What instruments do you play and how long have you played them?
Hi, my name is Tony Palacio and I’m a bassoholic (reply: Hiiiii Tony). I’ve been a bassoholic for, well, as long as I can remember. It all started when my brother, Dean, threatened me at guitar-point and said, “Here, take this crappy old acoustic guitar and learn to play bass, and only use the first four strings! I’m tired of always looking for bass players!” I was 15 years old at the time. And the rest, as they say, is history. Needless to say, I also play guitar as well. I also tinker on piano, and annoy my wife by playing harmonica.
What band or album made you want to start playing music?
This is where everyone says, “The Beatles” right? Well forget it, I will never say that! Because it was... The Monkeys man! Them and a few others like the Captain and Tennille, Helen Reddy, and of course Tony Orlando and Dawn. Without my parents listening to these folks, I would have never rebelled and listened to what I considered real good music at the time! Haa!!! I loved rock-n-roll, and anything with great vocals. I used to sit and play for hours and hours, playing along with records, learning song after song after song.
If you weren’t doing music, what would you pursue?
Well, I’m a graphic artist by trade, so I guess I can’t use that as my answer. Hmmm. I’d probably pursue my wife (but don’t tell her I said that, she’ll run! Haa!!!).
What’s been the greatest thing about your music career?
Well, I’m not sure I’d call it a “career” just yet, but I’d have to say it’s the satisfaction of using God’s gift to change lives through music. (Did I just answer something seriously?)
How did you meet your ER bandmates?
I met Dean when he finally lifted the pillow off of my face when I was about 1 year old. Our mom says he tried to kill me. (I’ve got that little episode in my back pocket to bribe him later on with.) Robbie came pounding his way around the band once we were already playing in churches. Another drummer bailed on us at the last minute, and I had Robbie’s number from a mutual friend of ours. He was available and came and played. And the rest, as they say... well, you know. Char (Charlotte) came belching into our lives (did I just say that???) while still in our Top 40 playing days. (You're probably wondering what the "belching" remark is all about, right? Well, give Char a soda to drink, then stand back and listen...) We needed a new female singer in our band and Dean found her resume and demo at a musician's service in Hollywood, CA. We heard her sing one note and she was in the band. That was back in ’90 or ’91, before we were Believers. She still sings with us whenever God allows. She's featured on our Seven Mile Journey CD.
In one sentence, describe each of the other band members.
Oh boy, this oughta be fun!
Robbie is THE drumoholic, obsessed with everything drums. Quiet, funny, layed back, and seriously tall man!
Dean is mister mix-master, engineer, everything sound, “make those drums rock my world,” and is more my height.
Charlotte is one of the funniest females I know (aside from my wife); sincere, honest, sensitive and LOVES to just sit around and fellowship.
Tony is so cool. He rocks! Oh wait, can I describe myself?
What other bands did you play in before ER? What style of music was it?
In order, here we go:
Amnesty (classic rock), Dorian (original rock and Top 40 Dance...to pay the bills), Carerra (Top 40 Dance), Broken Rule (original Hollywood hard rock), Mirage (Top 40 Dance, then Christian), and now ER (hit drama on NBC TV... oh wait, that’s something else).
When and how did you become a Christian?
I became a Christian in April 1992 after asking my girlfriend (now wife) all sorts of questions about the Bible because I knew her family was religious. She was sick of me asking, so she gave me her Bible to read, but King James talks so funny. So I went out and rented “The Bible: In the Beginning,” “The Ten Commendments,” and “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and proceeded to watch them all through the night. God touched my heart through the prophetic story of Abraham and Isaac, when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. I was riveted as I watched that entire scene unfold; the faith, the obedience of both father and son, and the picture that unfolded - that God would one day provide His only son, whom He loved, as a sacrifice for sins for the entire world. Only God could have revealed that to my heart, because I don’t know many people who have been saved through that particular scripture. But my family background is Judaism, so maybe that had something to do with it. Then all I wanted to do was eat unleavened bread and drink wine all day. That didn’t work out too well...
What’s in your CD player right now? Okay, okay, what’s playing on your iPod right now?
Ah, my beloved mini iPod. How did I ever live without that little treasure from Apple? I’ve crammed every worship song I know into that thing. But I love Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Tree63, Jeff Deyo, artists like that. Oh, did I mention the Blessed Hope Chapel Praise Team? (Shameless plug!)
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Hockey, hockey, and more hockey! It doesn’t get ANY better than the sport of hockey. I watch it, I play it, I live it, I breathe it, and sometimes I choke on it when my wife gets so sick of it she shoves a puck down my throat…
I also enjoy reading books, skiing (snow) and vegetable gardens. Oh man, there’s nothing like fresh, homegrown vegetables from your own backyard. Yummeeeeee!
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
The Los Angeles Kings hockey team (www.lakings.com). One of these days, one... of... these... days... they’ll win a Stanley Cup. Until then, it’s all about The Wings baby!
Do you have any pets?
I have two dogs, a Cocker Spaniel named Chloe and a Golden Retriever named Mr. Bailey of Palacio Falls (yes, that is what’s on record, taken from my favorite Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”). We also have our ever-crazy African Gray Parrot, Tia, who freaks me out (with her intelligence) more and more with each passing day.
What “hidden” talents do you have?
None. I never hide my talents, I’m very obnoxious about them. Haa!!! What you see is what you get. Oh, I once water skiid right up onto shore, walked out of my bindings up to a table and ate a sandwich. Does that count?
What is your favorite food?
Cajun food! Oh man, THE best. Pasta. Almost any Seafood. And every man’s favorite, Macoroni & Cheese with weiners. Yeah!!!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Bad drivers. Don’t even get me started, we live in L.A. of all places. People who aren’t punctual. Liars, cheeters, and pumpkin eaters. Telemarketers!
What habit annoys you the most?
Not washing your hands. Handling food with bare hands. Not covering your mouth when sneezing. The constant tapping of feet while you’re trying to sleep. Gardeners showing up at the crack of dawn. Telemarketers! (Are these even habits?)
What book would you highly recommend? (Besides the Bible.)
“Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala, and Chris Tomlin’s latest book (has he even written any other books?) “The Way I Was Made”. There is SO much insight in these two books, they are both incredible.
What is your favorite Bible story?
Well, I mentioned one earlier, the Abraham and Isaac story. But I have to say my favorite story is the story of Joseph. There are so many lessons, truths, word pictures, etc. in that story. It’s filled with almost every emotion one experiences in life, including redemption. It’s a powerful picture of Christ and his people. Everytime I watch the movie “Joseph” I just ball when Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, after he has become the second most powerful person in the land, and forgives them. Awesome!
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