Harry Fontana and the Tennessee Tone Boys

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 the streets of Lower Broadway around Second Avenue. After a short period of time, the crowds were large enough to necessitate the police blocking two lanes of traffic 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 recognized 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 (phone number hidden)9” 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 was featured at regular shows on Lower Broadway in Nashville at Roberts Western World, Laylas Bluegrass Inn and Wolfy's, in addition to having appeared at the World Famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Legends, Full Moon Saloon, Printers Alley, The Wildhorse Saloon and many other legendary venues throughout Nashville, the state of Tennessee, the country, and the world.. He has accompanied and played with Chuck Berry, DJ Fontana, Hand Williams III, 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, a legendary Finnish saxophone player and instrumentalist and member of The Four Cats .

In 2011 he appeared in the musical production "Rockabilly Revival: A Sun Records Tribute" playing the part of Carl Perkins in Paducah, KY. He has also made several appearances on the Nashville Traditions radio show on WSM 650 AM live broadcasts. 
After more than 30 years in rockabilly, he branched out, releasing "Lonely Sun", his first venture in pop music. This eclectic album features 10 original songs written over the past 20 years spanning multiple genera. His newest rockabilly album, "American Finnish Rockabilly", released in 2011 comprises his latest compilation of both original songs and covers of many fan favorites, including "Get of of the Car" and "Rockabilly Rebel". Harry was thrilled to became a naturalized American citizen in March of 2012 and is proud to continue the legacy of Rockabilly music and the artists who inspired his journey.