The first thing that most people ask when they hear about Nuggy for the first time is where the hell does that name come from ?!. And its actually an important question, since it has to do with the start of his career as a professional musician.

Nuggys actual name is Mario Valente (or just Mario; for you its Mr. Nuggy). After starting out back in 1984 as a guitar player in garage bands trying to emulate their Kiss idols, Nuggy decided in 1989 to switch to the bass guitar and learn to play it right at the Hot Club Portugal jazz school. It was there that he got his Nuggy nickname due to his constant references to a particular hilarious character in the Miami Vice TV series (Yo Nuggy, whats up my man?).

From this period of learning came one of his first steps in the ladder to national visibility as an aggressive bass player. It was at Hot Club that he met other members of top 40 cover band SGS. When he became part of the band, touring nationally throughout Portugals bars and clubs, he completely transformed the once straight and regular nice guys look of the band into a rock n roll outfit that not only changed their appearance but also their repertoire. The band even got to record a CD with promotional material, but eventually disbanded after a couple of diferent lineups and in particular after Nuggy decided to go to Londons Musicians Institute in 1994.

When he came back to Portugal in 1995 it was with most of the former members of the SGS that he decided to form his newly created vision of what a rock band should be. The band Fokker, with Nuggy at the helm, once again created quite a stir in the local bars circuit with their bombastic show (including Nuggy breaking the stage platform with his jumps) and looks. Fokker went on to record a CD single with original material and appearing on national TV because of it. Once again the band broke up when Nuggy refused to let some of the members take credit for work that was not their own. After a few gigs without Nuggy, Fokker just wasn't the same anymore; it had lost its leader.

This breakup was actually to Nuggys benefit since it allowed him to be free to go onto even bigger places. Soon after Nuggy started doing support shows with Adelaide Ferreira, a portuguese female singer with several records and hits, and from this gig he got the contacts for his 4 year stint with Paulo Gonzo.

With Paulo Gonzo, a portuguese solo artist with several records and hits, Nuggy recorded one of the biggest selling albums in the portuguese rock scene. Quase Tudo sold more than 350.000 copies, went triple platinum two times, and allowed Nuggy to raise his already large experience to more than 2000 live show performances making him one the most seasoned veterans in the portuguese music scene. One of these performances was as headlining act for Tina Turner at a packed football stadium.

Nuggy is a man on a mission and involving himself with different projects. After working with Arya, Soul Space, Armadillo and Ferro & Fogo in the past 5 years he´s most important and visible of all is his current playing with ANA MALHOA, new pop sensation NELSON RITCHIE, S&A (w/ Sérgio Animal from RCA and REAKTOR) and is new covers project NUGGYLAND.

Be sure to catch him on tour and on stage if you´d like to hear some non-conventional no-holds-barred bass playing that have made him an admired and controversial musicians musician.

PERSONAL CONTACTS:

- Email: nuggy@iol.pt

- Tmn: 967401824

- Vodafone: 919315557

- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mr.NuggyBoy

- Myspace: www.myspace.com/mario_nuggy_valente

- Twitter: www.twitter.com/MrNuggyBoy

- Adress: Apartado 139, 2951-901 Palmela, Portugal

BANDS CONTACTS:

WWW.ANAMALHOAOFICIALSITE.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ANAMALHOA

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ANAMALHOAROCK

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ANAMALHOAPLAYBOY

WWW.NELSONRITCHIE.COM

WWW.NUGGYLAND.HI5.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/NUGGYLAND

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SERGIOEANIMAIS

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DATES:

5/12 - Almirante (Frielas) - Nuggyland

7/12 - Voçê Na TV, TVI - Ana Malhoa

10/12 - SIC - Ana Malhoa

14/12 - TVI - Ana Malhoa

16/12 - SIC - Ana Malhoa

18/12 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

20/12 - Rádio Gaia FM (Gaia) - Nelson Ritchie

9/1 - Almirante (Frielas) - Nuggyland

29/1 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

6/2 - Almirante (Frielas) - Nuggyland

13/2 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

19/3 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

17/4 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

15/5 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

19/6 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

2/7 - Sacavem - Nelson Ritchie

9/7 - TBA - Nelson Ritchie

17/7 - In Live Caffé (Moita) - Nuggyland

13/8 - Ferreira Do Zezere - Nelson Ritchie

16/8 - TBA - Nelson Ritchie

17/8 - TBA - Nelson Ritchie

Kiss Meets The Phantom Of The Park

Detroit Rock City