Tony James: 　　Eleven tracks testify to music’s redemptive power 　　 　　Fans and friends of Tony James are celebrating the release of his long-awaited solo debut album. In eleven original compositions, the self-titled Tony James showcases the unique gifts of this multitalented performer, who has won acclaim as a musician, stage performer, and actor. 　　 　　Tony James displays a versatile range of styles and sounds, drawing on two decades as a worldwide performer. Piercing lyrics sung in a compelling, yearning voice provide convincing evidence of music’s redemptive power in this artist’s life. 　　 　　Urgent, percussion-driven tunes such as “Get to Me” and “Heaven” hearken to Tony’s early career as one of New York’s most sought after drummers/percussionists and a founder of the pioneering band Maggie's Dream (Capitol Records). In acoustic strummers such as “The Lesson” and “So Much to Live,” Tony reflects on life’s big questions with understated, musical grace. In “Fine” and “Strong Enough to Smile,” Tony delivers hope with passion and precision. 　　 　　“So Much to Live” earned Tony a 2006 Los Angeles Music Award nomination as Adult Alternative Male Singer/Songwriter of the Year. 　　The song was also nominated for a New Mexico Music Award for Best Rock/Adult Contemporary song. 　　 　　Even before co-founding Maggie’s Dream, Tony established himself as a premier studio and stage musician by working with artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Billy Squier, Brenda K. Starr (with Mariah Carey), Lenny Kravitz, Coolio, PM Dawn, Charles & Eddie, Dave Koz, Darden Smith, David Yazbek, and Jeffrey Gaines. Tony also won acclaim as co-star of the Emmy-nominated Disney series Out of the Box and as an original American cast member of the Off-Broadway sensation STOMP. 　　 　　All of those experiences, it seems, contributed richly to this collection. But Tony James also unveils a portrait of the artist that’s more complete than fans may realize. In addition to playing drums and percussion, Tony composed all the songs (except one, co-written with Julian Harris); produced the album; played acoustic guitar, electric guitars, organ, piano, and strings; and provided lead and backing vocals on all the tracks. 　　 　　Tony James is supported by a world-class lineup of musicians, including Grammy-winning co-producer/guitar virtuoso Larry Mitchell; multi-platinum artist Billy Squier (The Stroke, In the Dark, My Kinda Lover); Jon Kurzweg (Creed, Puddle of Mudd); ; songwriter/producer Jeff Coplan (Zomba/BMG); bassist/producer Nicola Stemmer (Violent Femmes, David Yazbek) and guitarist Vini Miranda (Dido). 　　 　　On the opening track, Tony sings “Won’t you let me in the foreground?” By the end of this much anticipated album, there’s no question: Tony James belongs there.