When musicians aren’t making music they’re making babies, and so one would think with genetics and nepotism on your side, the offspring of a musical star would find the road to fame and fortune to be smooth sailing. However, this is usually not the case. Many of those little “apples” fall “G flat” and very far from the tree when it comes to having the talent and success their parents enjoy. For example, John Lennon’s children are virtually unheard of in the music business. John Bonham, one of the best drummers of all time [Listen to Led Zeppelin’s “Moby Dick” for details], has a son Jason who is an accomplished drummer in his own right but pales in comparison to his dad. Therefore, my attitude was slightly cynical when Bobby DiMarzo asked me to interview Antonia Bennett, daughter of the world famous and beloved Tony Bennett.

By Steve Santagati

Photo by Annette Navarro

I hopped online, went straight to iTunes and began scrolling down Antonia’s list of songs. I found “Love is a Battlefield” made popular by Pat Benatar and written by Holly Knight, whom Antonia is currently working with. “I know that song,” I said out loud and I played that one first. Amazing interpretation. Track after track her sultry, timeless and engaging voice made me feel like I was in a big house sipping scotch and starring out a window into a rainy night. Antonia is a super talent and I felt the excitement and anticipation of talking to a legend in the making.

While the phone rang I sort of expected her to answer and say, “hello darling,” using a vernacular tone common in the black and white movies of the 50s, but instead her speaking voice was that of a California girl. Hearing her singing voice and then hearing her on the phone caused the sort of dissonance you feel when you hear Mick Jagger sing without a British accent.

Photo by Peter Melleka

Steve Santagati: Why do you think the children of stars go into the music business but don’t always find success?
Antonia Bennett: When you grow up in a musical family it’s like growing up in a family of lawyers, you’re surrounded by it so your sensibility is to follow what you were raised in. I chose to stand in his [Tony Bennett] light not in his shadow and I love doing what I do. I think some people are happy making the music they’re making and don’t need the status quo ideas of fame and success. Those things mean different things to different people.

SS: Do you watch American Idol? Do you think anyone on the show has real talent?
AB: I don’t really have time to watch much TV but Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson made it work, they’re both very talented. There’s lot’s of pressure on those kids. They work them really hard; they’re young so I can’t say much more about it than that.

SS: How do you think you would have done on American Idol?
AB: I would rather go at my own pace and take a more organic approach.

SS: What do you hate about the music industry and what do you love about it?
AB: I love that artists have the Internet now and people can find out about them more easily. In the past they would have to have had a record deal to be heard. I don’t hate anything but the thing that is lacking is the money from the labels, they ‘re not handing out as many deals these days.

SS: What did your dad say when you decided to pursue a music career?
AB: My dad had mixed feelings about me getting into the business. He has always been supportive of me exploring the arts but he also wanted me to understand it is a difficult lifestyle being away from home so much. So he was loving and realistic with me.

SS: You went to Berklee in Boston, what do you think about the Boston music scene?
AB: There are a lot of great local musicians in Boston. I love Boston; it’s a great place to go to school. My favorite place to perform is at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. I’ve been performing there since I was a little kid and the audience has known me for a long time, the crowd is rooting for you and it makes you want to give that much more.

SS: What do you have coming up for projects?
AB: I’m shopping a new album. My new record is more poppy / adult contemporary. I’ve worked with some of the industries best and I’m really excited about this because the people I got to work with are like “musical tailors.”

SS: Have you ever thought about pursuing a full time acting career?
AB: I got so immersed in the music and there’s so much to do it keeps me busy but who knows, I don’t rule anything out.

Publishers Note: My longtime friend, Steve Santagati is the President of Bad Boys Finish First Inc. He just returned from New York where he sat down with Lady GaGa as a correspondent for the television show Extra. When I decided to feature my dear friend Antonia in this issue’s Celebrity Feedback column, I called upon Steve for the interview.