R. Anthony Ianuario was born in Augusta, GA and grew up in North Augusta, SC. He was a highly decorated helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Over the years his hobbies have included flying, antique auto and motorcycle restoration, collecting and rebuilding antique gas engines, and furniture building. He is retired from Athens/Clarke County Public Utilities Department as Senior Utilities Inspector. He has been a member of the Guild of American Luthiers since 1993.

When he is not making mandolins, he is repairing them. His work fixing mandolins, banjos and even violins is in demand in the Athens area. He is especially proud of his work restoring vintage instruments, and he is very careful to maintain the integrity of old instruments.

Some of the professional musicians who have played his mandolins are:
Bill Monroe
Jesse McReynolds
Norman Blake
Dempsey Young
Mick Moloney
Herschel Sizemore