..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 debut album Heartache on the Run released in 2001 featured many of Nashville's top session musicians, but avoided the studio-sterile pitfalls and conjured more of a band vibe. Heartache on the Run received rave reviews here and in the UK, and attracted fans within the industry.
Toni’s songs reflect her strong and independent nature, yet also convey a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that is refreshingly honest. The song of surrender, Me and My Heartache On The Run, was penned with Academy award nominated songwriter Gwil Owen and won the 2001 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest held at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Toni joined the prestigious alumni category with past winners Gillian Welch and Lost Highway records signee Tift Merritt . With the accolades she’s received lately, Catlin may soon follow Welch and Merritt into the spotlight.
A Vermont native, Toni grew up performing for guests around the campfire at her parent’s rustic Adirondack resort. Inspired by artists such as Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and others, Toni moved to Nashville to focus on songwriting. As an independent artist paving her own path, Toni has achieved a lot in the last few years, she has opened shows for Shawn Colvin, Steve Earle, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Chicago . 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 on NPR’s the Songwriter Sessions, BBC’s London Live, Ralph McLean’s BBC Ireland broadcast, and is a favorite of London’s Bob Harris of BBC radio. Toni has toured England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland four times 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 is also a fan of Toni’s and has called upon her to open shows for some of the artists he represents.
Toni is currently finishing up her follow up CD being produced by the Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist / producer Doug Lancio (Patty Griffin, Mathew Ryan, Gretchen Peters) and Thomm Jutz . Some of the songs on the new project are ones co-written with talented writers like Marcus Hummon, Duane Jarvis, Dave Coleman, John Kennedy, Dana Cooper, Warren Sellers, Walt Wilkins, and Darin Pavone . Toni’s song No Stoppin’ This Heart recently attracted the attention of Australian Producer Michael Landers and will be the first single of one his emerging artists.
Toni has also been a regular featured artist on Girls with Guitars, the popular monthly singer-songwriter showcase held in Nashville where artists like Mindy Smith and Mary Gauthier have also graced the stage. Her song Undertow is on the first Girls with Guitars compilation CD released recently.
Matt Lindsey of Matt Lindsey Music in Nashville who represents the songs of Lee Roy Parnell, Tony Arata and others is currently working with Toni to try and place her songs in film and Television, as well as with other established artists.
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