CLOSENUF Bios:

They Are CLOSENUF:

Anthony J. Foti - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Percussion, ..............................Keyboards, Composition & Production

TBD - Lead & Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals

TBD - Keyboards & Backing Vocals

TBD - Bass Guitars & Backing Vocals

TBD - Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals

CLOSENUF is the brainchild of Anthony J. Foti, a Bklyn, NY Singer/Songwriter, who comes from a family of vocalists including his mom, grandfather & cousins. Privately trained operatically (vocally) in youth & adolescence & with a Concentration in Musical Studies (songwriting) at Pace University, where NYC musical sage, Professor Hannah Hall gave him the speech every young aspiring artist longs for, to pursue the realm of a professional career, "He's got what it takes." By 1994, he was actively playing the NYC club circuit with his original compositions, co-founding the record company -- Wreckords Records (ASCAP), to release & track his work.

He released his 1st album in April 1994 with the acoustic progressive rock duo, “Blackwood & Foti,” whose EP was produced by Dave Greenberg (Van Morrison), & Al Greenwood (Foreigner), with drummer Vinny Conigliaro (Joe Satriani) & guitarist Al Pitrelli (Asia) guest starring. The power ballad on the work was saved to be produced by Steve Jerome (Neil Diamond, The Left Banke) & John Abbott (Dionne Warwick) & Anthony's father Frederick D. Foti (1924-2013) with guitarist Jeff Munzert (Jim Messina) guest starring. This single, "In the Eyes of the Rose (The Jerome Mix)" was released on 9/14/94 by Bill Jerome Promotions, with 7% of National U.S. Radio Stations airing it on their Top-40 Play List Rotation (MO, WY, KY, GA, SD, TX).

In October 1996, continuing to record with the Jerome/Abbott team, he released his 2nd album, the solo EP “Fourword” – 4 songs based on 4 words: The Man, His Music. It carried over the single, as well as “At Night,” with its earsplitting Al Pitrelli guitar leads, both from the duo’s EP, (the tunes which featured Anthony’s writing & lead vocals), & added the piano version of Anthony’s mom’s favorite tune of his, the angelic “Alive Forever,” & the saxophone version of “Music Man (The Barlotta Mix),” featuring Screamin' Steve Barlotta (Gary U.S. Bonds) on sax, which with this release won on 7/15/99, an Honorable Mention in The 9th Annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest. During the years that followed, he played the Village Scene from the New Music Cafe to Kenny's Castaways, amid the boroughs of NYC, Albany, NJ, RI, & PA, had articles in newspapers & magazines from NY to Switzerland, been commissioned to sing The National Anthem accompanied by organist Eddie Layton, worked with Terry King (Drifters, Temptations), has done freelance vocal work with songwriter Alan Baboff (Chaka Khan) & for famed NYC Broadway/TV/Film Score Producer Michael Kingsley, was offered solicitation by entertainment attorneys Eve Nelson & the firm of Jacobson & Colfin (Toni Braxton), & in Sept. 2004, was named a Semi-Finalist in The NE Independent Music World Series with “Fourword.”

On 9/12/01, despite the tragedies of the time, Anthony launched a project with other local singer/songwriters forming CLOSENUF, the next Singer/Songwriter Rock Band to attract a fan base from The Beatles to The Stones, from Dan Fogelberg to Billy Joel; a multigenerational love-fest of melody & good clean stage oriented Rock & Roll. In April 2005, they released their self-titled debut LP "CLOSENUF," guided in the studio by Steve “Woody” La Cerra (Blue Oyster Cult), with whom the band continues to collaborate. The band through its grass roots efforts became a staple on the NYC music scene, as well as performing live from LI to Philly to Atlantic City, were featured in publications from The Village Voice to 20th Century Guitar Magazine, appeared on The Joey Reynolds Show on WWOR NY Radio, The Dr. Lou’s House of Blues Radio Show on WNJC NJ/PA Radio, & on The Media Factory Show on PATV CT TV who chose the band's tune "Buy The Boat" to appear on Netshows TV Soundtrack Unique Series Program Compilation CD #11, & received four 2005 Garageband.com Reviewer Awards.

On 10/21/05, CLOSENUF’s guitar version of “Music Man (The La Cerra Mix)” (Anthony: co-producer & arranger) placed by The Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 2006 48th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists! In 2006, CLOSENUF’s music video was nominated for The 2006 IMMIE Award (Independent Music Award) for Best Indie Music Video of the Year, & by DigiFestival for an Absolute Winner 2006 Edition Award in Italy. In late 2006 into 2007, Pic Hitz Entertainment released CLOSENUF music to CHR/Pop (Contemporary Hit Radio) & AAA (Adult Album Alternative) Radio Stations for National U.S. Airplay (NM, TX, OH, KY & VA). They performed in The 2007 Original Sessions National Band Search Series Competition in NYC competing for 3 rounds, were chosen to perform in The 2007 Goodstock Festival in WV (promoted by Artie Kornfeld), as well as GoodTimes Magazine’s LI Music Festival & M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2007 Competitions, signed rights & clearances for usage of their compositions in a 2008 Independent Film Documentary, as well as offered solicitation by Octobertunes for additional TV & Film usage, participated in The 2008 Make Music NY Festival (co-sponsored by Time Out NY Magazine) with returns in 2014 & 2015, & performed at The Woodstock Trading Company’s Great Lawn in Cherry Hill, NJ. Also in 2008, CLOSENUF were chosen as Semi-Finalists in The NE Independent Music World Series, making Anthony’s 2nd appearance in this competition at this level!

Like most projects of such extended life, some member shifts are inevitable, but on the 15th anniversary of the record label, they celebrated with a June 2009 (2nd printing 2013) LP release, “CLOSENUF…to a new beginning,” that captured all of Anthony’s writing & lead vocals from the band’s established repertoire, as well as new selections with the fresh sounds of the band’s current line-up (as always, all talented NY Musicians in their own right), as well as alternate mixes of fan favorites with special guest players including saxophonist Robert Randazzo (Marvin Hamlisch) & award winning coloratura soprano Phyllis Falletta (The Metropolitan Opera Co).  In Aug 2009, Mojo Alt 94.1FM Radio 2 in Macedonia, Europe started spinning tracks regularly from the release, & on 9/27/09, 2 cuts “Alive Forever (The Jerome Mix)” & “At Night (The La Cerra Mix)” were both simultaneously placed by The Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 2010 52nd Annual GRAMMY AWARDS for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, the project’s 2nd & 3rd placement as Grammy Ballot Entrants!  In October 2010, Anthony was given his own 1 Hour Special on Blog Talk Radio on NYC’s Roman Midnight Music Show focusing on his career.

On 10/20/10, 2 more cuts “Music Man (The La Cerra Mix)” – its 2nd appearance of Grammy recognition - & “Close Enough” were both simultaneously placed by The Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 2011 53rd Annual GRAMMY AWARDS (a 4th & 5th GRAMMY nod!). In the Summer of 2012, members of CLOSENUF had the pleasure of jamming at The Bitter End, NYC with saxophonist Richie Cannata (Billy Joel) & noted actor John Stamos on drums. In June 2012, CLOSENUF released their first cyber-exclusive release: the EP of "...new beginning's" highlights: "CLOSENUF...to our universe." On 10/16/12, 2 more cuts "In The Eyes Of The Rose (The Jerome or Ballad Mix)" & "Buy The Boat" were also both simultaneously placed by The Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 2013 55th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS; & on 10/14/13, 2 more cuts "Fertile Green" & "Universe/The World Is Crying" were also both simultaneously placed by The Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 2013 55th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS; all for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, escalating the project to NINE GRAMMY Ballot Appearances in 8 years! On 11/15/13, CLOSENUF was nominated for a 2013 LadyLake Indie Music Award for Best Independent Music Artist of the Year! And on 12/7/13, CLOSENUF was chosen to appear in Terra Rising's Independent Music Film Documentary: "Universal MusiCARE: The Music Therapy Experience."

In June 2015, Anthony & CLOSENUF (as marketed) released their next ambitious endeavor, “In The Eyes Of The Rose – The EP” including the single, “In The Eyes Of The Rose (The Americana Mix)” given a fresh take in honor of the true roots of American Music “Country.” Anthony brought in guest players for the remix including the international award winning Irish Folk fiddle player Cady Finlayson, as well as Philip Sterk, noted Nashville/Memphis session player on pedal steel guitar. Accompanying the single is 7 other versions for a “true study in song.” And on 10/27/16, “In The Eyes Of The Rose (The Americana Mix)” was placed by The Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 2017 59th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS in not one but two categories - Best Country Duo / Group Performance & Best Country Song! With these 10th & 11th GRAMMY nods, this escalates the project to 11 GRAMMY Ballot Appearances in 10 years! And on 12/1/15, Loveable Lola, LLC, a company which creates & markets cartoon doggies that spread inspirational messages & releases children’s music had acquired multiple compositions from Anthony’s catalog & published them as part of their 2015 album & video releases “Loveable Lola – Songs To Love.” Anthony is credited for penning half the album, as well as a Christmas single, in addition to lending vocal, percussion, production (co-producing with producer Nick Price (Wu Tang Clan/A Tribe Called Quest)), arrangement, video editing & package design duties. The company is part of a 501(c)(3) where sales are scheduled for charitable endeavors, & Anthony is taking no proceeds for his works. In 2018, Wreckords Records is fostering, in the spirit of the 12-step program for all addictions & to counter the falsehood that drugs have any place at all in music & especially Rock n’ Roll: MADDA: Musicians Against Destructive Drug Abuse to help parties they encounter in the industry or at performances get clean & sober. CLOSENUF, back to its true Rock n’ Roll roots, housing membership from top stage & studio talent, continue to thrill audiences through live performance.

In 2022, Anthony J. Foti relocated the record label and act to Lancaster County, PA where virtuosos of the Pennsylvania area have joined the act to continue the tradition of presenting the genius of rock.

They write it, they play it, they rock it! Musical Perfection? CLOSENUF!

Anthony J. Foti - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Percussion, Keyboards, Composition & Production (2001-Present)

Anthony J. Foti was born & bred in Brooklyn, NY. He has been vocalizing & songwriting for over 30 years. He has a Concentration in Musical Studies from Dyson College of Arts & Sciences, Pace University, NY & while attending, was the college's Music Club President producing many shows for charity. While playing the club scene of Greenwich Village, he started the “Drug-Free” independent record label "Wreckords Records" to solicit local music. Through these efforts, he has been nationally published, has had national top-40 rotation airplay, became twice Semi-finalist in the Independent Music World Series, & is a Billboard World Songwriting Contest Award Winner. A founding member of CLOSENUF (lead vocals, percussion, composition, production & arrangement), he has guided the act through its various incarnations, album releases & drove the act through 11 Grammy Ballot Placements, 3 Independent Music Award Nominations & a dozen more accolades & recognitions from colleagues & the industry. He is the main songwriter for the act as well as a freelance songwriter for other music projects (ASCAP).


TBD – Lead & Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals (2024-Present)

If you are a great PA musician, your bio could be here!

TBD – Keyboards & Backing Vocals (2024-Present)

If you are a great PA musician, your bio could be here!

TBD – Bass Guitars & Backing Vocals (2024-Present)

If you are a great PA musician, your bio could be here!

TBD – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals (2024-Present)

If you are a great PA musician, your bio could be here!


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