TONI
Toni Menage had her first hit at age 14 under the name “Little Toni Marsh” on Prism Records. The song ”Video Burnout” is now recognized as an international dance classic. She was nominated for an R&B Music Association Award with her MCA records hit “I Want Your Guy”. She performed her hit on the rhythm & blues awards as the finale of that awards show backed by a choir of stars including Bobby Brown, Cameo, Dionne Warwick, and Jocelyn Brown just to name a few.
Toni has the distinction of being one of a handful artists, like Syreeta Wright and India Arie, to peek the interest of Stevie Wonder. With the greatest songwriter of the 20th century as her mentor, she recorded on Tamla Records and performed as an artist on Stevie’s elite roster of talent. Toni is an original member of the multi-platinum band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (Columbia Records). The band’s smash hits include “I Wonder if I Take You Home” and “All Cried Out” and many more.
Toni recently stepped up as part of Lisa Lisa's management team in partnership with Bobby Dee Presents and Uncle Snoops Army. She also serves as the musical director on the tour.
Toni has toured the world as a recording artist and has appeared and performed on just about every national television show including The American Music Awards, The Joan Rivers Show, The Rhythm and Blues Awards, The World Music Awards, Club MTV, The Arsenio Hall Show, and Soul Train. She can be seen in the Unsung documentary for Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam on TVone as an original member of the legendary group.
Besides creating her touring band SoDisrespectful!, Ms. Menage is also the visionary and owner of an event band company, Project Orange Music. Toni has created a template for freshness in the live music industry in general.
In 2017 expanded Menage Works Inc into an all out full service entertainment company. She now manages a small camp of amazing artist specializing in everything from dance & fitness to actors and vocalist. In Toni’s vision there are no limits to where Menage Works Inc can take the world of entertainment! Stay tuned..
Interview with Toni
You and your band members play everywhere from underground Village hot spots to Madison Square Gardens, TV shows and Award ceremonies. Why play weddings?
There is something unique about being part of a couple’s biggest day. There is such joy in that moment. We are musicians and we love to play great music. But the thrill you get from harnessing the energy at a wedding and making the experience unforgettable – that doesn’t get better than at a wedding. You cant touch it.
Yes, we perform all over, from underground venues in the village to Madison Square Garden. Each performance is thrilling in its own way. But a wedding has another dimension and gives us the opportunity to truly make a difference and touch the hearts of two individuals who have fallen in love.
Most recently, Maroon 5 captured this in their video Sugar, when they surprised different couples with impromptu performances. The pure joy and love of that day is unrepeatable. You don’t get that anywhere else. It captures everyone, all ages from tiniest bridesmaid to greatest grandmother!. As a musician the reward is immense. as a band, it feeds our energy and fills the room turning the evening into THE BEST PARTY EVER.
I'm surprised you don't do more weddings. Why is that?
We limit the number of weddings we do because we want to give a very personalized very attentive service. You can’t do that if you have one tomorrow and the day after and the day after that – that’s what gets you cookie cutter formulaic performance. Exhausting and unrewarding. We like to prepare, rehearse the new songs requested and make sure that we are bringing exactly what the bride and groom envision and then, we like to have the room to exceed their expectations. You simply can’t deliver our level of high quality, flawless performances if you are over committed.
There's a lot of stress and emotion in a wedding. Does that make it harder to do your job?
We have a lot of experience – both on and off stage. Weddings are complicated events. Weddings are emotional events. But that’s what makes them special. The father’s dance with the bride. That moment is a one time thing. After that things are never the same. These powerful moments are rare in life. We get to be a part of it. Its beautiful. Its precious. We understand that and we give it our all. We know how much it means to the couple and their family.