🎸 Dream Big and Do Something About It: The Creative Journey of Anthony Small
This week on The Underswell LIVE!, I sit down with musician, arts advocate, columnist, and community connector Anthony Small—a man who has spent his second act building meaning, identity, and impact through music, storytelling, and arts engagement.
From tech sales to releasing his first studio album at 60, from working in minor league baseball to co-executive producing a new documentary on the legendary Los Lobos, Anthony’s story is a masterclass in reinvention. His life’s work now spans songwriting, curating music for community events, arts advocacy, multicultural music education, and creating opportunities for emerging artists.
🎙️Anthony opens up about the flashpoints that changed his trajectory:
- His wife Bonnie’s breast cancer diagnosis
- Caring for parents with Alzheimer’s
- His own kidney cancer journey
- The moment he realized he needed to pursue work that filled his heart
🎸In a show first, he performs two original songs live on the show—Don’t Give Up and Nice Girl—both deeply personal pieces that reflect his belief in resilience, hope, and the emotional power of music.
We also explore:
- The making of his album El Viejo
- Why he curates spaces for young artists to grow
- The story behind the upcoming Los Lobos documentary
- His years writing “Dana Point Rocks”
- Finding identity and belonging through the arts
- The “underswell” that keeps him going
Why Listen? If you’re exploring creative work, navigating a career shift, or seeking deeper purpose, Anthony’s story is a powerful reminder that your life’s best chapters can begin at any age—and that showing up with heart can open doors you never imagined.
Links Anthony Mentioned:
- Anthony Small - https://anthonysmallmusic.com/
- Anthony Small on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-small-40019111/
- Dana Point Rocks, November 2025 - https://www.picketfencemedia.com/danapointtimes/soapbox/dana-point-rocks-muchas-gracias-dana-point/article_4a89b8c6-0ef5-4f35-a321-75d2ad8cb244.html
- Truly Pizza - https://www.trulypizza.com/
- El Viejo, by Anthony Small - https://open.spotify.com/artist/4YauWw1iTj0mgpwAeqhF8k?si=grGoH5THR0CtCRE7PpeioQ
- Native Sons, Los Lobos Doc - https://madpixfilms.com/los-lobos-film/
- Arts Orange County (ArtsOC) - https://artsoc.org/
- Redo Market - https://www.redomarket.com/
- City of Dana Point Arts Ambassadors - https://www.danapoint-arts.com/ambassadors
- The Cheech - https://riversideartmuseum.org/visit/the-cheech/
- LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes - https://lapca.org/exhibition/a-great-day-in-east/
- Dolores Huerta documentary - https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/dolores-huerta/
Music🎵 by Lidérc
Inquire about being a guest on The Underswell at www.theunderswell.com/livewithderek