Tony had been a music minister these past years, and a leader in a ministry for men with problems.
He touched the lives of so many it was hard to get them all in the room.
He had a son with is first wife Brenda, and two children from his more recent marriage to Crystal.
It was a sad day for all of us knowing the reunion of this band if ever, will be a tribute and fund raiser if it happens at all.
But the message we all got from the speakers and musicians there was one of hope and the sincere belief in something much greater than all of us.
What a guy....Tony Ingram .....lived life BIG!
What a guy....Tony Ingram .....lived life BIG!
4 comments:
Hi Alan. I happened upon this website while searching for Tony. I'm so sorry to hear of his passing, as well as of Allen's. You may not remember me. My name is Steve Auburn. I met you guys a long time ago at the Macon County fair in Decatur, Illinois. Not long after, Tiny and I became friends and I actually ride with him and Bill Packard to Atlanta, where I stayed with Tony and Brenda for a few days. Years later, while I was living in Marietta, GA and playing fiddle in the house band at Cowboys, I reunited with Tony. It was around that time that the band went into the studio (Doppler, I think) to re-record some songs, Sweet Country Music being one of them. However it happened, Tiny asked me to come play the fiddle part on that track. What a rush for me and an experience I'll never forget.
I went on to be a utility musician for Jeff Carson, Mark Wills and have been working with Neal McCoy since 2003. Tony and all of you guys are still a major influence on how I perform. It's sad to find out this way about Tony and Allen. (my favorite song was You Are The Wine)
I hope this message finds you well. I will definitely do what I can, whatever that may be, to harass the label to release Atlanta's music. I sure do miss it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Please say hello to any and all of the other guys you may stay in touch with and by all means, if possible, drop me a message. I'd love to see what you guys are all up to these days.
Have a great day!
Steve Auburn
steveauburn@yahoo.com
Praise God for Tony Ingram! My son, Emory, and our family, knew Tony first-hand for five fabulous years of drum lessons, every Saturday for an hour, every Friday, confirming for Saturday. Tony was faithful, ever enthusiastic and totally committed. It was a blessing to participate in prayer and fund raising for Tony's effort and answered call in Better Ways Ministries. Tony & Crystal blessed Tony's drum students with a summer camp visit to their home every summer to swim, drum, play together, meet and learn from outstanding professional drummers from TN, friends of Tony's - opening their home and hearts to all of us. My son, Emory, practiced with Tony in three different locations in that five years, starting at New Hope Church, then Trinity Church, then at Better Ways Ministries. We watched his children grow, learned about his love for God, for his family & friends, especially his wife & all three of his children, his distress in serving his ailing mother, his primary professional work, as well as his sincere love and desire to help and serve all others for Christ, especially the Better Ways Ministries' men and their families. Tony loved our son like his own. Tony poured his knowledge and passion for drumming for Christ into our dear son, Emory. Tony had just given me a book of his sheet music exercises to utilize for Emory's practice and encouraged Emory to get into a band, since he stated, "I've taught him everything I know, and he's better than me! He can do that double kick pedal in a way at his age that I never will!" It was a beautiful, humble, honor of a lifetime to witness Tony and my son, Emory, interact, to call or be called to confirm faithfully Friday after Friday, meet Saturday after Saturday, and to pray together & for all the cares of Tony Ingram, for he had many, a heavy and a light heart, a rhythmic and consistent heart, a faithful and true heart, a heart beat of a natural and professionally trained and proficient drummer, who actually, truly carries the band, and their fans through the music of life and through the unexpected highs and lows of all the new places to go in this life, and in Tony's case, into the next other glorious life of Christ, here now, and also forever there, too. We dearly miss you, Tony Ingram!! rapping and slapping those beats out on your thigh, gentle and strong at the same time for all, humble and caring in every moment for every one God ever put in front of you. We miss you laughter and your drumming, your humming and your music, your family together, and the opportunity to see you for another hour of power. You're drumming somewhere up there still! Your love of all of us carries us forward with great drum training and instruction, and the great lesson of faithfully loving others as ourselves. We shall see you again, dear friend! This is our love, hope, and peace in Christ together, as you walked, talked, prayed, served, sang, fiddled, scat and drummed the walk for all to experience the love of Christ to His glory! We love you Tony, family & friends! Tony, you truly ROCK!!! forever :)
I just learned of Tony's passing. I met him at a performance at The Country Music Palace in Vaiden, Ms in the 80's. I worked there as the bouncer. He was a very friendly person who loved his fans. A great artist and person.
I am so sad to hear that Tony is no longer with us. HOWEVER, I wish I knew his story from the time I met him in Parkersburg, WV playing with Spurzz and then on to Atlanta. You guys were amazing... then I lost track of him. It sounds like he was an amazing disciple for Christ!! He always seemed so very, very special. If anyone can point me in a direction to offer condolences to his family, please do. And I am thankful for his ministry for the years he devoted to it. He was such a gentle kind soul... God Bless you Tony... see you on the other side.... Nancy Stephens
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