Tony,
originally from Blackpool, Lancashire, began his musical journey at the age of 11, playing Eb Bass with the Poulton-le-Fylde Brass Band and the Lancashire Youth Brass Band (LYBB), where he had the honour of sitting in the bass section alongside the legendary Andy Cattanach. At just 16, he embarked on an 18-year career as a professional musician in the Royal Artillery, honing his skills and
performing at the highest level. During his military career, Tony contributed his talent to several respected brass bands, most notably the Desford Colliery Band.

Retiring as Principal Tuba of the Royal Artillery Orchestra in 2009, Tony took a sabbatical from brass banding to pursue a career in IT. However, his passion
for brass playing never wavered. He returned to the banding world, briefly playing with the Wantage Band before joining the renowned Flowers Band in 2012
as Principal Eb Bass. In 2017, he made the transition to BBb Bass under the guidance of the awesome John Gillam; a pivotal moment in Tony’s musical development. The opportunity to play alongside and learn from John proved
invaluable, deepening his understanding of the role and reigniting his enthusiasm for the instrument. Alongside his commitments, Tony has also deputised for leading bands such as the Cory Band and Brighouse & Rastrick
Band, further cementing his reputation as an accomplished tubist. In his pursuit of excellence on the BBb Tuba, Tony embarked on an extensive search
for a mouthpiece that could better meet the instrument’s unique demands. Recognising the need for a larger, more suitable design to achieve greater depth, projection, and control, he explored numerous options before discovering
Mercer & Barker. Their MB6 Goliath proved to be the game-changer—offering the power, precision, and comfort essential for mastering the BBb Bass. This
revelation has not only transformed his own playing but has also reinforced his belief that having the right equipment is fundamental to unlocking an
instrument’s full potential. Now, with decades of experience across military, orchestral, and brass band settings, Tony continues to push the boundaries of performance, always seeking new ways to refine his craft and inspire those around him.