By Tonya Wiley
Stories Worth Reading.
Songs Worth Singing.
Meet the Storyteller
I'm a marine biologist by profession, a storyteller by passion, and a country music lover for as long as I can remember.I've spent much of my career on and in the water studying sharks and rays, working to save endangered sawfish, and collecting more stories than I ever imagined I'd have time to tell.Then one day, my friend Jen said something to her husband Greg that sounded like the perfect title for a country song: “Kiss me before the whiskey!” I sat down to write one song, and somehow ended up creating an entire family, a collection of interconnected stories, and a whole new creative adventure.Now I write country song lyrics, books, and stories about love, heartbreak, family, forgiveness, and all the beautiful, messy moments that make us human.And because I haven't completely abandoned my first love, Amazon royalties we receive from Kiss Me Before the Whiskey is dedicated to supporting endangered smalltooth sawfish research, outreach, and conservation.When I'm not writing, you'll probably find me working on something involving sawfish, listening to country music, or enjoying a glass of red wine while dreaming up my next story.
Stories Worth Reading. Songs Worth Singing. Sawfish Worth Saving.
Books & Songs
Every song tells a story. Some stories deserve a whole book.From heartfelt country lyrics to unforgettable characters, my writing explores love, heartbreak, family, forgiveness, and the unexpected moments that change our lives.What began as one country song has grown into a collection of stories, with more adventures still to come.Stories Worth Reading. Songs Worth Singing.
Before the Whiskey: An Anthology in SongOne family. Many voices. A lifetime of love, heartbreak, and second chances.It started with a simple request: “Kiss me before the whiskey!”But behind those five words was a story waiting to be told.Before the Whiskey: An Anthology in Song is a collection of interconnected country song lyrics following one family's journey through love, loss, regret, forgiveness, and the moments that bring them together.Told through the voices of the people who lived it, each song reveals another piece of the story. Together, they create something bigger than any one song.Paperback Edition Coming Soon!
Country Songs & SongwritingA little heart. A little humor. And occasionally a little whiskey.I've always loved country music for its ability to tell an entire story in just a few minutes.My lyrics are inspired by real conversations, personal experiences, unforgettable people, and the occasional idea that simply refuses to leave me alone.Some songs will make you smile. Some might break your heart. And a few might make you reach for that glass of wine.From tender ballads to sassy anthems, I write the kinds of stories that country music was made to tell.More music and songwriting news coming soon!
💚 Stories With a Purpose 💚Every love story deserves a happy ending. Every sawfish deserves a fighting chance.The royalties we receive from Kiss Me Before the Whiskey are dedicated to supporting research, outreach, and conservation of the endangered smalltooth sawfish.Stories Worth Reading. Songs Worth Singing. Sawfish Worth Saving.
Say Howdy!
Have a story to share, a song to sing, or just want to say howdy?I'd love to hear from you! Whether you're a reader, fellow lyricist, music industry professional, or someone who believes every sawfish deserves a fighting chance, drop me a note.[email protected]
Thank You
Your message is on its way!I appreciate you reaching out and will get back to you as soon as I can.In the meantime, keep reading, keep singing, and remember—every sawfish matters! 💚