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By Crystal Reith Growing up, whenever a good song came on it always made Tony Moger’s day better.
“It’s that good feeling you get that lifts you up,” said Moger. “There’s something about how music can create these emotional connections.”
Moger enjoys performing songs for people wherever he goes. He performs cover songs, as well as his own originals. Moger describes his musical style as non-typical but feels that he has been able to combine complementary patterns, rhythms, melodies and chords to make it his own.
“Some people really like the fact that it’s different. It breaks the monotony of what is expected, though for some, it might be hard to interpret what I’m doing,” said Moger.
Moger began performing his music publicly in late 2023, had 32 gigs last year in 2024 and anticipates 40 or more this year.
“I have to give a great amount of credit to my wife, Robyn. She does so much to keep things organized and communicates with a lot of people. She has always pushed me to try,” said Moger. “Also, my parents have always encouraged my efforts. I’m always so grateful for the kind words and complements from others.”
Moger likes playing music locally but finds it can be a little nerve wracking.
“I still have fun. It’s also fun to play places I’ve never been. I’m getting to discover places and people I otherwise might not have ever known.
As momentum and excitement builds, Moger understands the need to keep growing and developing his artistic skill and looks forward to attending a songwriter retreat. With the help of a grant from Southwest Minnesota Arts Council with funds from the McKnight Foundation, Moger plans to participate in the next Buffalo Ridge Songwriters Roundup in Gary, SoDak.
Led by Jan Buckingham, a twice Grammy-nominated songwriter who worked with artists such as Whitney Houston, Pam Tillis, George Jones and many others, the retreat will also host Nashville musicians and songwriters. While at the weekend retreat, attendees will focus on group writing, individual writing and evening performances. Moger hopes to get to know others, learn from people in the industry and work on recording some music.
“It will put pressure on me to put my work out there,” said Moger who must share his accomplishments with the arts council next year.
He encourages anyone trying to succeed in art or music to consider applying for a grant like this, as the funding can help accomplish goals. Moger, whose dream has remained the same since he was a kid, wants to create a song that makes people light up and feel good when it comes on the radio.
“It would be really neat to leave a mark like that behind,” said Moger.
As a farm kid, Moger found himself drawn to music at an early age. He remembers listening in the tractor while his father worked in the field.
“My older sister loved music and always had music on. She took piano lessons and when she wasn’t playing it, I would sneakily try to play it and make up songs. She was in band in school and when I was old enough, I decided to join,” said Moger. “Maybe that’s why guitar appealed to me so much. It’s kind of like a portable piano. Being part of the band helped give me a lot of exposure to variety of music. Fulda always had a wonderful band program and great band teacher, Mr. Mike Peterson.”
Moger remembers starting band and choosing to play trumpet, mostly because his family had an old cornet his father picked up at an auction.
He used the same approach when he began playing guitar.
“I taught myself how to play and as I got better, my guitars got better.”
After high school, Moger graduated from Vo-Tech in Canby, Minn. and did a year of general education at Minnesota West in Worthington. Then in 2002, he graduated from Southwest State University (SSU) in Marshall, Minn. with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
“While attending SSU, I used to watch an open mic night at one of local bars now called the Varsity Pub. Eventually, I decided to give it a try. Back then, I was lucky to have some really good friends that pushed me up there and cheered me on,” said Moger. “I’m still lucky to have new and old friends cheering me on.”
After graduating from college, Moger moved home and worked different jobs. He tried to be there for his family and the farm. Outside of that, he had plenty of distractions from music.
“Music took a backseat,” said Moger.
Then Moger had a life changing experience when he was diagnosed with stage 5 renal failure.
“It seemed like my 30’s came and went. I had an autoimmune disease that destroyed my kidneys, and I may have had that disease my whole life. I went to the doctor thinking I had a bad cold only to find out it was something far more serious,” said Moger.
At 39, Moger received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Less than a year later, he and wife Robyn had their son Alex and a little later, their daughter Ella. After the kidney transplant and becoming a father playing nursery rhymes for his children, Moger realized he wanted to do more with music.
“Life keeps moving by so fast, if you don’t do something that is part of who you are, you lose who you are,” said Moger. I’m fortunate to get a second shot at life. I’m doing something with it that allows me to feel like me.”
While the kidney transplant and dialysis were tough on his family, Moger feels they have something to show for it through his music.
“We all face challenges every day,” said Moger. “We all try to keep moving forward. There’s always going to be obstacles and tough times. All we can do is keep trying and try to do right by others. That’s what I try to teach my kids that ‘We keep trying’.”
Amid the roller coaster ride of his music and family life, Moger has also found the benefits of being involved in the community.
“I’ve played taps for military funerals for over 30 years. That’s one of the best things I’ve been involved with. It’s important to support our veterans,” said Moger. “I try to play music for churches and preschools, too. You definitely get back more than you give. I feel connected, more than ever, to our world here in Southwest Minnesota, and the appreciation and kindness I feel from people means the world to me. I am truly lucky.”
