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* Exclusively
represented by FCE to the Cruise Industry.
BIOGRAPHY
"Toby Beau," commonly refers to the Texas band formed in the
early 70's most commonly known for the hit single, "My Angel Baby"
in 1978. Formed in South Texas, the original members
included guitarist and lead vocalist Balde Silva, guitarist Danny
McKenna, Ron Rose, bassist Steve Zipper and drummer Rob Young.
After numerous club performances around South Texas, the band
moved to San Antonio, Texas and received a major record deal from
RCA (now BMG). This deal would recruit the production talents of
Sean Delaney, who at the time was also producing a young band
named "KISS.
Upon completion of the self-titled first album, the band moved to
New York, and would embark on major tours with artists and bands
such as the Doobie Brothers, Bob Seger, and the=2 0Steve Miller
Band. Popularity of the band would gradually arise through these
tours, but this would suddenly become a skyrocket when the pop
ballad "My Angel Baby," written and sung by Balde Silva, scored
number 1 on Billboard’s Easy Listening Chart for two weeks.
Suddenly the album would score major sales, and “My Angel Baby"
would eventually achieve gold status by being awarded the coveted
"Million-Aire Award" by BMI for over a million radio plays. There
was even a re-release of the album, this time with "My Angel Baby"
as the album title which was added to the cover art.
Following the success of the first album, the band broke up
leaving Balde Silva, to
be signed by RCA to resume the Toby Beau name as a solo
artist. It was suggested that he move to Nashville and record with
the likes of major session players. It was a smart move that that
would enlist for his second album, Jimmy Buffet producer, Norbert
Putnam and would also enlist the help of such talented musicians
as Victor Feldman (from Steely Dan fame) and Larry Londin (who
later worked with Journey). This album would produce the Top 40
smash remake of the Casinos “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.”
Although it was a large burden on him to also complete the third
album single-handedly, this provided numerous successes, such as
all legal rights to retain the band's name. Silva moved to Los
Angeles to record the third album with producer Jerry Fuller. With
the help of numerous studio artists, the third album, "If You
Believe" was successfully released in 1980. The album did score a
third Top 40 hit in the ballad "If I Were You," which might
demonstrate a preview of how Toby Beau would sound in years to
come.
After the third album, Balde Silva enlisted his wife, Rennetta
(under the stage name Rennetta Dennett) to join him and the two
would recruit numerous other musicians in the band for years to
come. Sessions for a fourth album have been recorded numerous
times in the 80's and again in the late 90's, but as of now, no
plans have been made for any studio release, but self-made
recordings have been produced, and can usually be bought from
members of the band or at certain venues they work for.
Currently, the band continues to perform with guest musicians who
sit in frequently. Most recent guest musicians have included
Silva's son, saxophonist and musical arranger, Michael Silva. Toby
Beau continues to perform regularly, performing oldie show
concerts as well as working on cruise ships.
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