Tony Basley profile picture

Tony Basley

About Me

After more than twenty-two years behind the drums, Tony Basley has moved to the front of the stage. His much anticipated solo album, Callipygous, was released in September 2007 on Kalos Records. The Country-Bluesy-Rock album has been described as: "whiskey drinkin', butt kickin' country." Recording for the album began in the summer of 2006 at Soundworks Recording Studio, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.Callipygous includes two new versions of the songs "Heavy Duty Lover" and "What I Know Now," which were written by Tony, and recorded on the first two EasyChair albums. Also included are covers of four 70's classics: "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)? by Looking Glass, "Take a Letter Maria" by R. B Greaves, "Shanty" by Jonathan Edwards, and "Why Don't We Get Drunk (and Screw)" by Jimmy Buffett. Tony wrote two new songs for Callipygous, "Angel from Hell," and "White Trash Barbie Doll."The album features some hard-hitting talent. The line-up includes: Mike Schlenker and Bronson Bergeson on guitar, Ryan O'Connor and Jassen Wilber on bass, Cory Dahl on drums, Mona Rongholt-Rondeau singing back-up vocals (along with Ryan O'Connor), and Mike Vlahakis ..s. Vlahakis also engineered, mixed, mastered, and co-produced the project. Tony plays acoustic guitar on all songs, and drums on two songs.Tony Basley began his musical career at age fifteen, playing with Rockin' Horse, a 50's & 60's cover band, based in his home town of Ashland, Wisconsin. When most moms are busy hauling kids to soccer games, his mother would drive him and his drums to and from gigs. She would say he began his career at two when he would pull all the pots and pans out of the cupboards and play them like drums with wooden spoons.Tony continued to play with numerous bands over the years, that is, until being fed up with the music business, he attempted to retire in 2001. This is when he was called to play with a new band forming to write and release an original album. Six years and three albums later, EasyChair still enjoys global success. The members have moved on to other projects, but still manage to perform together occasionally.I addition to his musical career, Tony served eleven years as a Combat Engineer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, ending his service in 1999 as a Staff Sergeant. He also earned a Vocational Diploma in Electronics from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He is currently a graduate student at UW Stout and serving as a Logistical Specialist in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 06/06/2007
Band Website: http://www.tonybasley.com
Band Members: LIVE BAND

Tony Basley - Acoustic Guitar & Lead Vocals
Mike Schlenker - Lead Guitar
Willie Chopper - Piano & Organ
Ryan O’Connor - Bass & Back-Up Vocals; Road Manager
Jason Introwitz - Drums
Mona Rongholt-Rondeau - Back-Up Vocals
"Bongo" Ben White - FOH Engineer (Electric band); Percussion (Acoustic band)

STUDIO BAND

Tony Basley - Acoustic Guitar & Lead Vocals

(Drums on Brandy and Angel from Hell)
Mike Schlenker - Lead Guitar
Bronson Bergeson - Lead Guitar
Mike Vlahakis - Piano & Organ
Ryan O’Connor - Bass & Back-Up Vocals
Jassen Wilber - Bass (on White Trash Barbie Doll)
Cory Dahl - Drums (except on Brandy and Angel from Hell)
Mona Rongholt-Rondeau - Back-Up Vocals

CALLIPYGOUS CD PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Produced By: Tony Basley & Mike Vlahakis

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Mike Vlahakis at:
SoundWorks Recording Studio , Eau Claire, WI

Manufacturing by: Mastertrack , Soquel, CA

Artwork and Photography by: Tony Basley
Influences: Dr. McGillicuddy & Spotted Cow
Sounds Like: A million bucks
Record Label: Kalos Records - www.kalosrecords.com
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

You know youre from Wisconsin if.......

You know how to polka, but never tried it sober You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means. You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the reception and we...
Posted by on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:17:00 GMT

Wimmens!

A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband.  Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:   ...
Posted by on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:28:00 GMT

Public Rest Rooms

Originally Posted on My personal Blog: Monday, October 09, 2006 ..>   Public Rest Rooms Current mood: aggravated Category: Life Who the hell is designing public rest rooms? It seems all of...
Posted by on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:46:00 GMT

Sandis first winter in Wisconsin

December 8It started to snow! This is my first winter in Wisconsin and I don't miss California. Tony and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down f...
Posted by on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:46:00 GMT

Songs you will NEVER see on my set list

I know I am going to get a major flame job for this, but here goes. Here is the list of songs you will never see me put on a set list. I have literally played them all at least a thousand times, and h...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:11:00 GMT

CD Release Party Set for October 21st

The CD release Party is set for Sunday, October 21st, 7:00pm. Stones Throw, 304 Eau Claire Street, Eau Claire, WI (21+).The studio band will perform, along with opening act, Trailer 23, gues...
Posted by on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 15:04:00 GMT

Callipygous Album/Song Reviews

Please post your reviews of the Callipygous album, and any comments on the songs, here!
Posted by on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:50:00 GMT