|
Hello, I'm Tony, and I'm pleased to welcome you to my website. Honestly, I never thought I'd have a website. For that matter, I never thought I'd be called an author. If there ever was an accidental author, it's me!
I was surprised the first time I was introduced as an author to an audience in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. I wanted to say, "No, I'm just a storyteller," because I couldn't believe I could be an author simply by telling stories from my life of 60-plus years; but now that I've published three books, I'll take the title. Postponed Storytelling Event My event scheduled for today, Sunday, March 12, at 1:00 has been postponed to a later date that will be announce soon. My apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused to those planning on attending. Tony Other March 2023 News As I wrote at the beginning of February, the new year got off to a bumpy start. But March 1st got kicked off when a person I met for dinner told me that he was so touched by reading my book, Cherish, that he handed me three Woodstock tickets in perfect mint condition, untouched. He'd been saving them for 54 year, and thought I should be the person who should have them. The magic continues! And as always, in the words of Bob Dylan . . . May God bless and keep you always, May your song always be sung And may you stay forever young. Looking for new activities in the weeks ahead? A wonderful afternoon out and a nice way to meet new friends is to attend one of my storytelling events on the Monterey Peninsula. Upcoming public events are listed on my Calendar page. At public events in bookstores, libraries, etc., my storytelling is accompanied by good friend and guitarist, Peter Rust, and possibly others in the months to come. These events include refreshments and book sales and signings after the show. At private parties I'm known as an entertainer who gets things off on the right foot. I'm there to break the ice and help guests feel relaxed and happy to be there. At all events, but especially at private parties, hosts want the party to go seamlessly with a distinctive form of entertainment. I enjoy that role, and once assured that the party is running smoothly, I discreetly disappear, allowing the host to carry on. Please direct your request for more information about booking an event to Nansea, my publicist and website coordinator, at tonyalbano1969@icloud.com BLOG UPDATE In a recent blog, I shared an incredible opportunity that came my way . . . to be a guest on the CanDo Chronicles podcast. Topic: "People with disabilities, and what they can do, rather than what they can't do." The interview took place on February 27, and you can read about my first experience on a podcast in today's blog. I'll let you know when the podcast can be viewed online. Although blogging is a new type of writing for me, I'm enjoying the process quite a lot. It's challenging to write briefly, but it's rewarding to receive positive comments on this site. I LOVE it when readers hit that "Like" button, but better still is when comments are shared. I enjoy reading your thoughts about the topics I present, and the stories I tell. My blogging goal is to entertain and inspire as I share a variety of topics and stories. And I especially enjoy educating others about the lives of amputees, both canine and human, like Brie and me. February 8th's blog post is called, "No More Excuses," about physical exercise. I think the topic is relatable to many of us, especially at the start of a new year. Back on February 13, I posted a story about my experience as a talk show host on a radio station in Monterey's Cannery Row shortly after I moved to California. If you enjoy it, or any of my other blog posts, I kindly encourage you to leave your comments, however brief. If you have a blog, please let me know, and I will reciprocate. BLOG CATEGORIES
BOOKS IN THE WORKS
As a teenager I began writing down the important events of my life; but there was one story that I never told anyone, a piece of my life I always kept secret. It took one year to live, but 50 years to finally tell it in my book, Cherish, a New York Teenager and a Nun Learn about Love. (You can see by the title why I never told anyone!) Cherish was published in 2021.
Life is a Bumpy Road is my first book, a collection of true short stories beginning with my Brooklyn, New York youth. Later in the book I tell the stories of how I met my wife, Pat, who's 14 years older than me, and the surprising events that lead to us selling our New York deli, and moving cross country to live on the incredibly beautiful Monterey Peninsula. My three books are available on Amazon, but if you would like personalized signed copies, please contact me at tonyalbano1969@icloud.com, and I will get them to you at a more affordable price. They're also available at the following Carmel area businesses:
BOOK REVIEWS "Tony is the consummate storyteller. It's in his DNA. He knows how to weave a tale filled with pathos, humor, drama, comedy, and wisdom. Read him. You won't be sorry." Cathleen Young, author and Hollywood screenwriter "Dear Tony, I just finished your book and found it enthralling. Absolutely wonderful. Especially your detailed-memories, your ethics and values, your desire to be on the side of the underdog, your honesty, your openness and on. Congratulations." Hans "A wonderful and enjoyable read. Why? An acceptance of our daily existence; an awareness of our feelings and emotions as we live our life; the joy and humor of our life; the connection and love between us that is so often hidden." Frank Boren on A Leg to Stand On "First four chapters read. You tell a fabulous story in vivid and palpable detail I am so pleased. (I see De Niro playing your grandfather.) Charles Goldberg on Cherish "Just finished “Cherish.” Here are some of my observations: Your recall of childhood/teenage events and conversations is amazing; You have a way of telling your life story that captivates the reader’s attention. Thank you for being courageous enough to be open with the intimate experiences in your life. The ending of your book reminds me of one of the sermons the founding pastor of Riverbend Church gave: “Oh, But You Can Begin Again.” Gordon Smith |
The cover of A Leg to Stand on reveals that I'm missing a leg, due to a car accident a few years ago. My loveable Brie, who's also missing a leg, came into my life quite unexpectedly - truly a magical moment that led to so many others.
(Story continued at bottom of page) 
A lively sing-along accompanied by Peter Rush at the storytelling event September 2022, at the Carmel Foundation.
PAST STORYTELLING EVENTS After the end of pandemic shutdowns, I was happy to once again get back to my live storytelling events. It was a heartwarming gathering at the Carmel Valley Free Library in July of 2022 with old friends and new; including Duncan, an very attentive infant, his mother, and grandmother, who were also good listeners! And what a great turnout at the Carmel Foundation in September. Sincere thanks go out to all who attended both events. At the Foundation, my good friend Peter Rush accompanied me as I sang one of my own songs, "Hope you feel the way I do," and "Souvenirs," which was written by John Prine, one of the great songwriters of our time. It's a touching song reminding us to treasure our memories. I'm looking forward to performing more with Peter at future events. Next time we'll share a song I wrote in England at the age of 19. It's called, "I hear you're married now." 
Book signing is always a fun part of my events.
UPCOMING EVENT
Sunday, March 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m. River House Books 208 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel Please see calendar for more details EVENT REVIEWS "People who hear Tony's stories come away with a truly richer sense of their own lives." River House Books, Carmel "Tony was wonderful at River House. He's come into his groove. Loved the guitar and songs. We enjoyed looking around the room at the other people, who were all smiling." Jamie Passmore "I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your performance. I hope you will be doing more." Mary Kay King "Thanks a lot for the outstanding program last Saturday. Our congratulations. You are the best storyteller in the universe!" Stan Kluz 
The following are flyers announcing some of my previous storytelling events . . . Please visit my Calendar page to see events coming up in 2023. 
|
Story continued from above . . .
Even in the most beautiful settings, such as Carmel-by-the sea, life doesn't always go according to plan . . .
A few years ago I hit what I like to call, "bumps in the road," and there were three big ones all in a row: I had a car accident resulting in the loss of one of my legs; Pat, who was the sole bread winner at the time, lost a very good job which she loved; and the housing market crashed, causing us to be in jeopardy of losing the home we'd recently purchased. But just when the bumps were feeling more like mountains, the magic returned . . .
Pat and I received a call from a local philanthropic couple, asking us if we would start taking care of their dog when they were away. And that's when we met Brie, the dog missing a leg who changed everything. I always like saying that Don and Lois Mayol adopted Brie because she was missing a leg, and then they adopted me! Pat's and my life improved in ways we couldn't have imagined.
With my spirit back, the memories of my stories returned, and I started performing them for Don and Lois. The next thing I knew, Don wanted to have a book of my stories published . . . as long as Brie was on the cover! I said, "You have a deal."
Don has passed away, but I wish he could see how his generosity started a whole new career for me at the age of 60 . . . after spending most of my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do!
Even in the most beautiful settings, such as Carmel-by-the sea, life doesn't always go according to plan . . .
A few years ago I hit what I like to call, "bumps in the road," and there were three big ones all in a row: I had a car accident resulting in the loss of one of my legs; Pat, who was the sole bread winner at the time, lost a very good job which she loved; and the housing market crashed, causing us to be in jeopardy of losing the home we'd recently purchased. But just when the bumps were feeling more like mountains, the magic returned . . .
Pat and I received a call from a local philanthropic couple, asking us if we would start taking care of their dog when they were away. And that's when we met Brie, the dog missing a leg who changed everything. I always like saying that Don and Lois Mayol adopted Brie because she was missing a leg, and then they adopted me! Pat's and my life improved in ways we couldn't have imagined.
With my spirit back, the memories of my stories returned, and I started performing them for Don and Lois. The next thing I knew, Don wanted to have a book of my stories published . . . as long as Brie was on the cover! I said, "You have a deal."
Don has passed away, but I wish he could see how his generosity started a whole new career for me at the age of 60 . . . after spending most of my life trying to figure out what I wanted to do!
Post Script . . .
This photo was taken at a private airport in Monterey of Lois, Brie, and me. I was touched to learn from her children that this was the only photo she kept on her desk. On the day the photo was taken, Lois told me that when she passed away, "Brie will be yours."
Sadly, on September 6, 2022, Lois passed away. I miss her deeply, but true to her promise, her children called me to come pick up Brie. She now has a happy permanent home with Pat and me.
This photo was taken at a private airport in Monterey of Lois, Brie, and me. I was touched to learn from her children that this was the only photo she kept on her desk. On the day the photo was taken, Lois told me that when she passed away, "Brie will be yours."
Sadly, on September 6, 2022, Lois passed away. I miss her deeply, but true to her promise, her children called me to come pick up Brie. She now has a happy permanent home with Pat and me.