Biography

“IF YOU LIKE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN,
TOM PETTY AND NEIL YOUNG …
YOU’RE GONNA’ LOVE TONY MC LOUGHLIN”
----Kacey Jones, recording artist/radio promoter, Nashville, TN
ROCKIN’ AMERICANA, ROOTS, AND BLUES……
North of Ireland songwriter Tony McLoughlin has been described
in the German media as having a “rough hewn image, a relaxed
manner and a unique husky voice, giving him an irresistible stage
presence”.
His early influences came from many genres including rock, blues,
folk and even bluegrass. As his writing got stronger he left the
cover band scene to follow the “dusty highway” of the touring songwriter

In 2000 he recorded his first album"Cinerama" in Germany (Glitterhouse Records and Gael Linn) in the talented production hands of Thomm Jutz.

This was followed in 2002 with the rougher edged "Glory Bound" (Glitterhouse Records and Outlet Records), recorded in Nuremberg, Germany with a powerful band lead by guitarist Keili Keilhofer (of Jack Bruce Band and Kevin Coyne's "Paradise Band" repute).

The following years saw Tony touring with band, as a duo, and solo all over Germany, making occasional forays into Switzerland, France, Austria, Scotland, Northern England and eventually back to Ireland.

In October 2006, Tony McLoughlin travelled to Nashville, Tennessee in the United States to record his third album. Once again in the creative production and guitar playing hands of old friend Thomm Jutz (now Nashville resident and shooting star in demand; Mary Gauthier Band, Nanci Griffith Band etc).The resulting album "Tall Black Horse" is a small masterpiece full of deeply powerful songs. The production speaks for itself, as does the playing (Thomm Jutz on guitar, Pat McInerney on drums, Dave Roe on bass, Fats Kaplan on steel and fiddle, Richard Bailey on banjo and Toni Catlin on harmony vocals). The resulting sound could be categorised as lying somewhere between rock,folk and country - probably authentic americana - but please, take a listen.

Following an appearance at the Nashville/Belfast Songwriter Festival 2007, Tony McLoughlin came to the attention of songwriter extraordinaire Tony Arata, who passed his latest album on to the respected Nashville publisher Matt Lindsey (www.mattlindseymusic.com). This led to the eventual signing of a publishing agreement between Tony McLoughlin and Matt Lindsey in September 2007.
Returning to his Irish roots in 2009, Tony recorded the
magnificently rocking Ride The Wind (4th album) with fellow
North of Ireland musicians and produced by Ben Reel. The
infectious mix of rock, blues, and country tinged roots is a
“play it again” classic and the reviews duly recognized this.
“As a songwriter, the Americana –based act dazzles with each cut on the disc!”
----Chuck Dauphin/ Music News Nashville (US)
“The epic closing number, Treeline, is quite spectacular and possibly the album highlight on a
collection full of highlights…an album well worth seeking out.”
----Alan Cackett/Maverick (UK)
“Ride The Wind by Tony McLoughlin plays up the abrasive side of his personality as a smoke
screen,
to deflect attention from how much he exposes himself. His route is risky and open on a level
that's shocking. He redefines country in terms of heart-on-the-sleeve expression.”
----John Shelton Ivany/ JSI Top 21, Capitola, CA (US)
“Well-traveled and clued-up musically, songwriter McLoughlin delivers his fourth album,
Ride The Wind, a highly charged and cohesive collection of songs.”
---- Allan Wilkinson/Northern Sky (UK)
“Tony’s songs unfold like a series of tales, a delightful journey across the plains in the
capable hands of an evocative songwriter.”
----Pete Feenstra/Get Ready to Rock (UK)
“ McLoughlin takes you on an easy ride with tunes you simply can’t deny! This is truly a hell of
an album!” www.billybop.be
“the melodies flow, the playing is superb , and McLoughlin makes a strong case for being up with
the best of our current vocalists…the perfect album..”
----Malcolm Carter/Pennyblack Music (UK)
As proof of the quality of this album it rose to number 11 in the APD Americana charts in November
2011!
Tony is currently recording his 5th studio album and the word is that it is going to be another
“stormer”, featuring once again those evocative vocals and signature stinging guitar lines, and
also some beautiful acoustic numbers!
Tony continues to tour in Europe and the U.S. with his band and also as a duo and solo act. His
recent airplay and chart success sees the cult status of this artist growing steadily. His live shows
are thrilling, electric and exciting! Not to be missed!