Tony Arata was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. While studying for a journalism debree at Georgia Southern University, he began performing his original songs in local bands.
In 1986, he and wife Jaymi moved to Nashville where his unique, soulful style began to get the attention of people like Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks.
Garth recorded seven of Tony's songs and "The Dance" won song of the year at The Academy of Country Music and received both a CMA and a Grammy nomination, as well as most-performed song in Radio and Records magazine. "The Dance" is a song recorded by country singer Garth Brooks. The song, written by Brooks' friend, Tony Arata, was a key track on his self-titled debut album Garth Brooks and a #1 chart hit. It is considered by many to be Brooks' signature song.Tony Arata was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. While studying for a journalism debree at Georgia Southern University, he began performing his original songs in local bands.
In 1986, he and wife Jaymi moved to Nashville where his unique, soulful style began to get the attention of people like Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks.
Garth recorded seven of Tony's songs.