Atlanta’s Tony Graham Fights Back to overcome his Battle with Mood Disorder with Debut CD Release

ATLANTA - July 24, 2013 - PRLog -- [Atlanta, GA]  At the tender young age of eleven years old, Tony Graham’s love for music was born when he learned and started playing the trumpet.  Adding to his repertoire of instruments two years later, Tony added the electric bass and French horn to his array of musical talents.   Playing in local RnB and rock bands through high school and college, he went on to win a scholarship for music.  While attending college for some reason unbeknownst to him at the time, he dropped out and his life took a different direction, when Tony got married, had three children and followed a more typical life-route.

Possible reasons for Tony’s life choices, and complete turn-around away from his musical passion, began to come to light when he started experiencing signs of depression.  During his marriage and demanding career, the symptoms got increasingly worse.  He was treated for severe manic depression and eventually hospitalized when the final diagnosis of Bipolar II was returned.  At first, Tony rejected this diagnosis, but agreed to take the prescribed medication.  Unfortunately matters got worse when his demanding job lead him to believe that the medication was getting in the way of his productivity.  Eventually he discontinued the meds, finding that he was falling deeper and deeper into the depressive pit. Unable to work due to his disorder, Tony was forced go on disability as he now continues treatment on a regular basis.

Things began to change when at a routine visit to his therapist; the doctor felt that Tony needed a deterrent from his now-mundane daily life.  He believed that Tony needed to renew his passions.  After reviewing his background records, he determined that Tony had a rich history of performing music in the arts and entertainment field, playing many musical instruments and performing in bands during his youth.  Essentially, Tony was a very creative person. This is not uncommon at all for people diagnosed with Bipolar disorder according to his therapist.  Although Tony had previously not composed a note of music himself, the doctor wanted him to give it a try.

After successfully composing 70% of his first song ever, Tony quickly realized that he was a natural for composing and recording music.  It was at this time he finally began to realize his passion once again.  Hence, his full length debut album “Mood Swings” was born and on its way to being one of the best albums of 2013.  Tony not only composed all the music on this stellar new record, but also self-produced it, played just about every instrument, and provided his ample “Barry White” like sultry vocals on two of the tracks.

A feat of extreme creativity that remained within this embattled man for so many years after his decision to give up music came flowing out of him like the ocean when he decided to write, record, and produce “Mood Swings”.   The urban flare and musical style of this recording is steeped in the roots of jazz, blues, and the overall RnB and soul genres.  Graham, the primary composer and producer plays trumpet, bass guitar, and keyboard on all of the album’s tracks.  Jeremy Graham does his thing on lead guitar and Abel Melody rocks on Saxophone to complete the basic quintet.

The instrumental, title cut "Mood Swings", includes drummer Terrell Sass. Tony's 10-year old grandson Julian Hawkins carries on the family's musical tradition playing trumpet on "Manic Depression".  Not only a creative musician, composer, performer and producer, Graham has established his own independent record label M.A.G. Records.  Currently, he is the featured artist for the label but as success continues to set in, there are plans for expansion and other new talented artists to round-out the label.

Tony was recently the featured speaker and artist, at an event held by the “Sean Costello Beautiful Minds Foundation” for Bipolar Research at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The event went extremely well, and he was asked, and recently did, an interview for Emory s medical magazine.  A feature article was also recently written by Cole Youngner, a journalist for the magazine, and is earmarked for publication in the September issue of this year.

“Music is a major part of my therapy” states Graham. "The disease can make you become very self-destructive”. You wonder why people like Jimi or Don Cornelius commit suicide when they have everything to live for.  Even with all that star success it can be painful.  You get into a dark mood and go into a deep hole.  It's a pain you can't describe and all you want is to feel better and get out of the hole.”

With his new musical project freshly released, Tony Graham hopes to bring awareness to the community and the world, that by getting totally engaged with your true passion there is HOPE.  "Wow -- I could have the opportunity to help build awareness and to help eliminate the stigma surrounding Bipolar” states Tony.   What a wonderful success story.

The example set forth by Tony Graham, of battling back – and by getting back to your true passion will hopefully provide the necessary HOPE for those who continue to battle this disabling disorder and provide a pathway to “Peace from the Battle” moving forward.

The songs on Tony Graham’s “Mood Swings” will hopefully help to give you the HOPE you need if you suffer from this disabling disorder.  You can find and preview the music on Tony’s official label website at www.magrecords.net or by viewing his online promotion kit at www.myppk.com/get/tonygraham  Mood Swings is also avail on iTunes.com

Tony is currently in the studio working on his sophomore album.  Stay tuned.

         Track Listing:

1.        Manic Depression          4:48

2.        Nighttime is the Right Time    4:03

3.        Mood Swings          5:40  Title Track

4.        Peace from the Battles          6:04

5.        Sylvie          6:40  Featured Single

6.        Let Me Take You Home          6:55

7.        Hypomania          5:39

8.        Lynne’s Place          4:42

9.        I’m So Mad          5:43

10.     Mania          4:19

11.     Fabio          5:29

“Mood Swings”
© 2012-2013 M.A.G. Records Productions, LLC
 Produced by Tony Graham