Tony Carreira

António Manuel Mateus Antunes (European Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐ̃ˈtɔniu mɐnuˈɛɫ mɐˈtɛwʃ ɐ̃ˈtuneʃ], born 30 December 1963 in Armadouro, Pampilhosa da Serra, Portugal), known professionally as Tony Carreira (European Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈtɔni kɐˈʁɐjɾɐ]), is a Portuguese singer and musician. Over the course of his career, he has become one of Portugal’s most popular romantic pop artists, releasing numerous successful albums, performing extensively in both Portugal and among Lusophone communities abroad, and earning recognition for his distinctive melodic style and emotional ballads.

Carreira was born in the small rural locality of Armadouro, Pampilhosa da Serra, he moved to Paris at age 10 with his parents. He lived there for 20 years.

Carreira's stage name was chosen in 1988 during a studio recording session for his first album by his French producer Patrick Oliver. That year he participated in the National Music Award in Figueira da Foz with the song "Uma Noite A teu Lado" (A Night By Your Side), which was one of eight songs selected for the RTP Song Festival that year. The single with the songs "Uma Noite A teu Lado" was released by the Transmédia label. Carreira recorded an album with the tracks "Uma Flor Vai Ficar" (A Flower Will Remain) and "Aprender A Viver não custa. O que custa é saber viver" (Learning to Live Doesn't Cost. What Costs is Knowing How to Live) in 1989.

In 1990, he signed a three-year record deal with Discossete. His first album for that label was recorded in 1991, titled "É Verão Portugal" (It's Summer, Portugal). One of the songs on the album, dedicated to his first son, was called "Meu Herói Pequeno" (My Little Hero). The song was played frequently on the radio, attracting the attention of presenter Carlos Ribeiro and becoming a big hit.

He recorded a new album in 1992, titled "Canta Canta Portugal" (Sing, Sing, Portugal), without significant success, which led to him being dropped by the record label.

He signed a contract with the Espacial record label in 1993. He recorded the album "Português de Alma e Coração" (Portuguese of Soul and Heart). One of the songs on the album was "A Minha Guitarra" (My Guitar), which was a great success, allowing the work to reach gold record status. That same year, he met Dino Meira. He dedicated the song "Adeus Amigo" (Goodbye Friend) to this popular singer, which was released the following year after his death.

The song "Ai, Destino" (Oh, Destiny), recorded in 1995, became a resounding success and definitively marked the romantic style that characterizes his work. Another platinum record in 1995, with the album "Adeus Até Um Dia" (Goodbye Until We Meet Again). That same year, he also participated in the recording of the album "Mãe Querida" (Dear Mother), which featured many other singers from the record label.

The following year, 1997, he released a new album: "Coração Perdido" (Lost Heart). A video for the song "Sonhos de Menino" (Dreams of a Boy) was filmed in his hometown, Armadouro. A year later, another album, "Sonhador, Sonhador" (Dreamer, Dreamer), was released, featuring hits such as "Coração Perdido", "Sonhos de Menino", and "Minha Velha Guitarra" (My Old Guitar), completing the cycle of his first 10 years in the music industry.