TONE a.k.a The ONE Y

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Vocally blessed, spiritually adept, and focused only scratch the surface when it comes to describing Toney C. Smith, Jr., A.K.A Tone. This 25-year-old musical phenomenon might just be the best kept secret to come out of New Orleans since the Cash Money Millionaire click from the late 1990’s.Although his musical career spans little more than 10 years, its hard to believe that his love of music spawned from the pings and pangs he created by banging on his grandmother’s pots and pans with the branches he tore from trees near her house at age eight. At age 10, a winning dance performance in an elementary school talent show solidified his love of performing and sparked the creation of a singing group and a career with all the markings of an up and coming superstar.Tone’s ultimate inspiration is God and all his creations but he credits his mother as his biggest earthly inspiration. As a true music lover, his musical influences span several decades from the old with Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and BB King to artists like Al B. Sure, Anita Baker and Michael Jackson. He also cites current influences such as Omarion and Joe Thompson. Coming from a spiritually sound musical family, Tone was rooted in gospel and trained under his mentor New Orleans native and gospel great the late Raymond Myles. Armed with his expert tutelage, he continued his vocal development in a variety of performances including a three-week stint as the winner of the Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in New York City in 1995 and on a two-month tour in Japan where he warmed crowds for headliner Yoshi. He also cut his teeth as the opening act for legendary jazz guitarist George Benson, R&B sensations SILK, Motown’s Anthony Bailey, Jesse Powell, Goodie Mob and fellow New Orleans natives Cash Money Records.It wasn’t long before he was recognized by Righteous Records where he was signed in 1998 and 1999 then to Boston Family Records in 2000 and 2001. As if he hasn’t been busy enough, the multi-talented Tone also writes and acted in the lead role in the top-rated black gospel play “I Ain’t My Brother’s Keeper.”Now an independent artist, Tone has big plans for the future. He is currently working on his debut album “The One Y” that is sure to be a hit with audiences that know his style and those that will be introduced for the first time.