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 Brooks, Patty Loveless, and Lee Roy Parnell.
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.
Singles released include:
The Dance—No. 1 single on Garth Brooks; Grammy nomination (country song) in 1990; Song of the Year in 1990 from the Academy of Country Music (ACM); No. 1 for three weeks in Billboard and Radio & Records; most-performed song of 1990 in Radio & Records; nominated for CMA Song of the Year in 1991
Here I Am— No. 1 single on Patty Loveless from CMA Album of the Year When Fallen Angels Fly
Dreaming With My Eyes Open—No. 1 single on Clay Walker
I’m Holding My Own—No. 1 single on Lee Roy Parnell
The Change — Top-20 single on Garth Brooks
Why Ain’t I Running — Top-20 single on Garth Brooks from his CD Scarecrow
That’s The Way I Remember It—Top-30 AC single on Garth Brooks from Garth Brooks…in the life of Chris Gaines
You Can’t Get There From Here—Top-40 single on Lee Roy Parnell