Country music recording artist. He began performing at Whitey Johnson’s Zebelean’s club as an 8-year-old singing phenom from West Baltimore at which time he recorded his first record “Ole Shep” b/w “They Call Me A Playboy.”
Also seen at the Tin Dipper and Big Dipper clubs in Beltsville. His group The Versatiles was formed in the late ‘60s and performed throughout the local club scene into the 1980s. They opened for many country music superstars including George Jones, Conway Twitty, Dotty West, Merle Haggard, and many others.
Since the 1970s Johnny cut many records on Frank Gosman’s C.S.A. label. Into the ‘00s he continued to perform as bass guitarist for Ronnie Dove’s band, and the C.S.A. Jamboree band.
Record releases by Johnny Anthony include:
1970 Promote 3111 Ole Shep / They Call Me A Playboy
19** ECP 1002 Penny’s Rainbow / The Wanderer
1990 CSA 192 More Than Once in A While / (same)
1990 CSA 195 Almost in Love / Tent Meeting Blues
1991 CSA 197 Isle of Romance / (same)
19** CSA 14910 Heavens Bed / Mountain Man
Record releases as by Johnny Ray Anthony:
19** Go 003/004 Carolina Blue / Sad Eyes
19** Go 24725 The Iowa, Remembers the Turret Number Two / (same)
(Note: Go 003/004 both sides written by James Hession [who also wrote songs for local group Starbrite])
