George McAnthony
George McAnthony ( born April 6, 1966 in Appiano on the Wine Route, South Tyrol as Georg Spitalerstraße; † July 8, 2011 in Terracina ) was an Italian country singer, musician and songwriter. George McAnthony was his stage name.
Life and work
George McAnthony grew up in Appiano on the Wine Route, where he lived until his death. Before turning himself entirely to music, he learned the carpenter trade. Since 1988 he has concentrated on his musical career and chose the artist name in memory of his late father Anton. His music led him especially through Italy, but also to Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. He has recorded 15 albums, three of them in Nashville.
The performances McAnthony designed as a one- man band and served it up to seven instruments simultaneously - and live without playbacks and technical assistance. He played 12 -string guitar, mandolin, dobro and electric guitar and accompanies himself with harmonica, kazoo and a drum kit, consisting of bass drum, hi-hat, snare drum and tambourine.
In addition to original compositions, where it comes to stories of everyday life and to the values of life, George also played evergreens from the classic country and folk repertoire.
Highlights of his career included a duet with John Denver and numerous television appearances. The country musician has been honored with three international awards: " Best Artist ", " Best Male Artist " and "Best Country Song of the Year".
Away from his musical career George McAnthony was involved in the area of charity and volunteering, especially in the development cooperation. He also designed many years as a freelancer in the RAI Sender Bozen the consignment Country Time.
In April 2010 George McAnthony took in the Hilltop Studios in Nashville, Tennessee on his album Dust Off My Boots, he was accompanied among others by Brent Mason, Paul Franklin and Bryan Sutton. The sales of this CD and the CD Country & Western Collection, on which the best pieces are found from the previous CDs, took over in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the label Bogner Records.
On 18 May 2011, George McAnthony of the " ECMA - European Country Music Association " nominated for two European Country Music Awards in the categories " Best European Album Of The Year" and " Best Vocal Collaboration of the Year". The nominees were selected based on the European radio presence from May 2009 to May 2010. This is the album Bridge To El Dorado and to George McAnthonys duet with Jacqueline van der Griendt in the same song. In the category " Best Vocal Collaboration" George McAnthony was nominated alongside artists such as Carrie Underwood, Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Bruce Springsteen and Brooks & Dunn.
July 8th, 2011 on the beach of Terracina McAnthony suffered a fatal heart attack.
Prices
- European Country Music Award - Best European Country Vocalist of the Year 1998
- European Country Music Award - Best European Country Artist & Song of The Year 2001