Tony J. Fernandez
Encyclopedia
Tony J. Fernandez is a musician, and the founder and frontman of Peace Frog Band, Tony Fernandez' Tribute to the Doors He is also an adjunct professor of Political Science and Chicano Studies at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California.
after Castro's revolution. Not all strife was left behind in Cuba, however, as domestic violence was a common element in his home life. Yet, growing up in Los Angeles
also exposed a young Tony Fernandez to a variety of music. It was at age 11 when he heard "The End", a song by The Doors
, in Frances Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now
(1979), that he was first impressed by Jim Morrison
's music and lyrics. It was the commonality and connection he felt to Jim Morrison and the Doors' music that helped him through some of the years to come. By 1983, he became acquainted with Wild Child, a Doors tribute band, and the seed for Peace Frog Band was planted.
An accident on a construction site, Fernandez' first day on the job, later caused him to do what he actually wanted to do and go into music. He had graduated from high school, but wasn't sure what to do next, so took a day job with his brother-in-law’s crew at a construction site, and ended up with a nail in his foot. It was then he knew he was cut out for something different and decided he needed to either go back to school or get into music, or possibly both.
By 1998, he had launched Peace Frog Band, Tony Fernandez Tribute to the Doors. Since then Tony Fernandez and Peace Frog Band have performed with Robby Krieger
in 2004, and Ray Manzerak in September 2010 for the Napa Valley Friends of the River Festival. He has also performed on National Television for Dick Clark Productions
in 1999 singing "Light My Fire,", and has also recorded for Sony Pictures The Linda McCartney Story
(2000) the song "Backdoor Man".
In 2003, after touring with Peace Frog Band, Tony Fernandez struck a deal with Venice Bistro, formerly Venice West Cafe, and found a home base for them to perform from every weekend. During the 1960s, Venice West Cafe had been a hang out for such artists as Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek and Allen Ginsberg
. Fernandez hoped to bring back some of the feel of that time to the now renamed Venice Bistro. For the next seven and a half years, Peace Frog Band continued to perform shows every Sunday at the Venice Bistro, bringing Jim Morrison alive to tourists and fans alike on Venice's historic boardwalk. In 2011, Peace Frog Band ended the performances at Venice Bistro in order to take better advantage of tour offers. He currently performs nationally and internationally. In July 2011, Peace Frog Band signed a residency to deal with Malibu Inn located in Malibu California on the Pacific Coast Highway.
, where he received his B.A. in Political Science in 1995. In 2003, he received his M.A. in Latin American Studies, and in 2004 his M.A. in Political Science, both from California State University, Los Angeles
. (He dedicated his Latin American Studies thesis, Music: A Catalyst for Political Change in Cuba, to Jim Morrison.). By the fall of 2004 he was adjunct professor at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, and has also taught at Rio Honda College in Whittier, California, and for National University.
Tony Fernandez continues to teach Political Science and Chicano Studies at Pierce College
, while also maintaining, heading and touring with Peace Frog Band. He is currently managed by Love Productions in New York City.
Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-venice-west7-2010jan07,0,4587583.story
Love Productions: http://www.loveproductions.com/love_music_peace_frog.html
The Malibu Inn: http://www.themalibuinn.com/press-and-events/calendar/
Music Zirconia: http://www.musiczirconia.com/doors.html
Napa Valley Register: http://napavalleyregister.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/article_0d724180-b578-11df-b3bc-001cc4c03286.html
Peace Frog Band: http://www.peacefrogband.com/home.html
Pierce College: http://www.piercecollege.edu
Professor Fernandez: http://www.professorfernandez.com/
Biography
Anthony J. Fernandez was born April 19, 1968, the youngest of five children (one brother and three sisters) to Cuban-Italian parents who were exiled from CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
after Castro's revolution. Not all strife was left behind in Cuba, however, as domestic violence was a common element in his home life. Yet, growing up in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
also exposed a young Tony Fernandez to a variety of music. It was at age 11 when he heard "The End", a song by The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
, in Frances Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now is a 1979 American war film set during the Vietnam War, produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The central character is US Army special operations officer Captain Benjamin L. Willard , of MACV-SOG, an assassin sent to kill the renegade and presumed insane Special Forces...
(1979), that he was first impressed by Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
's music and lyrics. It was the commonality and connection he felt to Jim Morrison and the Doors' music that helped him through some of the years to come. By 1983, he became acquainted with Wild Child, a Doors tribute band, and the seed for Peace Frog Band was planted.
An accident on a construction site, Fernandez' first day on the job, later caused him to do what he actually wanted to do and go into music. He had graduated from high school, but wasn't sure what to do next, so took a day job with his brother-in-law’s crew at a construction site, and ended up with a nail in his foot. It was then he knew he was cut out for something different and decided he needed to either go back to school or get into music, or possibly both.
Music
In 1988, Fernandez opened and managed a recording studio that he not only rented out to other musicians, but also used himself. He spent several years studying music, playing in bands and taking voice lessons, but eventually decided to go back to school.By 1998, he had launched Peace Frog Band, Tony Fernandez Tribute to the Doors. Since then Tony Fernandez and Peace Frog Band have performed with Robby Krieger
Robby Krieger
Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
in 2004, and Ray Manzerak in September 2010 for the Napa Valley Friends of the River Festival. He has also performed on National Television for Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions is an entertainment production company founded by entertainer Dick Clark...
in 1999 singing "Light My Fire,", and has also recorded for Sony Pictures The Linda McCartney Story
The Linda McCartney Story
The Linda McCartney Story is a 2000 American drama television film directed by Armand Mastroianni, starring Elizabeth Mitchell and Gary Bakewell. Based on the book Linda McCartney: The Biography, presenting the life story of Linda McCartney...
(2000) the song "Backdoor Man".
In 2003, after touring with Peace Frog Band, Tony Fernandez struck a deal with Venice Bistro, formerly Venice West Cafe, and found a home base for them to perform from every weekend. During the 1960s, Venice West Cafe had been a hang out for such artists as Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek and Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
. Fernandez hoped to bring back some of the feel of that time to the now renamed Venice Bistro. For the next seven and a half years, Peace Frog Band continued to perform shows every Sunday at the Venice Bistro, bringing Jim Morrison alive to tourists and fans alike on Venice's historic boardwalk. In 2011, Peace Frog Band ended the performances at Venice Bistro in order to take better advantage of tour offers. He currently performs nationally and internationally. In July 2011, Peace Frog Band signed a residency to deal with Malibu Inn located in Malibu California on the Pacific Coast Highway.
Education
Not content to stick with just music, Tony Fernandez decided he also wanted to continue his education. In 1993 he entered an exchange student program at the University of Hawai'i (1993–1994), and upon returning to Los Angeles, attended California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
, where he received his B.A. in Political Science in 1995. In 2003, he received his M.A. in Latin American Studies, and in 2004 his M.A. in Political Science, both from California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
. (He dedicated his Latin American Studies thesis, Music: A Catalyst for Political Change in Cuba, to Jim Morrison.). By the fall of 2004 he was adjunct professor at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, and has also taught at Rio Honda College in Whittier, California, and for National University.
Tony Fernandez continues to teach Political Science and Chicano Studies at Pierce College
Pierce College
Pierce College is a community college district operating in and serving Pierce County in the U.S. state of Washington. The district consists of two main colleges, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood and Pierce College Puyallup in Puyallup, and auxiliary campuses at Fort Lewis, McChord Air...
, while also maintaining, heading and touring with Peace Frog Band. He is currently managed by Love Productions in New York City.
External links
The Linda McCartney Story: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0240683/Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-venice-west7-2010jan07,0,4587583.story
Love Productions: http://www.loveproductions.com/love_music_peace_frog.html
The Malibu Inn: http://www.themalibuinn.com/press-and-events/calendar/
Music Zirconia: http://www.musiczirconia.com/doors.html
Napa Valley Register: http://napavalleyregister.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/article_0d724180-b578-11df-b3bc-001cc4c03286.html
Peace Frog Band: http://www.peacefrogband.com/home.html
Pierce College: http://www.piercecollege.edu
Professor Fernandez: http://www.professorfernandez.com/