Tony started his music career as a professional musician (bassist - 1987-1993) and later worked with record companies, music studios, sound production companies, magazine publishing companies, an offset printing company, a photo lab and a video production company. He eventually dropped it all to become a programmer in 1997, but throughout most of his early career, he worked part time as a writer, editor and publisher of music rags, including The Insider and Northern Virginia Rhythm magazine.