DALLAS — The City of Dallas has lost one of its heroes.
"He loved music, and he loved people, and he loved to put them together,” said Kyle Money, local artist.
Anthony Bellante was known around town as fixture on the Dallas music scene for decades.
”Oh man, Anthony was you know, a Dallas hero,” said Money.
He was always looking for new and fresh artists for this talent shows, and he was a promoter.
Money said Bellante helped him get started.
“And he never charged me a dime for anything. He was so kind,” said Money.
Deanna Priddy said she met Bellante six years ago, and recently, he helped her record her first song.
”He was a big dreamer and he thought if you can dream it, you can do it,” said Priddy.
According to his friends, in late July Bellante got sick. On Aug. 3rd, he was taken to Medical City Dallas.
He tested positive for COVID and was eventually put on life support.
"I kind of knew at that point that we were in trouble. That he was in trouble,” said Money.
Four days later, Bellante passed away. His friends said they were surprised, because Bellante took COVID seriously, but he didn’t get the vaccine.
“And now, he’s gone. It’s no good. We have to get vaccinated,” said Money.
Priddy said she takes comfort in the last conversation she had with her friend.
“And he talked about how much, you know, God was a big part of his life,” said Priddy.
His friends said Bellante is gone but his legacy lives on in all of the musicians and artists whose lives he touched.