Being one of the last people to know is what I get for now scouring through the wrong weekly column of the Austin Chronicle since her departure was announced in April. Then I discovered it this week with her yard sale ad. Unfortunately, I can’t make it because I work Saturdays and it’ll be over by the time I’m done. I would’ve loved to have her sign one of my numerous CDs, probably the one she hooked me with, 1995’s Hey featuring the song “Tumbleweed.” A fitting tribute for my family’s pattern of moving from city to city in the Eighties.
Toni has been an Austin fixture for 15 years (or more) performing at the Continental Club every Tuesday afternoon. To me, she was always one of the city’s best kept secrets that didn’t leave town for a bigger contract, have one hit and could never follow up once the Record Industry was done with her; see Fastball, Abra Moore, Reivers and Dangerous Toys. I will readily admit, Toni’s music may not be interesting to the bulk of my friends but it was her voice which always stood out and made my enjoy her material.
I hope her new career in San Diego goes well and my only regret is taking her Tuesday shows for granted. In my 12 years of living in Austin, I never got off my butt to take a Tuesday off to see her for that exclusive purpose.