Looking back over three decades of music, Toni Childs feels a lot of gratitude.
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The American-born singer/songwriter, who has called Australia home since 2012, says she's fortunate to be supported in her work and make connections all over the world.
"For me, I really wanted the long run," she said.
"I wanted to be able to have a career where I would be respected by my peers and I could have the courage to be as honest as I could and use my music as a way to make sense of the world, come what may.
"In doing that and making that decision, it certainly has shown me I'm not alone in how I feel."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Childs will bring her 2019 retrospective tour to Albury and Wangaratta in April and May, celebrating 30 years since her debut album Union in a concert that will include both fan favourites and an introduction to her new music.
The Emmy winner and three-time Grammy nominated recording artist has produced songs such as Don't Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin' and I've Got to Go Now.
Childs told The Border Mail singing and creating music had always been a way for her to deal with issues.
"I have the ability to just allow words to flow out of my mouth spontaneously because I'm feeling it," she said.
"Kind of like a waking dream, it's just pouring out of me.
"I learned a long time ago when I was making my very first record that what comes out in that way is much more powerful than if my ego sits down and says I'm going to write about this thing."
But that power seemed lost during Childs' struggles with Graves' Disease, which paused her career.
"Don't feel sorry for me, not very many people get a decade off and go to the beach every day with their dog," she laughed.
"But I was walking around not being connected to myself.
"I really felt lost, I didn't think I'd be making music anymore, I really was floundering.
"I was in a beautiful spot to flounder, nevertheless my spirit was very low."
Discovering the causes behind her symptoms saw her health improve.
"I'm like rocket fuel now," Childs said.
"I've, let's say, done my phoenix, burned to ash and now revitalised."
The retrospective tour will help fund a future project, It's All a Beautiful Noise, an interactive evening of music, storytelling and 3D mapped visuals to encourage people to protect the world's pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds.
"Our past can seed our future and that's what's happening with the retrospective and I love that," she said.
The Lowdown
WHAT: Toni Childs Retrospective
WHEN: Albury Entertainment Centre, Sunday, April 7, 7.30pm; Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Thursday, May 2, 7.30pm
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