Tony Arata was born in Savannah, Georgia and grew up on nearby Tybee Island.
While studying for a journalism degree from Georgia Southern University, he began
performing his original songs in local bands. In 1986, he and wife Jaymi moved to
Nashville where his unique, soulful style began to get the attention of people like Allen
Reynolds and Garth Brooks. Garth to date has recorded seven of Tony’s songs, and “The
Dance” won song of the year at The Academy of Country Music and received both a Country
Music Association and a Grammy nomination, as well as a most performed song in Radio
and Records Magazine.
He has also had No. 1 records with “Here I Am” for Patty Loveless, “I’m Holding My Own”
for Lee Roy Parnell, and “Dreaming With My Eyes Open” for Clay Walker. Other artists who
have recorded his songs include Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Delbert
McClinton, Don Williams, Reba McEntire, Suzy Bogguss, and Hal Ketchum.
Tony has also done three solo albums featuring new songs, covers, and guest appearances by
many of Nashville’s finest musicians as well as folks who have recorded his songs, including
Garth, Patty, and Lee Roy.
Brooks himself has said the following about Arata:
One of my favorite songwriters has to be Tony Arata.
He’s a cat who doesn’t care about appearances.
He doesn’t care about money. He cares about his
children, his wife, and his music. That’s neat.