Ladytoni and Nate

BY: Kathryn Potvin Publisher of The Good News Paper thegoodnewspaper@gmail.com

Toni Klughart is certainly no stranger to music. Teaching piano,
guitar and voice for twenty years, along with writing songs, she could
be described as an eclectic energy who once preferred to stand behind
her students achievements, but now has become a shining presence of
her own. Today, you can not only find Toni in the Marquis Who's Who
60th Edition, but while she continues to teach, she has now
officially added performer to her list of accomplishments.

Married and living in Atlanta, Toni had been teaching students for
years, but was feeling a bit lost wondering if this is indeed where
the Lord wanted her. She wasn't sure if she should continue on her
current path or if there was another calling up ahead for her.

In high school she had taken every music class possible then continued
on in college, receiving a degree in Associated Fine Arts; piano her
major and voice her minor. My teacher, Mrs. Eluhow said I should be
a concert pianist; Toni recalls. But she didn't feel that was part of
her journey.

In Atlanta, I'd pray; Lord you have always provided for me...but now
I don't know what to do. Asking Him to give her some answers. It
wasn't much long after when He did.

I got a call from the John Lennon Song Writing Educational Tour Bus*
and was asked if I would be interested in getting three students
together to compile a CD or video at their mobile recording studio
coming to Atlanta. Toni states. She said yes, of course, but had no
idea at the moment how much this decision would affect her future. It
proved to be the answer she had been searching for; when she boarded
that bus with her students and was before the recording equipment, she
was in awe.

I put those headphones on and it was so exciting to be a part of the
actual compilation process! More exciting yet was when she and the
three students were featured with the Tour Bus on CNN.

Toni decided she would check out the possible avenues before her and
sent an email to Cupid Records, but did not hear back from them. Not
discouraged, but keeping herself busy teaching, she began working with
one of her students, Kristen Hester-Fleming, on a duet, ‘The Prayer’,
written by David Foster & Carole Bayer Sager, and sung by performers;
Josh Grobin, Charlotte Church and Celine Dion. It was during that
duet performance that she heard one of the parents comment, ‘she can
really sing!’, Toni recalls.

2002 really came together for me --the Lord showed me the way.
She found a surprise audience after moving to Tennessee and while
performing at an open mic night in Lenoir City. A group of teens were
having a birthday party and when Toni took the stage they were
presented with a contest of sorts from their parents; Go eat pizza or
listen to Toni, they stuck around and listened to Toni and it gave
her the encouragement it took to venture onward!

Since then she has picked up the acoustic guitar for accompaniment and
recorded three originally written and composed CD's in Sparta at Dedah
Judd's recording studio. She has also started Klughart Music
Listening Room, much like open mic performances, the first Friday of
each month at 337 Burley Street.

Toni believes in doing what you can for the Lord, making Him her
priority. Toni and her husband, Chuck, a pastor, had started
El-Shaddai Ministries in Atlanta, assisting with the needs of the
homeless. When his motorized wheelchair sales position transferred
him to Sparta, they continued the ministry there, but instead focused
on the patients in assisted living facilities.

Toni spent many enjoyable years taking her students to perform for
patients in assisted living faclities. The people enjoyed it so much, and with
such a positive audience, it was also great practice for the
students, She stated.

Though not able to get out as much as they used to, with Chuck now an
Archbishop of Unity Catholic Church, and Toni's full calendar of
performing, working at her husband's office sixteen hours a week and
teaching in the afternoons, she still makes room to take her guitar
and go to the Alzheimer unit at Lifecare, all while being a home
schooling mother to five year old son, Nate.

Nate is on my last CD, and it is beautiful hearing him." Toni smiles
as we watch the darling boy play in the neighbor's yard. I am so
blessed to have Nate and my husband who both encourage and support me
100%!
Her husband also adds his talents from the Lord and does the
photography and graphic work for her CD covers.


Music has been a lifelong experience for her she explains, When my
sister and I were each in my mother's womb, she would play music to
us, promising all that would listen, that one of us would be a
musician one day. My sister became a talented dress-maker/seamstress
and I was the musician.

I asked Toni if she had any advice to share with TGNP readers that
would help them with their spiritual walk and listening to what the
Lord wants of us, and she offered this: Well, first --always listen
to your mom! She laughed. Then on a more serious tone; Never say
never where God is involved. I never thought I would be interested in
performing but found myself praying and asking the Lord for guidance
and He sent it in a way that alone I would have never found.
Speaking with Toni, I can see that she has indeed found a strengthened
faith and belief since opening her heart completely to trusting in the
Lord and it looks good on her!

Toni has recently played in Kingston, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and a
gallery opening in Atlanta, Georgia, where her mother had been selling
her CD's.. When I started performing at the gallery the audience sang
along with me! They knew my music from my CD's and especially enjoyed
‘God is Calling’. It was a wonderful feeling! Toni exclaimed.

If you are interested in hearing Tony, she will be performing on June
26th at the V.A. in Murfreesboro, and on July 31st at Eddie's Attic in
Atlanta, Georgia, and don't forget the acoustic open mic night the
first Friday of each month in Sparta.
Toni, keeping true to helping others, will in October, be joining
‘Beans, Rice & Jesus Christ’, a homeless outreach program in Guthrie,
Oklahoma where her family will be ministering to and providing needed
items to the homeless. along with performing.


If you would like to find out more, please go online to
www.toniklughart.com

*http://www.jlsc.com/bus/<br /> - Kathryn Potvin: The Good News Paper

“Check out the 'Shooting Star' of the month(NOVEMBER2005). Folk Christian Music by
Toni Klughart and her Demo CD "Mary's Arms'". Toni also has recorded some traditional Christmas songs for the season. Check it out!”
(www.bladesofblue.com) - Mark Bee of Bouton Beach Studios