Bozeman Magazine

Karla Bonoff has always had a passion for music, evident in her early commitment to songwriting at age fifteen.

As a teenager in the 1960s, she spent her days hanging out at the legendary Troubadour. It was a breaking ground for many artists who went on to great success, such as Jackson Browne, James Taylor and Elton John.

In addition to forming the band Bryndle in the late 60s, Bonff has been associated with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd, Kenny Edwards, John Prine, J.D. Souther and most famously Linda Ronstadt. In regard to Karla’s music, Bonoff recalls Ronstadt saying, “Hey, you know that’s real good, what else have you got?” Karla was later signed as a solo artist to Columbia Records.

In 1990, she wrote the song, “All My Life,” recorded by Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, which went on to win the Grammy for Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Karla continues to perform all over America.

Her legacy as a writer and perseverance as a performer are spoken best in a Billboard Magazine review of Karla’s “All My Life” compilation recording:

“Long before Alanis and Jewel, there was a breed of singer/songwriters whose earthy anthems of soul-searching, heartache and joy touched souls in a way few can muster today.”