Tony Vera was born on May 12, 1959, in Philadelphia, PA.  My mother left my father when I was only eight years old and we moved to New York City.  By the age of 12 I was doing magic shows for schools, navy bases and fire stations in the New York area.   At 13 I got a job at Madison Square Garden peddling popcorn and soda for the chance to watch the greatest show on earth, ‘The Ringling Brothers Circus’.  The experience cemented my desire to perform and there was no doubt, I wanted to do it forever!