Born into a strict Apostolic faith, Braxton’s earliest musical influences came from gospel; singing in the local church with her four sisters and operatically trained mother. After her parents changed faith, Braxton was afforded a wider set of musical influences and allowed to explore her vocal talents. After being discovered singing to herself in a gas station by songwriter Bill Pittaway, the Braxton siblings, known as the Braxtons, signed with Arista Records in 1990. The group’s debut single, “The Good Life”, arrived in 1990, though despite failing to chart, introduced Toni Braxton to the songwriting and production gurus L.A.