Harry Fontana, a native of Helsinki, Finland, started his musical career at 7 years old. Inspired by the James Dean Movie "Rebel Without a Cause", he formed his first professional band, The Thunderbirds, at 13. His second band, formed at age 15, The Billyboy Rockers appeared at public and private venues around Helsinki until 1989 when Harry signed his first recording contract with K-Tel International and formed his new band, The Blast to the Past. It was with this band that his first record was released. He first came to Nashville in 1992 where he formed the band Lonesome Train, which appeared at the Acuff Theater at Opryland in 1992. In 1993 he formed the Tennessee Toneboys, playing on Second Ave. in Nashville on the street. After a short period of time, the crowds were large enough to necessitate the police blocking two lanes to make room. He was recruited off Second Ave. and invited to the United Artists building on Music Square to sign a contract with Heaven Spun Records. 1994 he formed the Harry Fontana Rockabilly Trio in Helsinki for overseas tours, which released an EP with "Confidential, "Wildcat", "Sweet Love On My Mind" and "You Look That Good To Me" that same year. In 1998 Harry released his "Rockabilly House" album from Colvert Brothers Records, Nashville, TN. Also in 1998, Harry’s contribution to Rockabilly music was mentioned in “The History of Rockabilly, A Forty Year Journey” (Hal-Leonard) by Billy Poore. In 2003 he was contacted by a charitable organization, "The Pietarinkadun Oilers" to write a song, "3 X 20", for the Finnish ice hockey team to be played during the International World Ice Hockey Championships held in Helsinki. In 2004 he was featured in Bill Rouda’s, “Nashville’s Lower Broad, The Street That Music Made” (Smithsonian Books). His photograph from this book is also featured in the Country Music Hall Of Fame. In 2006 he was invited to appear on the Johnny Cash tribute album "Train of Love, A Tribute to Johnny Cash", contributing his version of "Get Rhythm". In 2009 he was contacted to be a part of the “Slap That Bass, Finnish Rockabilly 1979-2009” box set, to be released in February 2010. It features his bio and one of his early recordings “OH-OH, Get Out Of The Car” from 1990. Harry has played regular shows on Lower Broadway in Nashville at Roberts Western World, Laylas Bluegrass Inn and Wolfies, in addition to having appeared at World Famous Tooties Orchid Lounge, Legends, Full Moon Saloon, Printers Alley, The Wildhorse Saloon and all over Nashville. He has played with Hank Williams III, Chuck Berry, DJ Fontana, Charlie Feathers, Paul Burlison, Kenny Vaughn, Brian Setzer, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Marty Stuart, Billy Burnette, James Intveld and last but not least, recorded “Confidential” with Pentti Lasanen.
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Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
Harry Fontana, a native of Helsinki, Finland, started his musical career at 7 years old. Inspired by the James Dean Movie "Rebel Without a Cause", he formed his first professional band, The Thunderbirds, at 13. His second band, formed at age 15, The Billyboy Rockers appeared at public and private venues around Helsinki until 1989 when Harry signed his first recording contract with K-Tel International and formed his new band, The Blast to the Past. It was with this band that his first record was released. He first came to Nashville in 1992 where he formed the band Lonesome Train, which appeared at the Acuff Theater at Opryland in 1992. In 1993 he formed the Tennessee Toneboys, playing on Second Ave. in Nashville on the street. After a short period of time, the crowds were large enough to necessitate the police blocking two lanes to make room. He was recruited off Second Ave. and invited to the United Artists building on Music Square to sign a contract with Heaven Spun Records. 1994 he formed the Harry Fontana Rockabilly Trio in Helsinki for overseas tours, which released an EP with "Confidential, "Wildcat", "Sweet Love On My Mind" and "You Look That Good To Me" that same year. In 1998 Harry released his "Rockabilly House" album from Colvert Brothers Records, Nashville, TN. Also in 1998, Harry’s contribution to Rockabilly music was mentioned in “The History of Rockabilly, A Forty Year Journey” (Hal-Leonard) by Billy Poore. In 2003 he was contacted by a charitable organization, "The Pietarinkadun Oilers" to write a song, "3 X 20", for the Finnish ice hockey team to be played during the International World Ice Hockey Championships held in Helsinki. In 2004 he was featured in Bill Rouda’s, “Nashville’s Lower Broad, The Street That Music Made” (Smithsonian Books). His photograph from this book is also featured in the Country Music Hall Of Fame. In 2006 he was invited to appear on the Johnny Cash tribute album "Train of Love, A Tribute to Johnny Cash", contributing his version of "Get Rhythm". In 2009 he was contacted to be a part of the “Slap That Bass, Finnish Rockabilly 1979-2009” box set, to be released in February 2010. It features his bio and one of his early recordings “OH-OH, Get Out Of The Car” from 1990. Harry has played regular shows on Lower Broadway in Nashville at Roberts Western World, Laylas Bluegrass Inn and Wolfies, in addition to having appeared at World Famous Tooties Orchid Lounge, Legends, Full Moon Saloon, Printers Alley, The Wildhorse Saloon and all over Nashville. He has played with Hank Williams III, Chuck Berry, DJ Fontana, Charlie Feathers, Paul Burlison, Kenny Vaughn, Brian Setzer, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Marty Stuart, Billy Burnette, James Intveld and last but not least, recorded “Confidential” with Pentti Lasanen.
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Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
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