Toni Klughart

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www.thegoodnewspaper@gmail.com

Published on 5/29/2007

By Kathryn Potvin Publisher of The Good News Paper

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, "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. "It isn't me --it's all God." If you would like to find out more, please go online to www.toniklughart.com



Article Credits and References

*http://www.jlsc.com/bus/

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