Tony Hoeppner’s journey into music started with his first guitar lesson at six years old. By age seven he was part of the, “The Cliff Dwellers”, a four-piece band with leopard vests and Gilligan hats, a fashionable wardrobe at the time. He was quite a site in this outfit as he dragged his towering amplifier into music halls and various other venues. Through his childish eyes, he thought the group was pretty good and dreamed of playing in a band forever. Through Middle School and High School Tony got his wish and played in about every band in Lexington, MO. He played in and Through his teen years he felt it couldn’t get any better than this, but as he matured the excitement started to fade and gradually, without even noticing, one day his music was gone. He had let it go, got a job, got married and had children. While he was mastering the field of parenting his own father passed away. By this time he was far away from his roots both physically and mentally and found it was impossible to grieve. He turned to the only thing that had sustained him for so many years. He picked up his guitar and wrote a song to help him deal with his loss. This re-introduction to music spoke volumes to his soul, and he knew he could not lose it again. Through the years his music took many twists and turns and before he knew it he had run his life, especially his faith, off into a ditch. Being raised in a religious environment It was at this time Tony’s wife, Suzanne and her minister decided it was time Tony came back to his faith, beside the church needed a praise band for worship and would be thrilled to have a guitar player with Tony’s experience. With his wife and minister’s encouragement Tony Hoeppner found his musical niche -- Christian music! He started writing from emotional pools that he did not know existed. He helped form the band, Mixed Blessings and started experimenting with his writing on the church congregation. The more they liked and responded to what he was doing, the more he wrote finding himself totally comfortable doing Sunday mornings and not expecting anything more then that. Then one day Tony’s life was changed forever, he was diagnosed with cancer! Just the emotions of the diagnosis and with it the fear of the unknown and of course death, got him writing more, and his emotions . The writing helped him cope with chemotherapy and radiation, and all of the physical challenges that came with it. With the pragmatic examination of his life and his mortality, he realized that if he died all of his music would go with him. Staring death in the face he decided he was not leaving before he left his children and wife a legacy – his music. Plus, he knew he probably would not get to know his grandkids. What a great way for them to meet him and maybe get to know their grandpa. He then sought out producer, Max Berry and, Lynn Allred owner of LA Audio recording studio. With their patience, talent, guidance and friendship, the CD “The Battle Inside Me”was created. What a wonderful expression of Tony’s love of God and his place in the world. For the time being, Tony’s health has allowed him to continue to play with Mixed Blessings, as well as create new music. He has a second CD planned and will continue his journey through life, with music and his belief that God will carry him through this difficult time.