Press Kit

Biography

Strange are the changes life can bring
Some make you cry, some make you sing
-”Since I Took A Look at You”

There is a credo that states a writer can only convincingly portray what he truly knows. With A Moment in Time, Tony Doggett captures this essence in a cycle of songs that reveals the renewal of dreams, the complexities of love, and the miracle of inspiration.

Tony’s life as a musician has been paralleled by an extensive career in the Foreign Service, and he acknowledges and embraces both endeavors. “I don’t want to pretend I’m two different people. I’m one thing, and I’m very much shaped by my life and all of my experiences,” he avows. From Egypt to The Ivory Coast, Cameroon to Cambodia, a far-reaching perspective enhances a panoramic worldview. His CD debut, Every Dog Has His Day, was recorded and released in Zimbabwe while Please Don’t Send Me to Zaire, his second CD, created a vivid musical memoir of living and working in the Third World. Now, A Moment in Time takes his journey inward, as it moves gracefully between soul and psyche.

The songs that comprise this musical and lyrical suite were created in a scant 12-month period. The core of the arrangements is pristine, an intimacy achieved by Doggett recording his guitar and vocal first; then, with executive producer Charlie Hastings and co-producer John Krauss, selecting the appropriate musicians to orchestrate the spaces. “Like turning tinker toys into a battle ship from the ground up,” he says of the sessions conducted at Cue Studios in Falls Church, Virginia. “It was very organic, with a lot of discovery along the way.”

The additional colors add style and substance. The ethereal hammered dulcimer of “Double Rainbow” evokes the magnificence of Lake Ohrid on the border of the Republic of Macedonia and eastern Albania. Violin and Dobro add an authentic Americana vibrancy to selected tracks, while a slinky saxophone and a swinging rhythm section enliven the nightclub vibe of “Walking With My Baby.” “A Joker’s Dream,” the CD’s most opaque offering, conjures up a state of somnambulistic reverie with hallucinatory overtones.

As a baby-boomer, Doggett was inspired by the classic rock of the British Invasion and its stateside counterparts. “I was always the guy with the guitar at the party — the one who knew the words. I’ve always used the guitar as an icebreaker, as a way to get to know people.” With A Moment In Time, the songwriter uses the craft of his songwriting to get to know himself as well, as he dedicates this work “to passion, without which life would simply be going through the motions.” Clearly, as Tony Doggett reveals in these songs, he is moving toward new cycles of life, celebrating the shifting seasons of change, and honoring the exhilarating promise of possibility.

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Sample Tracks

Visit the Music tab for five tracks off Tony’s latest record, A Moment in Time.

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Testimonials

“Doggett’s song construction and execution as a writer/performer is flawless. It’s hard to argue with the quality here. A Moment In Time is a definite keeper.”
–Wildy’s World

“Excellent song writing and fine musicianship all round. Songs that have catchy hooks and great flavor.”
–Tommy Lepson

“It’s quite rare that I hear music that makes me jump up and go, “yeah!” but A Moment in Time did it.”
–Art Perry, The Essentials

“Great sound – a throwback 60’s feel. Love how the voice was recorded.”
–Pick to Click

“There was something about A Moment In Time that sort-of took me back to high school. It just sounded good to my ears.”
– Indie Music Sampler Podcast

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The Making of A Moment In Time

The songs on this album were written in the space of less than a year – hence the title, A Moment In Time. To produce it, I teamed with exceptional individuals.

Executive Producer Charlie Hastings is a talented musician in his own right and the driving force behind a great local R&B band called Hey Norton. Charlie provided a skilled and steadying hand as we moved from rough cut to polished demo to finished product.

Engineer and Co-Producer John Krauss not only performed flawlessly and imaginatively at the sound board, but he also provided tasty guitar licks and critical advice on arrangements. A Moment in Time could not have come to fruition without the energy, imagination and verve that John brought to it.

The musicians who helped to create A Moment in Time are some of the best I have ever worked with. They include (in alphabetical order):

Andrew Acosta (resophonic guitar, mandolin)
Rosser Clark (acoustic guitar)
Ben Doggett (backing vocals)
Brad Doggett (backing vocals)
Dan Doggett (electric bass)
Charlie Hastings (saxophone)
Ernie Kirch (electric bass)
John Krauss (acoustic and electric guitar)
Tommy Lepson (organ)
Marshall Maley (percussion)
Jody Marshall (hammered dulcimer)
Arielle Moore (violin)
Dave Olson (drums)
Alex Sens (dobro)
Nick Smiley (acoustic bass)

A Moment in Time was recorded at Cue Recording in Falls Church, Virginia and was released in April 2008. It is dedicated to passion, without which life would just be going through the motions.

Tony plays Taylor acoustic and electric guitars.