Mike, Carolyn and their daughter, Tessa, are from rural Northwest Missouri. They have been singing gospel music together for over twenty years. They began singing together following a miracle. Mike was instantly delivered from alcohol March 2, 1980, and God restored their family. Shortly afterwards, the Lord began to lead them on a path of music ministry.
Mike and Carolyn live on a farm where they raise cattle. Carolyn also works outside the home providing essential transportation for primarily the elderly. They have been married thirty-five years and have four children. Tessa is the oldest and has been married fifteen years. She and husband Andrew have five children.
Mike is the youngest of ten children and grew up listening to country music. His older brothers and sisters played guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolin and whatever they could get their hands on. Even though, they didn't have much money they managed to gather up several old instruments. His mother played piano and guitar. His dad sang and played guitar and French harp. Mike began singing and playing the guitar at a young age. His talents include playing a variety of instruments as well as singing and writing many of the songs that they sing.
Carolyn sings harmony and takes care of the booking for this family group. She grew up on a farm in Northwest Missouri with four other siblings, none of whom were very musically inclined. She was extremely shy and backward, and it was only through faith in Jesus Christ -- and stepping out in that faith -- that she was able to overcome her fear and let God use her in this family ministry.
Tessa sings lead and harmony with the group and is also a very talented writer. Tessa grew up listening to her dad sing and play guitar for hours in their home. This birthed a desire in her to sing at an early age. When she was just a small girl, Tessa would make a little stage out in the yard and, using a stick for a microphone, she would sing her heart out.
They began singing together in their church, then God began to lead them out to other churches and gospel sings. In the earlier years, they went wherever they could on a tight budget camping out in tents most of the time. It was at one of those Gospel sings in Pella, Iowa, on a hot July day that a man from the Nashville area approached them and told them they should come to Nashville and do some recording. They didn’t go then, but in the next couple years God began giving Mike some great gospel songs and Tessa began writing, too.
In 1999 they felt is was time to go to Nashville and record their first project entitled Holy Ghost Revival. It contains 10 songs that they have written. Their plan was to record an album to share with folks in their local area. But when their music got in the hands of some folks in the Christian Music Industry, they were encouraged to release a song to radio.
"Roses For Mama" was the first single released. It was written by Mike Toney and is a true story about his mother. It hit the charts and remained there for nine months. In 2000 it was among the Top Five nominations for Song of The Year with the Christian Country Music Association. Other nominations in 2000 included CCMA Top Ten Group of The Year and Top Five Country Gospel Music Guild’s Family Group of the Year.
The next release was "One More Time," which charted in both Christian Country and Southern Gospel charts.
The Toneys recorded a second album entitled "I Can't Wait To Get To Heaven." The title song was written by Tessa and reached #13 in the Power Source chart. Tessa’s son, who was nine years old at the time, inspired the song. He had been watching some news on TV and heard about some bad things that had happened. He said, “Mommy I can't wait to get to heaven." Tessa said that immediately the words started coming to her. In a short time the song was finished.
One exciting testimony concerning this song was from Cathy Coleman whose granddaughter Ashley began listening to the song and realized that she wasn’t ready to go to heaven. She asked her grandmother to tell her how she could be ready and grandmother led her to the Lord. Ashley then became concerned about her friend, who she (Ashley) later led to the Lord.
2001 Nominations included CCMA Vocal Group of the Year, CCMA Pioneer Award and Top Five CCMA Trio Of The Year.
"It Could Have Been Me" written by Tessa and her brother, Travis Toney, reached #2 on the January 2002 God's Country International Chart. It remained in the Top 10 on the Country Gospel Music Guild Chart for several months.
The Toneys also have a video, which contains four of their original songs. It has been aired numerous times on The Music City Showcase Program on Gospel Music Television. They have recorded their third album entitled Precious Memories, which contain 10 great classic songs.
2002 -- Nominations: International Country Gospel Music Association’s single of the year & group of the year, CCMA- Trio & Pioneer, CGMG-Trio of the year, Airplay International King Eagle Awards-Christian Group of The Year & Artistic Career Achievement Award.
2003 -- Nominations: Music City Gospel Showcase Television Program’s Favorite Mixed Group, CCMA Trio of the Year, CGMG Trio of the Year, CGMG: Mike Toney -- Pioneer (breaking new ground in gospel music)
2004 -- Numerous nominations from Country Gospel Music Association of Branson, MO.; Country Gospel Music Guild Trio of the Year.
2005 -- Numerous nominations with CGMA, Branson, MO and Trio of the Year with CGMG
2006 -- #1 song "Someone Stands By Me" God's Country International Chart and Trio of the Year CGMG
2007 -- ASCAP Award
Mike, Carolyn and Tessa are in awe at what God is doing in their lives and ministry and how He is able to touch people’s hearts through music. They love to sing and share testimonies of the reality and power of God that they have experienced. Faith in Him has changed their lives and they want to share the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ with the world!
Information Contact:
Email: TonyesMusic@live.com or Phone: 660-663-2815
