Tonya Wood is a soulful singer and acoustic guitarist. A native North Carolinian, with a passion for music. She was raised in a musical family steeped in traditional Bluegrass. Tonya started singing her first solo in her Grandfather’s church at age 6 and thought everyone, everywhere played music in their homes and porches on Friday and Saturday nights. Blues, Soul and Rock are what moves her and she contributes her passion for singing this genre to listening to her Mom’s favorite music growing up from Patsy Cline to Al Green then flavored by her older brothers rock collection of Molly Hatchet, Led Zeppelin, & Boston.
After a move to Chattanooga, TN, she studied Communications and Broadcasting with aspirations of making music videos, but found that making the music was a lot more enjoyable. Upon returning to NC, Tonya began singing in numerous local live bands, learning from her performances and then jumped on the opportunity to tour with R&B great, “Tommy” Marcel Evans from the original Drifters, on the Hotel and Casino circuit from 97-98, traveling from the Gulf coast throughout the Midwest. She has shared the stage with other legendary musicians, including Denise LaSalle, Clifford Curry, and Gary Puckett & Union Gap.
In 1998, Tonya went to South Korea to perform for the 8TH US Army MWR (Moral, Welfare and Recreation), the entertainment division of the USO, where she performed at all area post including crowds as large as 15,000, also performing several times at “Just Blues” the only Blues Bar in South Korea. Tonya received a letter of Appreciation from the Commanding General of the Theater and numerous Certificate of Achievements awards. Once home from Korea, she fronted for various local bands, and toured the southeast with the R&B recording Artist Billy Scott and his band The Party Prophets during a brief leave of absence by his lead Vocalist & Partner Cindy Floyd.
From 2010 to 2014, Tonya fronted regional touring rock band ‘Sista T & The Smokin’ Section. She has been on WSIC’s “Uprising with Rockie Lynne”, and has recorded demo tracks for likes of Lynne, STSS, Outlaw 21, and other local bands at Tone Studio’s in Statesville as well as Ghost Unknown in Charlotte. Tonya was also honored performing at the ‘Purple Heart Homes’ benefit for disabled veterans at Charlotte Motor Speedway Coca-Cola 600 Honor Tower She is also on regular on WAME 92.9 Morning show with Billy Buck Blevins, Little Toe and Frankie show & Finally Friday shows supporting various events such as SCAN "Stop Child Abuse Now" of Iredell County for the Annual Diva's Night Out, Friday after 5 Summer Concert Series, Pumpkinfest, Art Crawl & Wine Walk all in support of downtown Statesville's thriving live music scene. She intends to finish writing and recording her debut CD with an anticipated release in 2020.
You can find her performing live at regional shows as an acoustic solo artist and collectively in combos ranging from duo to full electric band.
Tonya sings for the stories she hears from the audience, the memories and emotions the music conjures up within them. Music helped her find her niche in the world and has been her love affair all her life. She believes music is art, it is poetry, it is a novel and brings people together in unity for the duration of a melody. There is nothing like the feeling she gets on stage when the light come up and she hears that first drum beat go down, it’s on, it puts her in her own zone and she knows she is exactly where she is supposed to be.
