Antonia Cove

Songwriting and storytelling are only the first steps. For Antonia music can have a greater purpose. The daughter of social activists, Antonia grew up hearing stories from regular people in need of help. When you grow up in NYC life happens quickly and kids grow up fast. So To keep Antonia out of trouble when she was not in school, her mother put her to work at her company that helped disadvantaged people find jobs. “ I remember being at their office when I was about twelve and seeing welfare mothers struggling to find work hoping to put food on the table that night. I watched ex-offenders trying to start over hoping to be given a second chance. I heard watch alarms go off reminding people in the AIDS program to take their meds as they patiently hoped they would be judged by desire and not disease. The constant idea of hope, so inherit to the American spirit, was extremely influential.” However not every story was sad. Antonia saw many grown men cry tears of joy as they found a new life. As a result her lyrics are filled with tales of ordinary characters trying to overcome extraordinary circumstances.

Being raised in Manhattan, Antonia was exposed to a diverse and vibrant music scene. From a young age she expressed a passion for traditional Country, Folk, and Bluegrass. The history and culture of this music was very influential to Antonia, as she began to write her own material. “I spent hours in a used bookstore called the Strand, right off of Union Square. There you could find old music books from the U.S. and around the world. From simple 16th century troubadour ballads, 17th century opera, 18th century sea shanties, and 19th century rebellion songs. It was like one big history lesson through music.” Her own family history also proved to be influential to Antonia. The product of nomadic liberal Jews and communist Irish Catholics the family had documented music, and poems, which described hard times, perseverance, love, and overcoming hardship. "I would hear the stories and songs passed down about my family, and it struck a chord inside. My family from the Aran Islands fled political turmoil and came to the U.S., where they established unions and fought for social justice. The Jewish side of my family lay down tracks everywhere from Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. They were constantly on the go fighting oppressive regimes. Finally they took a leap of faith and hopped a boat to Ellis Island. Hard work and the pursuit of being greater than yourself is a theme within my family, and I also see it a transcendent quality of the American spirit"

Antonia began playing in various NYC clubs before she was even old enough to get in. When she was still a teenager, she booked herself at historic venues like The Bitter End, CBGB’s, The Cornelia Street Cafe, and Kenny’s Castaways. “I remember getting a fake ID on McDougal Street so I could get into clubs and play my music. I’m sure the bookers and bouncers could tell, but they looked the other was so long as you brought in business.”

While attending the Eugene Lang College of The New School University in Greenwich Village she subsidized much of her education with music industry experience. After working at Cherry Lane Music Group and teaching music to inner city children in NYC, Antonia decided to relocate to Nashville and accepted an internship with the Country Music Hall of Fame. During this time in Nashville Antonia discovered the vibrant country music industry and made a conscious decision to pursue a career in the business. "The traditional college route didn't really interest me. I wanted to live and work in the real world. At the New School I was able to live in my own apartment and get credit for working in the music business. It allowed me to graduate early, and hit the ground running with a job in the music industry." Antonia began working for public relations firm Webster & Associates, where she helped to represent a roster of high profile country music clients. Although she enjoyed the experience, Antonia wanted to work closer with her passion, songwriting. When a position opened up at a publishing company on Music Row, Antonia seized the opportunity, and take on a more creative role.

Antonia is proud to be both an artist as well as an executive in the music industry. "I enjoy the process of bringing people music that touches the soul. I have my own stories to tell, and I love the business of making it happen." Using the combination of her music and lyrics, and experience Antonia is committed to creating timeless stories and music.

Influences include: Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Willie McTell, Sonny Boy Williamson, Lead Belly, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Old And In The Way, Phil Ochs, Dave Van Ronk, Woody Guthrie, Son House, Pete Seeger, djano Rinehart. In addition to these musicians, Antonia has a passion for poetry, which aids her in the lyric writing process. She especially en