Hello, I'm Tony, and I'm pleased to welcome you to my website. I never thought I'd have a website, and 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, and two more are in the works, I'll take the title! "Life is a Bumpy Road," "A Leg to Stand On," and "Cherish," can be purchased on Amazon, but if you would like an autographed copy, please send your request on the Contact Page. And yes, the magic continues with 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 Rush, 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 tonyalbano1969@icloud.com PODCAST UPDATE! After a few unavoidable delays my first appearance on a podcast is now available to view on YouTube! Just google "Tony Albano Podcast YouTube." The title is "Losing my leg was the greatest gift of Life." Hosted by Adam Bremen of the CanDo Chronicles, the topic was "People with disabilities, and what they can do, rather than what they can't do." It was a great opportunity to share my story of what led to my loss of one leg, and how Brie, a three-legged dog, helped me recover both mentally and physically. I hope you'll check it out, leave your comments, and subscribe. Adam is dedicated to helping so many with their physical challenges in life, and his podcasts are worthy of your subscribing to them! About my blog . . . 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. Please remember to click the "Like Button" if you enjoy the blog topic. And I truly appreciate your comments if you have time to leave them. My blogging goal is to entertain and inspire as I share a variety of topics and stories. I especially enjoy educating others about the lives of amputees, both canine and human, like Brie and me. Topics range from living life fully, no matter what are physical or emotional challenges might be, to life with the dogs we love, to musical magic. And this fall I'm hoping to add some recipes my wife, Pat, made at the New York deli we owned way back when! 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.
Heartfelt thanks to those who attended my spring and summer 2023 storytelling events.
Book signing is always a fun part of my events.
UPCOMING EVENTS ARE POSTED ON THE CALENDAR
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. 
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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.