folk-rock Americana

 "Her singing is stunning, simply beautiful. Her songs are first rate, and her style crosses many genres"

- Mary Gauthier

Equal parts rootsy folk-rock with integrity, Americana, and pop, singer-songwriter Toni Catlin weaves tales of heartache, acceptance and redemption and delivers them in a soulful, mellifluous voice that suggests she's lived more than a few of her lyrics. Her inspirational songs reflect her strong and independent nature, yet also convey a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that is refreshingly honest.

 Her debut album Heartache on the Run released in 2001 features many of Nashville's top session musicians, but avoids the studio-sterile pitfalls and conjures more of an authentic band vibe. The song of surrender, "Me and My Heartache On The Run", was penned with Academy award nominated songwriter Gwil Owen and won the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest held at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC and joins past winners Gillian Welch and Lost Highway records signee Tift Merritt as alumnae. Toni's music was soon championed by music industry critics and mainstream press who raved at her unique ability to create graceful, unguarded and simply memorable songs that have no time or genre restraints. Heartache on the Run received rave reviews here and in the UK, and attracted fans within the industry. While living in Nashville, Toni opened shows for Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Chicago. She self-financed and recorded her first CD,  Heartache on the Run  in Nashville with producer Preston Sullivan.  It caught the ear of promoter and producer Billy Block, who asked Toni to be on his independent label Western Beat Records.   From the momentum of excellent reviews and CD sales this paved the way to more performances and recording. She’s been a featured performer at Austin’s South by Southwest, Nashville’s Americana Conference, the Americana stage at Fan Fair, Billy Block’s Western Beat Showcases and at Tin Pan South. She has been featured on NPR’s the Songwriter Sessions, BBC’s London Live, Ralph McLean’s BBC Ireland broadcast, and was a favorite of London’s Bob Harris of BBC radio. Toni has toured England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Crete, Greece and has opened shows in the UK for Tift Merritt at the Borderline in London, BR549, and Allison Moorer. Paul Fenn of Asgaard Promotions in London quickly recognized Toni's talent and has called upon her to open shows for some of the artists he represents.

 Toni’s recorded Uncovered in 2006 which was produced by the Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist/producer Doug Lancio (Patti Griffin, Mathew Ryan, Gretchen Peters) and Grammy-winning songwriter, instrumentalist/producer Thomm Jutz (Nanci Griffith, Kim Richey, Sally Barris).  Toni co-wrote songs for her CD with notable songwriters, including Marcus Hummon, Duane Jarvis, Dave Coleman, John Kennedy, Warren Sellers, Walt Wilkins and Darin Pavone. Toni’s song "Deeper" was picked up by Grammy award winning producer, Bil Vorndick and was featured on Nashville wunderkind Jonell Mosser's CD.  Another cut off Uncovered entitled "Hallelujah" was picked up by rising Nashville star Misty Rae. Toni was represented by Matt Lindsey Music Publishing for many years in Nashville who also represents the songs of Lee Roy Parnell, Tony Arata and others.

 Rewind the years. A Vermont native, Toni grew up performing for guests around the campfire at her parent’s rustic Adirondack resort with her older brother Bruce on mandolin.  She started taking voice lessons at age 15 and sang in a high school musicals and an accapella group.  Intrigued by the "California Sound" of the 70's she studied the arrangements and vocal stylings of her idols Bonnie Raitt,  Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks and Shawn Colvin. Following graduation from St. Lawrence University in upstate New York, Toni heard the call of the west and moved to Aspen, Colorado. Toni quickly formed a duo with Jamie Rosenberg, and soaked up the vibrant music scene. Born with a love for travel and other cultures she soon felt the tug of Los Angeles where many of her singer/songwriter idols got their start so at 23 she headed further west to completely immerse herself in the California music scene. She took a job at the famous Complex Recording Studio, owned by the legendary recording engineer (and inventor of the parametric equalizer) George Massenburg and Greg Ledanyi, Jackson Browne’s producer. This gave Toni unprecedented access to many artists and she experienced all aspects of the songwriting and recording process while she continued to hone her own craft. This was a turning point in her career where Toni realized she wanted to immerse herself in a music program so she enrolled herself in the Musician's Institute of Los Angeles. After graduation she spent a year working for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado and it was there that she met the likes of Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas and Shawn Colvin, and learned that much of the music she loved was coming out of Nashville.  So she packed up her car & guitar and headed to Nashville where she lived for 13 years.

Toni has since moved back to her home state of Vermont where she continues to write songs, perform, pitch her music to other artists and travel.