Tony Terry

Antonio “Tony” Terry, born on March 12, 1964, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, developed his musical talents early, graduating from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC. His career began as a backing vocalist for groups such as Sweet Sensation and The Boogie Boys. In 1987, Terry secured a recording contract with Epic/CBS Records, marking the start of his solo career. His debut single, “She’s Fly,” released the same year, reached number 10 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. His debut album, “Forever Yours,” released in 1988, achieved a Top 40 position on Billboard’s R&B albums chart, led by hit singles like “Lovey Dovey,” which peaked at number four on the R&B charts, and “Forever Yours,” which entered the R&B top 20.

Terry’s self-titled second album in 1990 featured his most significant hit, “With You,” which not only reached the Top 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 but also hit the top 10 on the R&B chart. This success was followed by another R&B hit, “Everlasting Love,” reaching number six. After his period at Epic, Terry signed with Virgin Records, releasing “Heart of a Man” in 1994, which included the Billboard R&B top 40 single “When a Man Cries.” He contributed background vocals to Yolanda Adams’s 1995 single “Gotta Have Love” and has songs featured on film soundtracks for “Gladiator,” “Tap,” and “King’s Ransom.”

In addition to his music career, Terry has a notable acting career, appearing in stage productions such as “Sisterella,” co-produced by Michael Jackson, “Mama, I Want to Sing,” and David E. Talbert’s “His Woman, His Wife.” He also toured nationally as the Tin Man in “The Wiz.” In 2015, Terry released “I Tony 6” on Spectra’s Monarchy Records. His life and career were highlighted in a 2022 episode of TV One’s “Unsung,” further cementing his legacy in R&B music.