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A True Renaissance Man: From South Philadelphia

Tony Luke, Jr

By Michele Paiva




A lot of times people throw the phrase “Renaissance man” around, however in this instance, it is unerringly true. Without hesitation, Tony Luke, Jr., is a work of personal labyrinthine, a man who has defined the true meaning of the term to the ultimate with a combined collection of traditional family values, and a rebirth of creativity.

Each facet of his life is filled with what some people would hope to achieve in their entire lifetime; and he has many facets, each pliable and growing at a pace that only is limited by his desires.

All of this is not in naught however; when people look at the smiling, smoldering eyes of Luke, they see the entertainer or the man of layers. They do not see the rough start in life he had nor the hardships he has endured. They haven’t felt his pain, felt the sting of childhood tears he cried or experienced the heartbreak of losing his true shining star, his grandmother.

Though one could say we’ve all had hardship, not many can say that they turned the hardship into a place of enrapture for themselves and others. This is what makes Tony Luke, Jr.,  a Renaissance man. 

Most know him as the “cheese steak guy”. His humble beginnings in a row home in the southern region of Philadelphia where he watched his father, a truck driver, start and build a successful food career with deli and catering as the mainstays. A family business, Luke and his brother helped their parents with cooking and packing; working many hours.

“Food was always in my family; it was second nature,” said Luke. He continued, “my father worked long hours and I think that most nights he probably only had about four hours sleep.”

He explained that these somewhat diminished memories were bittersweet; that they were painful to experience and to watch but, taught him life lessons to behold.

“When you grow up in a large Italian family and there is some stress, everyone is fighting to be heard; you learn to be loud and you learn to be direct and forward. You also get used to listening to a crowd of people fighting to be heard and being able to listen to everyone at the same time,” he stated (loudly!)

Luke states one of the first lessons he was able to glean from his early days was the ability to focus. He is able to focus as well as juggle multiple tasks with ease. He credits his father and mother for teaching him to never give up, to be determined to work and to not put limitations upon himself.

But how does all of this translate to the success of his business?

“Growing up food was a chore; it was work. I didn’t enjoy making it, but enjoyed eating it. I enjoyed the traditions surrounding food.”

He continued that he started to notice he craved creativity in his life, and begin to bring creativity to the world he knew; food. He explained he developed a aptitude for mixing the passion he had for creativity to the appreciation he developed for food. During his maturing, he helped his father and brother by showing a dexterity for marketing, again, a creative outlet for him.  

When asked about the economic swings of the past decades, what he credits the success of business with is simplistic but steadfast.  Without hesitation he stated, “A good product at a good price, and most importantly, developing authentic relationships with the customers”. 

He said that while most similar businesses may treat people like a number, his family business sees their own customers as extended family.

“When people come in we don’t give them a number. We ask their name. We get to know them. We ask about their family, we develop relationships with them. We connect and, we do it because we really care”.

This is coming from a man who escaped his world in his youth, by watching television, where he said characters like “Kotter” and “Archie Bunker” were who he would consider his cohorts and companions. His enjoyment of television wasn’t passive though; he extracted lessons from the shows and practiced acting, singing and dancing in front of the mirror, during down time when he wasn’t helping his parents with their businesses.

In his teen years, though an incredibly adept young man, he disliked school and was not shy about not applying himself in an area the he felt lacked value. He was asked to leave his high school which he did; and no stranger to hard work, began a full time job. 

One day, this full-blooded Italian boy, no more than 15, was loading a truck and his father was near. He explained this father yelled out to him something that would change his life forever. 

“There is a performing arts high school opening up; they are auditioning kids. Go try out; go audition.”

Apprehensive at first, and then once there, overwhelmed with what seemed to be millions of teens, he did take a breath in, summon the courage and audition. They accepted only a small number of youth, and he was in that esteemed group. He was being recognized and appreciated finally, for the gifts he had and a group of people saw the potential within him.

The young Tony was a drama major and music minor; classes that would help him to set the course of his life.

Through his working in the family business, he had years of working in acting and music as well, with other stints in boxing and other kinetic venues. It was also during those years that he battled challenges that included some addictions that he fought with valiance and overcame completely. However, it was when a major film hired him to be a supporting actor that his life took yet another turn. The movie, 10th and Wolf, directed by Robert Moresco, hired him to play Dennis Hoppers  right hand man. Hopper, in the role of “Matty Matello” and Luke in the role of “Rocco”, in street style movie set in Philadelphia with a classic mob twist.

With misfortune, the other actors didn’t have the stronger Philadelphia accent to carry near to Lukes home-grown accent, which he laid on thicker than usual to add a street-smart style to his character; the result? He sounded more Philadelphia than they desired and his speaking parts were cut; he went from supporting actor to glorified extra in a few snips. Still friendly with the director, Moresco who thought highly of him and his talents, he was able to land a role in the Disney produced “Invincible” directed by Ericson Core, based upon the story of Vince Papale, a 30 something bartender from South Philadelphia who went on to try out for and make the Philadelphia Eagles football team. Luke wasn’t thrilled with the role originally, as it was a one line role, which to actors who have done much already, is a regression.

However, the risk to take the part was a good one; he ended up being well-known and recognized as the caped player, and he was featured in the trailer to the movie as well.

Enjoying his craft, he wanted to take it a step further; but at 43, at the time of this realization, a friend in the business said to him, “Tony, you are two decades behind, you have got to do something radical”.  With this information, and some guidance, Luke wrote a script, placed himself as the lead, took three years to raise the money to fund the movie and  turned dream into reality.

“The story is loosely based upon my father’s home life. He lived with abuse and I felt the script would help to bring awareness about something that people often don’t speak about”

Directed by James Quattrochi, the movie boasted actors such as Tony Danza, William Forsythe, Dayanara Torres and Leo Rossi. Based upon a fictional character “Joey Nardone” played by Luke, the story is about a heavy weight boxer who has spent almost a decade in prison for an accident, who returns to Philadelphia; he tries to return to a normal life but can’t quite find meaning and passion until he meets a young boy. The boy is bullied and picked on and is in an abusive home. The story unfolds with Nardone, teaching the boy how to stand up for himself and in the end, teaches the child as well as himself, that some things are worth fighting for.

A meaningful part of the movie, there is a scene where a song is heard and is reprised at the end of the movie; this is performed by Luke himself. Written by the talented Skip Denenberg, “And We Call Them Coach” is powerfully moving from the lyrics to the ethereal sounds of Luke and the cross over sound of the music itself. 

“The song is about Joey as the coach but it is about anyone; a mother, sibling, teacher, friend… anyone who has helped make you who you are today, it is a tribute to them”, said Luke.

The long hours starting at five in the morning and lasting until almost midnight, was a labor of love and a life lesson; but it was also an apprised success.

Winning film festivals, approval of critics and national and international recognition; Showtime has named it in the top 20 Films and it is not only in the top 20, it’s number two.

With a voice that could melt steel, Luke is directing some of his energy and passion to his vocal career. Though he stated that acting, especially in the demanding scope of “The Nail”, he had to “go deep inside to get to the emotions needed, which were both rewarding but rough”, where with recording “And We Call Them Coach”, as well as other music he performs or records, it is always a “warm experience” that he likens to being addicted to a drug. 

“If I am out and someone has a guitar, I’ll sing all night long next to that person. It’s addicting”

He is altering his schedule slowly but surely to add more time for music, including both studio time and performing; with an abundance of venues already set up for the next six months.

When asked, he stated that studio work is inventive and creative, and that it is where his creativity soars; but there is an intimacy while performing; that he has a focus on sharing what he has created with the audience, and hopes they get the same feelings as he has developed from the music. 

“I love them both equally, but differently”, he stated, explaining the two venues of performing.

As far as which genres Luke enjoys, it was as eclectic as his talents.

“I love country; the story it tells…it plays like a movie. R and B is sultry and evokes emotion…hmmm… classic rock, that is a lot like R and B but with a higher energy, then you have rap, which can be really great also. Soft jazz brings up emotion also, with beautiful melodies…and Standards, OH I how I love Standards!”

At that point, his moan of wanton actually brings me to a laugh, and I tell him I am thankful we are not doing the radio show because I didn’t expect such an exclamation of passion from him, and he, still reeling from his passion explains why Standards do in fact, bring up such emotion in him. 

“They are a singers venue. Sinatra and others like him, they sang and just let go. When you sing Standards, you can just let it go”

He did state though, that the one style that transports him to almost a spiritual place, is opera. “It takes me somewhere else, it’s like meditation to me.”

Somehow, the rugged man with twenty six  [large] tattoos (I made him count them), doesn’t exactly look like a fan of opera in the traditional sense. 

He also doesn’t look like someone who wants to make time for more painting in abstract to express how he feels in each brush stroke. He looks more like a prize winning boxer (and yes, he was a boxer for the record) with an intimidating aura. 

However, within the next five years, this performer, artist and businessman plans on reinventing himself even more.

“More restaurants, a new movie, and a new album, can be expected in the next year or so”, said Luke. 

True to his humanitarian spirit, he is planning on making fast food healthier with a five year plan on a chain of healthy fast food restaurants.

 “Not that people need to change but they should have a choice. People should be able to have healthier food as accessible as fast food is.” 

A visionary with talent, a determined powerhouse, and armed with the trials and tribulations who made him the man he is today, Tony Luke, Jr., embodies the spirit of a true Renaissance man.

 

The Education System, Uncovered

Michele M. Paiva

There is a man not faint-hearted to speak out, to wage war with unions, to challenge political snakes, and to fight for the education of our youth.

“This is an issue under-covered in the media” he declared strongly. He continues, “What we are seeing in the media is actually sourced mostly by union representatives. The media has few sources willing to talk, and those that do speak to the media, are possibly lying. We caught lies right on tape in fact.”

Who is the man with a mission, who speaks with a commanding voice and a deliberate choice of words in each breath? It is Bob Bowdon, the Executive Producer, Director and force behind the award winning documentary “The Cartel” a documentary that exposes the educational system like no other media piece has done before, opening nationally on April 30th.

Bowdon is not new to research and uncovering stories; he is a seasoned news producer, reporter, anchor and commentator for almost two decades. A media and business mogul, he owns a marketing firm, and degrees in mechanical engineering, engineering management and film production from esteemed universities such as Purdue, Stanford and New York University.

Bowdon’s first movie, has won numerous awards from film festivals from coast to coast, and has won accolades of support from parents and the general public. However, some administrators, union leaders and politicians are not as glowing with their praise, according to Bowdon. 

“Transparency goes hand in hand with accountability; by being transparent the system can’t hide. Right now, it is hiding and integrity just is not there,” he stated.

It is a cycle. The documentary showcases our educational system and it is unearthed that behind every “Drop out factory”, in other words, schools that are failing our students, there lurks in the hidden recesses, a self-serving, hardened, uncompromising, established and powerful cartel.  Who are they? They are administrators and politicians, with an investment in money and power, and not an investment in the education of our youth.

There are teens who can’t read. There are children shoved into labels and illusive, fraudulent programs that are marketed to the parent to help the child, but are simply imaginary, crooked, malevolent guises to filter money from grants and taxes into padded pockets of the villains of the school districts.

Parents are frustrated, duped or have given up. 

However, we learn about, in the movie, through some tears, some cheers, that there are charters available, and even homeschool options, that have been born out of need; a need that was erroneously born out of the failings of the underhanded administrators and unions.

In this, teachers are often suffering as well; at the dispensation of the unions who bully them. At the mercy of the district who holds the reigns to their careers. At the front line of the parents with their hands tied, and staring eye to eye with students that they struggle to help.

With interviews, consultants and participation from a wide range of individuals, including union leaders and people off the street, children and administrators; we see a darkness that can be only described as frightening and a glimmer that can be described as reachable hope.

Bob Bowdon’s “The Cartel” opens across the United States on April 30th. For more information, please visit www.thecartelmovie.com


Reprint in full, with byline, for April and May of 2010, permission granted

    Brian Krause: Ignites Emotion: Part One
    At first glance we see a man with a contagious smile and large soulful eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. His posture is perfect, and his demeanor is courteous and respectful. As most people with above average intelligence or seemingly so, he is quirky without a doubt. Anyone who opts to sing a Tiny Tim song for their American Idol audition is going to leave people scratching their heads.

    Tahtianna Friend, artist and owner of Simply Inviting, (shopsimplyinviting.com) based out of Collingswood, New Jersey asked, “Seriously, was it a joke?” of Krause’s performance and his video of himself playing with toys in a bathtub from his website.

    She adds, “ I believe that he probably has a good amount of talent and used it to get to the point where he was in front of the judges and camera, but then flipped to his comedy schitck... or to make fun of American Idol in general, I hope.” 

    “I get asked that question a lot,” said Krause, “I just sort of say, how serious can singing Tiny Tim actually be?”, making note that although he did sing the song, he did it in the way Tiny Tim meant it to be, in jest.

    If you’ve watched American Idol, you know the Chicago man who has ignited both fans and foes of his talent. He is known for also, needing to take some time in a bathtub to “think” and “collect his thoughts”. He is the man whom, an American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi, said “Tip Toe that way” and pointed to the door to leave, a phrase that now has become a funny cliche’, with the last laugh being on her rather than with her.

   Kara DioGuardi, being a song writer turned American Idol talent judge, is in fact, a successful woman in her own right but she should know as a songwriter perhaps, that one can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Entertainers who worked with her, such as Jessica Simpson and Hilary Duff, thrived in part because of her talent, not their own at all times. In his day, Tiny Tim had was a household name, and still recognized by many, and it seems that Krause, was able to be as savvy as DioGuardi’s talents in utilizing a self-made success. Not too shabby for a guy without connections.  DioGuardi is known as a launching pad to many, and perhaps her one phrase and finger point, has not only helped launch the loveable Krause, but helped show that even the powers that be, may not know best.

    However, some people who are in the business with a lot of varied music and entertainment background feel in fact, he should “tip toe that way”.

    Steve Bryant, Tennessee, satire songrwriter, former QVC host and entertainer, feels he is “another butt wipe looking for his Warhol-promised 15 minutes of fame, hiding behind the “aw-shucks” demeanor. This kind of “contestant” is getting old.”

    However, what most people do not know, until now, is that Krause wasn’t even looking for that attention. He was persuaded to go with friends who were auditioning, and thought it would just be fun. His friends didn’t make the cut but he got down to the final twenty.

     Of course, now he’s got the attention and he’s riding it; but as he said in his recent interview with me, “If I can entertain people and make them laugh, and help them forget their problems, then I’m happy.”

    During our interview, he called me “Ma’am” often and it was obviously not a put-on schtick  was thought that he had at American Idol; I am referencing the judges who mocked him when he called them “Mr. Jackson” and “Mr. Cowell” and so on. Maybe it’s just me, but as a person who wishes there was more respect in the world, I think the judges should have not mocked respect, be it they thought it was an act or not. What signal did THAT send out to the public? Perhaps the judges are just not privy to circulating in circles of that level of ethics. Who knows; I’m not judging just trying to comprehend.

    One thing we don’t have to comprehend is that Brian Krause makes no secret that he likes bubble baths!  He mentioned baths several times in interviews and even at his audition. Go ahead, ask me where he was when I was interviewing him? In his bathtub. (For the record, this was a telephone interview! I was not in the bathroom with him!) He actually did laugh at the irony of me calling at the time of his relaxing soak.

    This is exactly the quirky genius that he is, and this is what is coming to fruition across the United States.

        Linder-Koda, an entertainer in her own right, has clients and collaborators that include Ralph Lauren Polo, Lou Rawls, David Hasslehoff and some of the most influential artists in the entertainment industry, had something to say.     “I personally felt sorry for him as if he really doesn't have a clue. If it was an act, he is a genius. I remember the first and real "Tiny Tim" and he was not the sharpest tack in the box, “ she commented.            

    As far as the debate on how he got to the finalist twenty or if he has talent or not, Allie Proko, a young lady from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania comments, “While singing may not be his greatest talent [based on the American Idol audition], it is apparent that he can still entertain a crowd. I think that while he did not make it through to Hollywood, he still accomplished what seems to be the ultimate goal for many, making people happy through something they enjoy.”

         David Apostolico, of Philadelphia, author of “Compete, Play, Win: Finding your Best Competitive Self”, a man who is an expert in competing, also affirms and echo’s many. “I believe he was competing for television exposure rather than to make it to Hollywood. In that pursuit, he proved successful by differentiating himself from the pack. If that was indeed his goal, he clearly knew what he was doing.

          Krause, during our interview, went on to tell how his “Tiny Tim” came to be. He stated that one of his friends mother’s stated he sounded like Edith Bunker while he was singing, and then they started talking about range, and so on, and the topic of Tiny Tim came up and the rest is history.            

     During the interview at this point I am only knowing Krause as a bubble-bath loving, Tiny Tim singing, Tip Toeing man. However, then he throws a zinger.           

     “I look up to a lot of the 19th and 20th century greats like [Sergei] Rachmaninoff, [Peter Illyich] Tchaikovsky and George Gershwin. My favorite music would have to be 19th century romance and, some 1970’s classic rock like Elton John”, he states, with the sounds of his bath water splashing in the background. He then stated that Elton John’s hit, “Benny and the Jets” is what started him on the higher pitch sounds, where he has learned to slip into various ranges with ease.            


    Then he throws another zinger, not expected from a man who just can screech out a Tiny Tim tune. His love of classical music is where he began his love of singing as well. “That’s how I got started singing concert tenor.”  Concert Tenor??            

    He studied music for over twenty years, focusing on classical and in recent years, composing. “Music is about having fun” he said.            A church going man, dedicated to his spirituality and he feels God is the basis for all he does.            

    An Army veteran, he is a performer with the Veterans Creative Arts festival which is aired on PBS. He is playing both for the choir and his original works.            

    When asked, he stated his music compositions come from a range of emotions, “It’s usually inspirational, if I am really happy, or if I’m really upset or if I’m in a jocular mood; it’s about having fun and it also serves a whole multitude of purposes.”                    

    One of the purposes he sees his gifts is in helping others forget their troubles. When he was serving one of his duty assignments he wrote a song about his Sergeants. “A lot of people thought it was funny and we put it on disc for them and gave one to the one Sergeant when he went to his other assignment.”          

    “The other sergeant thought it was funny too, but was more interested in the more serious, classical stuff, so he paid me to write some stuff for his wedding.”            

    He went on to outline how he used to be a representative for the soldiers and he would organize different fundraisers. He is committed, whether serving in the Army, with his church or on his own, to outreach and helping others as a way of life.    

Family Reunion: Part Two

     All of Brian Krauses giving back has made it’s way back to him. As a child he was abused and held almost as captive, explaining that even a few years were spent homeschool with the purpose of keeping him from the outside world and relatives. He is estranged from his immediate family at this time. He speaks of nothing specific but the pain in his voice is not without notice; this is a man who has suffered and endured pain.            

    However, one of the best aspects for him, is not the newfound fame or opportunity in career, but the fact that when he was on American Idol, family members that he did not know existed and was unable to see (but his immediate family knew of) found him.            

    He stumbles and is in pain, it is clear; and though as a journalist I “want” the story, I respect the human behind the store more than my own desire to have the story; and I do tell him he doesn’t have to go further. He feels comfortable enough after a bit and does.          Through some initial stammering, he outlines how something he never thought would ever expect took place.            

    “Growing up, it was um, oh geeze, a dysfunctional, abusive-like setting, and joining the Army helped me get out of that and that’s what put me through college.”          

He continued, “I haven’t been close with immediate family since. That’s close to a decade now, and I’ve seen them only two or three times since.”         

     “I never even knew before that I had two brothers and a sister. They contacted me; they haven’t seen my dad for over 36 years.” He explained that the youngest one is maybe four or five years older but that they are considerably older than him.          


    “If I got anything out of this [American Idol] it was finding out about my family. In the past, in the immediate family, we were not allowed to talk to anybody “outside”.  We were not allowed to talk to anyone, to even mention our families name. It was pretty weird.”          

    As he speaks, there is no hint of musician, comedian or Army soldier; just the shadow of a boy abused.         

     “It certainly had some social setbacks”, meaning his development socially from the abuse. “I’m finally finding out who everybody is, cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, everybody. So it’s overwhelming, and I couldn’t be more thankful.” His voice shaking and you could hear the emotion welling up. He hasn’t met them yet but will soon, and has seen photographs of his brother John and sister Laura; he has not seen photographs of Joseph yet but has been told Joseph looks like him and sounds like him.          

   That must be comforting for a man who growing up was almost living the life of a kidnapped child who thought they were alone; to find roots and a welcoming foundation.          

    “I don’t know whether to cry because I’m happy about it or just rejoice and scream at the top of my lungs but it’s something I feel like sharing with the world because it’s been so extraordinary and I couldn’t have done it without God. Before the audition I didn’t even know what American Idol was, or any of these other reality shows; my friends watched them. I was picked out of 12, 000, my family saw me,  recognized me and contacted me.”         

    As far as popularity, he admits to feeling overwhelmed. He states that his personal and professional life have responded. “It’s been a blessing working with Don Chin, my manager, he supports me”.  He continues with his spirituality. “The important advice for others is to have a support group, family, friends, church. Staying active, having outlets. I had music and comedy to help channel some of that hurt. Staying productive. Putting it up to God. The bible says you put the kingdom first, all else falls secondary. I put my trust in my faith and everything has worked out so far. It’s really been a blessing.”            

    “Knowing that there is more than my parents and my younger sister; I have hundreds of other relatives. I lost touch with my immediate family after the service; I went to Temple University out in Philadelphia, then I moved out to Chicago. I try to stay productive; to continue looking forward and not letting certain emotions hold you back. Music and comedy have been a blessing for me and I’m so glad I got to share that with the world.”   So are we Brian, and I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of you.   


  To hear some of Brian Krauses original compositions, please visit www.iambriankrause.com Also on his site, enjoy the opportunity to see some of his zany antics and as a treat, he will do a personalized recording of “Happy Birthday” in comedic “Brain Krause” style, to anyone of your choosing!


PLEASE NOTE: the photograph is property of Brian Krause with permission only via his management and syndicator. 
Must write for use. Audio property of Michele Paiva and syndicator, write to Michele Paiva for use info@michelepaiva.com