Studios doing numerous T.V. shows such as “Julia” starring Diahann Carroll, “The Lucille Ball Show” and the “Leslie Neilson Show”. In the later part of the 70's, Mr. Drake was signed with A&M Records as a staff musician and recorded and toured with most of the artists on the label including, Herb Alpert, Merry Clayton, Cheech and Chong, and many others. He was also a member of the Count Basie Orchestra, H.B. Barnum’s Big Band, and performed on various television specials and award shows such as the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethons, Lou Rawls Parade of Stars, American Music Awards, and The Grammy’s. It was also during this time that Mr. Drake became the lead guitarist for the Checkmates and traveled extensively with them for four years. When the Checkmates disbanded, he began to tour with such groups as The Fifth Dimension, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. (when they left the group to do their own act), Gloria Lynn, Little Esther Phillips, Aretha Franklin, Marla Gibbs, The Crusaders, Jimmy Witherspoon, Cher, Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Barry White, The Sylvers and others.

Tony Drake was also a one of the “LA Motown Funk Brothers” (when Motown moved their studio from Detroit) and recorded countless hit tracks with David T. Walker, Ray Parker Jr., Wah Wah Watson, Bill Upchurch, Ron Brown, James Gadson, Nate Neblett and Paul Humphrey for many artists at the time. He also co-produced the song, “Choo-Choo” with Paul Humphrey that became the break song for then the new popular radio station, KJLH-FM originally founded by Barrington (Barry) Tate Sr., and John Lamar Hill of Angelus Funeral Home that gained attention by placing upcoming vocalists, singing groups and brilliant musicians like Tony Drake, Larry Farrow, Billy Preston and others in the public eye and was the first black owned radio station of its kind to “spotlight” all the great Los Angeles players from the Crenshaw, Compton, Hollywood and other surrounding areas, some of who would become some of the greatest entertainers of all time. This experience benefited Tony and gained him even more recognition going forward. Later in the early 80's Tony toured with groups such as En Vogue.

Through the mid 80's, Mr. Drake became the cherished personal guitarist of the renown singer and actress Della Reese for many years and joined back up touring with Barry White on his European and Africa tours throughout the 90's until he started touring with the late great Lou Rawls along with David. T. Walker up to Mr. Rawls passing in 2006.

Tony Drake continues his musical creativity as an arranger, writer, and musical director and producer alongside his wife, Lisa Gay and their musical Classic Soul/Jazz Group, “Lisa Gay and The Gentlemen of Thrill”. Described by the “LA Weekly” during their worldwide television performance during LA’s now Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s March 2005 primary as “The most smokin’ soulful band”, along with commentary and repeated footage by Los Angeles stations, KABC-TV, KCAL, KNBC, and on the Internet.. No doubt “The Greaseman” had struck again with his years of experience and musicality that influences this sonic band’s presentation to diverse and “ageless” audiences everywhere.

This year is the NEW release of Mr. Tony Drake’s, “The Tony Drake Project” in Fall 2007 that features the stellar single version of “God Bless The Child” with T.D., Greg Cook (Keyboards), “Jevonny “JV” Collier (Bass), Raymond Pounds (Drums) and another legend, Leon Haywood on B-3 Organ. Produced by: Tony Drake and Leanard Jackson -Engineered by Leanard Jackson (“Lakeside’s Fantastic Voyage”,”Car Wash” and too many more soul musical credits to name here simply..Lea’s the best!) More from the “Gentlemen of Thrill Band” and other legendary musicians of all time with a brand new sound of soul for the new ages!

For Bookings: Contact Coave Music/Clemenza Records @ (323) 732-6336 or [email protected]

[email protected]
Tony Drake’s Guitars and Gear*
L5-Epiphone Guitars (Hollowbodies rule!)
L5-Ibanez
Carvin Amplifiers
Roland VG88 Guitar System (works great with my Oscar Schmidt for any sound!)

*Always a “BIG THANKS” to: Mark Riccardi at Carvin Sound (Hollywood) Michael Duarte (Live Recording/ Sound Tech and one HIP Bass player!!) Roger Whiting (Live Recording and Sound Tech) Levi Alexander (Carpetman Cartage Services) Always on time my Man!! ON the word side: PJ!! Crowder! Babygirl!, Thanks for keeping all of us out there! Brother Barrrington S. Tate Jr..thanks for keeping us “alive” in all your super reviews, “word of mouth” and public “B-works” to pack out all of our events!!

Check out Lisa Gay and Thrill to hear more from Tony Drake and upcoming performances, new releases with this sonic group along with music, video clips, and further contact information for corporate, special events and music festival dates under their Mighty Three Productions.

Experience the “The Jazz Channel presents Lou Rawls” (BET JAZZ) where you can also see and hear Tony’s sizzling solo work with one of the greatest soul singers of our time along with some of Tony’s great musical friends, Mr. Kenny Elliot (Drums), Curtis Robinson (Bass),and Billy Hulting (Percussion) and Musical Director Jeff Collea ..boards, in a full blown horn, killer background vocal presentation with “The Greaseman” gliding his strings right under Lou’s timeless voice. This is on DVD via the Internet, Amazon, Tower and various retail outlets worldwide.

You’ve heard Tony Drake in the past on such hits as “Part Time Love”, “Mr. Big Stuff”, “Bad Mamma Jamma” along with countless others, now hear how in this new age Tony Drake grooves on other stellar CD projects via the Artist’s own sites, CD BABY and other outlets...

Mark Cargill (Violinist): “For Your Love”, “Christmas Jazz”

Adam Jackson (Singer): “I'm Glad There Is You”

Larry Washington (Drummer): “Spiritual Inspirations”

Hello Beautiful People!! Let me know what you think and tell everybody you know to “COME ON DOWN’ and get your feet “GREASY” with the original “Greaseman of Soul”.... ME! Mr. Tony Drake! I can’t wait to hear from you and thank you in advance for visiting my space!