view larger image

Toni Price is Austin’s most beloved singer, bringing together the many styles the city is known for – blues, R&B, rock, country, folk and jazz – into a seductive and distinctive style all her own. As the L.A. Weekly raves, “Toni Price is one of those rare artists who reshape the language and vocal techniques of blues and country into something highly personal and unmistakably contemporary.” And now on Born To Be Blue, her sixth album, she continues to refine her sound with a masterful and seductive collection of blue-flame torch songs and charming country-folk tunes done in her inimitable fashion.

Produced with Derek O’Brien, Born To Be Blue features legendary guitarist James Burton (noted for his work with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ricky Nelson) and songs by Dr. John (a previously unrecorded number), Walter Hyatt, Oscar nominee Gwil Owen and even Mel Torme. It’s a warm and intimate collection that is as “smooth as Tennessee Whiskey,” to quote one of the songs, and with an across the board appeal to all sorts and stripes of music fans. As the Dallas Observer says, her music is “a gift to be savored,” and Born To Be Blue is a CD sure to be cherished by those who hear it.

Winner of “Musician of the Year” honors at the Austin Music Awards, Toni has played for a decade now to a weekly packed house of fans every Tuesday in her “Hippie Hour” shows at The Continental Club, winning the love of hometown listeners as well as admirers from around the world. A story on NPR’s Morning Edition featured the show and the Price phenomenon, which recently led to her being asked to perform at the celebrity-studded wedding of Julia Roberts. Back home in Austin, Price is as big a star as Roberts, and Born To Be Blue will surely win her new fans and praise everywhere.