Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyron “Bogey.” Thornton.
Hi Tyron “Bogey.”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana blocks away from the home of the late Fats Domino and 10 minutes away from the home of late Trumpeter Louis Armstrong and Mahalia Jackson… I began vocal training with my mother who stated I was singing and humming melodies’ before I could talk. My father was a former Quartet gospel singer of The Gospel Chords of New Orleans, who traveled the southern states singing on programs at either churches or venues where legends such as The Mighty Clouds of Joy to the Blind Boys of Alabama Performed. Music was a part of my everyday life as I was exposed but not limited to acts such as Sam Cooke to the Motown Sounds of The Temptations, Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Jackson 5, etc. My mother would teach me songs that I would sing at family gatherings at the age of 4 and 5. My first “gig” was singing in front of my and other kindergarten classes before nap time.
By the 4th grade, I was singing solos in the school choir as we also traveled to different elementary schools during the Christmas Season, eventually landing us a spot at the New Orleans Jazz. and Heritage Festival. Talent shows was an annual event where my brother, sister and I, would compete and were local favorites as we often won first prize, My mother would never tell us we did a great job only to say there was always room for improvement which is the foundation of how I have always approached music still to this day. That was the best advice she could have ever given me as it has never allowed me to settle for average but to strive for perfection. Singing in church was also a part of the journey as my mother wanted me to have a strong spiritual foundation also feeling it was a safe place to hone in my craft. I taught myself to play piano as my mother said, you never know when you may have to accompany yourself.
During college, I continued to compete in Talent Shows/Showcases which I also landed my first “Corporate Gig”. I sang songs from Big Band greats from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Nat King Coke through the 60s and 70s. I began producing music as well in the early 90s as I wanted to become an R&B singer with dreams of moving to Atlanta to be an artist on Major Record Labels such as Laface and So So Def Records. While still in Louisiana, I was producing music for myself, along with joining a group called 4 u 2 C having one of our songs played on the radio. The first time I heard our song on the radio I was running through my college dorm yelling, “I’m on the radio!” I had an opportunity to work with “Cupid” who is now a multiplatinum artist, as the “Cupid Shuffle” has sold over 2 million records to date. Moving to Atlanta in 2000, I started singing with a Corporate Band “Atlanta Beat” until 2011 having the opportunity to not only entertain locally but out of the country as well. During the early 2000’s I worked with drum legend Sonny Emory as well as legendary producer Dallas Austin who was producing a song for R&B singer Ciara’s second album where I sang background vocals on “I Found Myself” which was actually under “Laface Records”. I received the check from “Laface Records” and I still have a copy today. LOL!
In 2010, I began being a part of a show called “Elvis Royale” which was an annual show featuring Elvis songs starring Atlanta legend “Big Mike Geier” where I sang background vocals. After participating in this show for two years, I became a part of his company called “Kingsized Entertainment” where he led the band “Kingsized” and “Puddles Pity Party” who is a personal friend of his. The band “Bogey and the Viceroy” was formed during this time and we have been entertaining audiences for over ten years now and it has been a pleasure to be among such great musicians who have also worked with major artists. We have played hotels from the likes of the Ritz Carlton to the famous Georgian Terrace, Fabulous Fox Theater and all in between whether it was a corporate event, festival or wedding reception at an Atlanta Country Club, We have shared the stage with the legendary Commodores as well as the 90’s pop group Color Me Badd. which was definitely a highlight of my/our career as it allowed us to see what it is like to perform in front of thousands of people. We perform specialty shows such as a 70’s show, where only 70’s music is performed, a Stevie Wonder show as well as a Prince tribute, which shows the versatility of the band as well as provides our fans with the music they love. We continue to work on our craft and are still enjoying doing what we love which is “Music” providing joy and smiles to little kids up to their grandparents which I classify our music as “ multigenerational” due to the different eras/genres we play. It is with great humility I have been provided with a platform to share my talent in a city hundreds of miles from where I began and will forever be grateful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Pursuing a music career has not been easy as when I was looking to be an R&B singer, I found myself having to use credit cards to purchase recording gear as I couldn’t afford studio time and there was only one studio in my area. I wound up teaching myself enough to get by eventually borrowing money to take a course for Studio and Music Production at the Recording Workshop located in Ohio. Finding the right chemistry in bands was also challenging at times as there can be different levels of commitment to the art as well as personality conflicts. The money has not always been as I recall early in my career where we (The band) did not get paid at all and I chalked it up as paying my dues as I loved the ART just that much.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been the lead singer of “Bogey and the Viceroy” for over ten years and we specialize in the variety of music we play along with a high-energy performance, I do not consider this band a show band because I see a show band as a “look at us band” where there is slick choreography and shiny costumes. We are a party band where the audience is a part of the show and I make it a point to make everyone feel warm and welcomed. We are up close and personal and as I may jump off the stage and dance with the bride at a wedding reception and make my way to the bride’s grandmother and dance with her as well. Singing special requests can be quite interesting at times as many times they are songs that I would not typically listen to and in the process of learning them, I always connect with the reason why the song was selected. In some cases, there have been songs I actually did not like and for some reason again, in the process of learning it, the “LOVE BUG” hits me and still can’t stop singing it after the event is over. I guess I’ll chalk that up to my love of music. LOL! We try to creatively select some songs for our set that are not typical which after the gig have guests coming up saying “I can’t believe you guys did that song as it’s one of my favorites” which I always love to hear.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The best thing I like about the city of Atlanta is there is enough room for everyone as there has to be hundreds of bands and we all can work and make a decent living right here. The diversity of the music is also very impressive as I can go on one side of town and listen to Neo Soul and go to the other side and listen to straight-ahead jazz.
I would say, with Atlanta being a mini Mecca for music, there is not enough programs either being publicized or made available to cultivate our younger generation when it comes to music and the music business. If this is done on a major scale, which I know can happen, we will have an array of musicians, producers and music executives to add to the Art itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.bogeyandtheviceroyband.com/
- Instagram: @bogeyandtheviceroy
- Facebook: Bogey and the Viceroy
- Youtube: Bogey and the Viceroy
Image Credits
Emily Butler
