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If you’re into betting, you may
want to put your money on Tonja, the sultry singer/songwriter
who’s paying her dues in Las Vegas in hope of
becoming “the next big thing” in music.
Born and raised in New York City, Tonja has spent the
bulk of her life honing her passion for singing. It
all started when her mother recognized her fascination
with music at a mere five years of age and fostered
that fascination by enrolling her in singing, piano
and violin lessons. She had been blessed with an enormous
head start, and Tonja took full advantage of it. After
years of hard work and sacrifice, she eventually sang
her way to Vegas, establishing herself by performing
in some of Sin City’s largest casinos and by landing
spots as a background singer for both Rebbie Jackson
of the world famous Jackson clan and the accomplished
Carl Carlton. Tonja also found herself performing before
audiences across the country as part of both the "Platters"
and "The Marvelettes" reviews.
After having lent her sultry soprano voice to performing
with cover bands and background singing, Tonja felt
she was ready to step into the spotlight and introduce
the world to the voice she had worked so hard over the
years to perfect. She was ready to sing from the space
of what emanates from her own heart. She say’s,
“I’ve had wonderful experiences singing
background and singing other people’s classics,
but I always looked at it as a platform and not a stopping
point. I, too, have something to say and God gave me
a beautiful instrument to say it with: my voice…”
With her mission being to make a name for herself as
a solo artist, Tonja began searching for the right opportunity
that would help her to realize that goal.
Fate led the humble-spirited, but confident songstress
to a chance meeting with EJ and Tammy Hinskton, of SWAT
Productions Entertainment, who saw in her what her mother
saw and encouraged: a talent and passion for singing
that had the potential to touch souls. And it’s
no surprise that the Hinsktons recognized soul-stirring
qualities in Tonja’s voice, as her musical role
models, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney
Houston, couldn’t have spawned anything less.
“I was always listening to artists like Aretha
Franklin when I was a little girl. Not only was their
music pleasing to the ear, but it also made me feel
good on the inside. That’s why I chose to remake
one of Aretha’s songs, Natural woman, for my record;
it seems to capture how I feel when I’m singing,”
she reminisces. The chance meeting with the Hinskton’s
would ultimately lead to production of Tonja’s
debut CD, ‘Tonja’.
Under E.J. Hinskton’s direction, the S.W.A.T.
team worked with Tonja to carefully craft a sincere
set of songs for the CD that would complement her subtly
sexy voice, as well as capture her desire to touch souls
with her music. She poured her passion and relentless
years of training into her self-titled debut and the
outcome was something for which many of the power players
on the Vegas music scene have vowed their support. The
record boasts songs, many of which she wrote, that melodically
capture the highs and lows of love, and it throws in
a couple of bangin’ party cuts to round out the
pensive set. ‘Tonja’ has something that
everyone can relate to.
With belief in herself and her incredible talent, a
new CD in stores, and a strong stable of support all
working in her favor, Tonja has a sure shot at attaining
the big payout of realizing her wildest dream of becoming
that next big thing in music…
Tonja ...
Listen to her songs from the debut album
"Tonja: Right Now"
1. R U ready
2. Ain't nuthin but a party
3. Right
now
4. Ladies
5. Sick N tired
6. Give
it to you
7. Close my eyes
8. Tell
me now
9. Negativity
10. I'll B OK
11. Natural woman
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