If you happened to catch the 90th birthday celebration for singer Tony Bennett on network television, you enjoyed a rare musical treat filled with surprises. I expected Michael Bublé Lady Gaga and Andrea Bocelli to bring down the house, but who knew actor Kevin Spacey could hold his own on that stage with a remarkable voice and rendition of, “If I Ruled the World.” (An interesting choice given his House of Cards role.)
While this event was a delight for music lovers of all ages everywhere, the man of the hour, Tony Bennett offers the real inspiration. From growing up poor but surrounded by family to fighting as an infantryman in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II to marching for civil rights in Selma, Mr. Bennett models what it means to be a solid citizen in this great country during troubling times.
As inspirational as his civic contributions are, his journey of personal reinvention as a relevant and beloved entertainer is impressive on many levels. Discovered by Bob Hope and made famous by Frank Sinatra’s indication that “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business,” he has remained remarkably relevant while everything around him changed. Tony’s journey has spanned the end of Vaudeville through the MTV generation until current times. Long after the age of crooners faded, and those few remaining were banished to Branson, Tony Bennett sells out concerts around the world where his voice, his genuine nice guy personality and his smile light up the hearts of everyone in attendance.
When asked about his longevity as a popular star, he offered, “I choose songs that are timeless…that everyone loves…and I keep singing them.”
When asked for his top three pieces of career advice in an interview with Forbes, he said:
1. “Always stick with quality.”
2. “Keep your eye on long-term success.”
3. “Always give credit to those around you who help you achieve success.”
Advice worth living.
Thanks, Tony! Keep smiling and singing.
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