The state of the art of the guitar with Tony Valdez.
Many of us don't get to live our dreams. Particularly in our home town. Surrounded by family, friends -- and especially fans. Count Tony Valdez among the fortunate.
Tony has been able to carve out a niche and make a living following his passion: music. That’s as rare as Tony’s blend of talent and genuine humility.
“I’ve been playing music for many years. It still brings me joy and a great sense of satisfaction.”
Self-taught on the guitar, Tony has been an integral part of the central Iowa music scene since the mid-1960’s. It all began with The Echo’s Five: “We played at popular places like The Clique, The Place, The Mousetrap, The Val Air Ballroom, the original Roof Garden Ballroom at Lake Okoboji and TeenTown at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.”
Through the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, Tony played in groups loved locally and known regionally such as the Cavaliers, The Flight and Sam Salomone and the Spy Boys to name a few.
“Do you remember The Totem Pole, The Joker, The Toga Club, Ernie’s Urban Lounge, The Blue Max, The Rusty Scupper, Grapes and Grains? How about Thunderbird Lanes, where you could bowl after you danced!”
- Tony Valdez
In the mid-1990’s, Tony teamed up with saxophonist extraordinaire Don Jaques, playing their way up and down Court Avenue. Jazz thrived along the avenue, at venues such as The French Quarter, Spanky’s, Julio’s, and Tony’s “beloved” Nacho Mammas.