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Tracy Jane Comer



Last Updated: 5/20/2009

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Status: Married
City: MADISON
State: Wisconsin
Country: US
Signup Date: 4/11/2005

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009 

Current mood:  anxious
Category: Music
Howdy friends/fans. Here's a grab bag of unrelated items...

(1)
I'm saying goodbye tomorrow (Wed. March 25) to my thyroid gland.
Prayers or general positive vibes appreciated. I'll be in the hospital
overnight but if all goes well will be home by Thursday evening and
enjoying some good drugs. I'm looking forward to watching some stupid
TV and working puzzles for a few days but will be anxious to get back
to working out and playing music as soon as I can.

(2)
I've got some songs on JANGO internet radio now - if you could check it
out, play a tune or two and give my songs a positive rating (assuming
you like what you hear) that would be super....it would help get me
more plays in regular rotation. If you are unfamiliar with Jango,
please check it out -- it's a VERY COOL internet radio station where
you can customize what you want to hear by creating your own "stations"
of your choice of artist, genre, etc. You can find my songs at this
link or click the JANGO logo at left:
http://www.jango.com/music/Tracy+Jane+Comer

(3)
THANK YOU to those who attended the Likely Stories CD release show or
have ordered a CD!! Likely Stories is a collaborative project with my
pals Nancy Rost and Dave Schindele -- some duos, some trios, a mix of
instrumentation (I played a good bit of cello!) with songs written by
each of us. If you missed all that -- the CD is now available for sale
online....click the CD image to get there or CLICK HERE.
You can listen to audio samples there to see if it's your cup 'o tea.
(More sales options and downloads through iTunes etc. coming soon!)

Peace,
Tracy


1:42 AM 
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Thursday, March 12, 2009 

Current mood:  animated
Category: Music
Likely Stories CD Release Show
March 21 (Saturday)
7:00 pm to about 9:00 pm
(doors open at 6:30)
Prairie Coffeehouse - Keyeser, WI


Intersection of County Highways C and DM
Keyeser WI 53532
(608) 846-4462
No Cover - Freewill Donations

Likely Stories is a singer-songwriter collaborative...we each perform some of our original songs in-the-round and back each other up with harmonies and various instruments.


Tracy Jane Comer (cello, guitar, vocals, bass, percussion for this show)
Dave Schindele (piano/keys, vocals, percussion)
Nancy Rost (piano/keys, vocals)

See our web site for more info and audio samples.

Full details about the show here:
http://www.tracyjanecomer.com/showinfo/2009-03-21lscdrelease.htm
7:27 PM 
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Sunday, February 15, 2009 

Current mood:jazzed
Category: Music

Get ready for Mardi Gras with a special night of JAZZ

and NEW ORLEANS THEMED CUISINE!


Hi y'all - I am not performing much these days but I DO have a very special  show this week to let you know about, for those of you who might be into JAZZ! (To get you into the Mardi Gras spirit.) I've had so much fun working with this great group of musicians putting this show together! Maybe see you there? It's a benefit show for a good cause (more below). Advance purchase of tickets is highly recommended as Ihear they are nearly sold out.
Best,
Tracy
----------------------
Dinner and a Show!

FRIDAY, February 20, 2009
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (NOTE revised times!)
Peterson Hall - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
5701 Raymond Road, Madison WI 53711

Enjoy a delicious dinner of fine traditional New Orleans cuisine (prepared byguest chefs) served to you at your table and enjoy a show byaward-winning musicians setting the New Orleans mood! Guest chefswill be preparing traditional dishes including Chicken Pontalban,Pralines, Cafe Ole, and Beignets.

While you enjoy your meal you will be treated to dinner music by Jim Cali (guitar), followed by a full show of jazz performed by a combo of award-winning musicians:

Tracy Jane Comer (vocals/guitar)
Hanah Jon Taylor (flute/sax)
Ben Johnston-Urey (keyboard)
Leif Madsen (drums)
Steve Kasprzak (upright bass)
& guest Randy Green (keyboard)

**** There may  be a dance floor as well so
wear your dancing shoes if you are so inclined! *****

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to defray the cost of the senior highyouth's trip to the ELCA National Youth Gathering this summer in NewOrleans. At this event, Good Shepherd's youth will join with 30,000other young Lutherans for worship, learning, fellowship and service.

Tickets: Purchase in advance -- at last report they were near sold out. Cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple; space is limited to reserve your tickets now. See THIS LINK for onlinesales or call the church at 608-271-6633.   
(Details also available at my official web site)


7:56 PM 
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008 

Current mood:  melancholy
I said goodbye to my longtime best friend (for more than 30 years), Mary Ann Kyles Ingram, on October 30, 2008. She lived with cancer for over 2 years. I say "lived with cancer," because that is exactly what she did.

She was just 45 years old, mother to six terrific children (ages 5 to 19) and a devoted wife. She packed at least 10 years worth of living into the last 26 months and was a wonderful role model to everyone for treating each day as a gift. She gave her all to her children, homeschooling them plus being a scout leader, dance coach, sports mom (basketball, judo and more), and in providing them many opportunities to make friends and explore all kinds of activities from piano lessons to Gavel Club to designing computer games. And she and her husband have raised their children in a very faith-centered household as well. Her children have thus been empowered to live up to their full potential with confidence, honor, dignity, and compassion, and with a sense of balance.

I was very fortunate to be able to visit Mary Ann frequently during her illness, so a blessing for me has been in getting to know her children better and forming bonds with them. It was an honor and a privilege to be with her family, around her bed, when Mary Ann drew her last breath.

Another blessing has been the opportunity to learn from Mary Ann's example. The last 2+ years have been a time of much reflection for me in terms of examining priorities and looking at issues of life balance.

I lost another good friend in May to a tragic murder, and my grandmother passed away in July. Now there are others very close to me with serious health concerns. So, more reason to reflect and prioritize. Spending time with my loved ones is definitely a priority to me now.

Consequently, I have made a decision to change the nature of my musical life for the indefinite future. This decision is to allow me to heal emotionally and physically from the effects of an increasing lack of balance and a blurring of life vision in the last several years, since beginning my career as a singer-songwriter. Sadly, the nature of independent music in today's world requires a 24/7 effort in marketing plus a plethora of other tasks and details and trivialities that do not involve picking up an instrument or singing. For me, that leaves far too little time for music, let alone for other things in life.

I will always have music in my life in one form or another, even if just in my living room. But for me, making music a "business" has removed the joy and steadily drained my creative energy. I applaud those who are more energetic (younger!), or have the resources to accomplish the marketing and booking work via outsourcing. There are many fine artists out there who enrich our world with great music.

I appreciate the strong support I have had from terrific fans at live performances and through Internet sites and music sales over the years. I may record and publish some new material for digital release in the future and may perform from time to time in informal settings but I am not seeking bookings and will probably not be updating websites/profiles regularly.

Peace,
Tracy 
2:16 PM 
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Saturday, October 04, 2008 

Current mood:  cheerful
OK, so it's official, I have the proper "bio" for a real musician these days. I am in rehab. Yup, me and Amy Winehouse, we be tight.

NOT.

Well, OK, so it's PHYSICAL rehab, for my back, so maybe that doesn't count and won't get me on A&E. (For the record, I do not use drugs of any kind, I don't even like over-the-counter stuff, and rarely even drink, so I'm guess I'm too boring for this biz.)

As for my back...A few of you kind folks have been asking. I have some sacroiliac joint dysfunction, apparently, which has been a bit of an ongoing issue for a couple of years and put me into spasms in early August. After a bunch of expensive tests and a lot of radiation exposure, anything really nasty has been ruled out (yay!). I have found a great chiropractic/rehab clinic (Healthsource in Fitchburg WI) that is helping me get past this. So, thanks to Dr. Stacy and Dr. Dean, and also to my exercise therapist, Beth, I hope to be back to 100% before long, and even hope to resume belly dancing classes soon. (TMI?)

I highly recommend chiropractic if you have back problems!!

While we're on the topic of alternative health...let me put in a plug also for ACUPUNCTURE and herbal remedies for nasal congestion - from allegies or colds or whatever. I had a really rough time last winter and spring with what is apparently just "nonallergic rhinitis," meaning I have a fussy nose for some reason that is easily irritated by things that don't bother most people. I could not breathe out of my nose for about 3 months, but allergy testing and even a CAT scan revealed no apparent cause. After reluctantly trying all kinds of things and medicines suggested and prescribed by doctors (ENT, allergist, and regular doc), I was still hopelessly clogged. Desperate, I tried acupuncture, and after the VERY FIRST visit, with needle treatment and a couple of relatively inexpensive herbs, my nose was dry as a bone within an HOUR after that. I kid you not - it was nothing short of a miracle and sure made a believer of me. I had a few more treatments and now if I start sneezing or clogging up (I have learned that there are chemical triggers, like FeBreeze), I take a single capsule of one of those herbs and that takes care of me for days. Problem completely solved. No inhalers, no steroids, and no antihistamines daily as the docs were saying I would need -- just one little green herb capsule maybe once a week.

I promise I do not get kickbacks from any alternative healthcare providers. Those who know me know that I am NOT a fan of western medicine and I have had more of doctors and tests this year than I ever wanted to have in a lifetime...all for nothing. The only 2 useful healthcare providers I have seen this year have been the chiropractors and the acupuncturist. Next time, I'll skip the "modern medicine" route!

Oh - music stuff...
I am mostly on hiatus and that has been largely due to the need to attend to my own health and reduce stress where possible, but also because I have been spending time with my dearest friends and relatives in the Carolinas. There are a couple of very serious illnesses among my clan down there, plus two deaths in recent months (a longtime friend in May, and my grandmother in July). The folks who are now ill are two of the most special people in my life -- my best friend since junior high, Mary Ann, and my Aunt Jane. These two beautiful women are the folks most responsible for my becoming a musician, and what I owe them on so many levels is immeasurable. If you are the praying sort, your prayers for them would be welcome.

I do have gigs coming in on FRIDAY OCTOBER 10 (Oregon Arts Festival, solo show) and in early DECEMBER (a Christmas concert, with Michael Bryant and Randy Green). Watch my site for details.

Peace,
Tracy 
2:40 AM 
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Saturday, August 02, 2008 

Current mood:  miserable
Category: Music
Hi all - When it rains it monsoons, huh??

First the BAD news...I'm so sorry to report that I injured my back (ugh) this morning, and am on bedrest for at least a few days...Hopefully it is just a muscle spasm (that's what they are treating it as). I will have some follow-up next week. But I'm rather immobile at the moment. So the upshot is that I have had to cancel our shows tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday). I am so sorry that you'll miss the chance to hear my fabulous colleagues, Michael Bryant and Randy Green, who were doing these shows with me.

But now the GOOD news...The shows go on!
(1) FRIDAY at Gov. Nelson State Park, the awesome acoustic duo of Amy Curl & Dan Kennedy will perform! It will be well worth your time, so head on out.

(2) SATURDAY for Folk on State - The fabulous and fun-loving duo of Small Potatoes will perform both sets (1:00 and 2:00) instead of just playing the 2nd set.

Thanks a bunch to these musical pals for keeping things rolling...please go, and bring friends!!! Details for these shows are still posted at my site, at http://www.tracyjanecomer.com/Gigs.htm

OTHERWISE: As mentioned in an earlier blog, I'll be on an indefinite break from performing for a while now (starting a couple of days sooner than expected!). I do have one appearance on September 13 as part of "Country Cornucopia" at Art in the Barn (Fitchburg, WI) supporting Nelson Graham, so maybe I'll see you there? Otherwise...please continue to support local indie music!

Peace,
Tracy
5:00 AM 
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008 

Category: Music
Hi y'all - FIRST...A reminder about this Saturday's show (July 19) in Cambridge, WI with my good pals Michael Bryant and Randy Green. It will be an evening of variety and fun instrumentation including my new electric cello, which I play standing up with a shoulder harness (tons of fun). You can be among the first to answer the question, "Does this cello make me look fat?"
Advance reservations are highly recommended...See my web site for details (tracyjanecomer - dot - com)

I am going to be taking a long break from performing, after my Sept. 13 appearance (see below). I have a few things on the schedule until then, but otherwise have canceled shows and touring plans for the near future. Life throws big curveballs sometimes, and right now I have some personal and family matters to put first in my life.

The Likely Stories CD will still be released, hopefully by mid-September...I will post news about that when there is definite news. Otherwise -- See my schedule for my final shows for a while. Full details are at my web site.
Peace,
Tracy
5:37 AM 
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Tuesday, July 08, 2008 

Category: Music
Related shows (3-way collaborations):
  • July 12, 2008 - Likely Stories performing at Project Lodge in Madison, WI
  • July 19, 2008 - Tracy Jane Comer/Michael Bryant/Randy Green performing for Hanson House concert series, Cambridge, WI
  • August 1, 2008 - Tracy Jane Comer/Michael Bryant/Randy Green performing at Gov. Nelson State Park in Madison, WI
  • August 2, 2008 - Tracy Jane Comer/Michael Bryant/Randy Green performing for "Folk on State," Madison, WI
  • Late summer or early fall: CD RELEASE PARTY to be scheduled for LIKELY STORIES debut CD!
____________________________

"3 is a Magic Number" seems to be the recurrent theme in my musical world. I have been privileged to be part of some very fine trios and 3-way collaborations over the years, and in the coming weeks I have shows involving a couple of my active collaborations.

A group of 3 can mean several things; for instance, it can be a group with one frontman who has a couple of sidemen playing along. BUT, the type of collaboration I like best is when 3 individual writers each contribute songs and get together to work out arrangements. This way the audience gets to hear each participant's music and result can be a very satisfying diversity.

As a multi-instrumentalist, I particularly enjoy these "in-the-round" style collaborations (i.e., trading off the lead) because it gives me a chance to play different instruments -- like lots of cello, some dulcimer, keyboard, sometimes fiddle etc., and I play some different styles of guitar as well including some lead lines and even some electric guitar. I thrive on variety, and I get that by combining forces with other writers.

Here are highlights of current collaborations (ones with upcoming shows):
  • LIKELY STORIES -- Collaboration with Dave Schindele and Nancy Rost (plus myself of course...)
    [See www.likelystories.us for more]
    We are all "solo" artists with our own performing schedules, but try to perform as a group every few months and we get together fairly regularly to play. We have been working together for a couple of years and actually have a CD that will be coming out very soon!
    In this collaboration I sing (lead and backing vocals) and play guitar, cello, sometimes melodica, piano, fiddle; Nancy sings and plays piano; and Dave sings (lead and backing vocals) and plays piano and hand drums.
    Both Dave and Nancy have very sophisticated and musical styles with superb lyrics -- they blow my mind with some of what they come up with. Folks who enjoy music as much for the poetry of the lyrics won't be disappointed. With Dave's music I often think of Carole King, Stephen Sondheim, Burt Baccarach and sometimes Peter Gabriel. Nancy is well versed (pun intended) in many styles and her music often takes on a jazz flavor. She often incorporates humor (overt or subtle) and/or outright zaniness...Nancy is full of great surprises!
    I count these two colleagues among the best writers I know. I have been very pleased with the arrangements we come up with together. From my standpoint, I get to make much use of the cello in both "regular" (bowed) and bass (plucked) roles, and their music is wonderful to play cello with....so much so that I decided to buy an electric 5-string cello recently to expand my sound capabilities and increase the bass-playing capabilities (with the added low string).
  • Tracy Jane Comer/Michael Bryant/Randy Green -- This is an unnamed entity, but it follows the pattern of "in-the-round with collaboration." This group is myself (guitar, cello, vocals) with two of my longest-term musical colleagues, Michael Bryant (guitar, vocals, bass), former frontman for now-defunct group Sticky Fingers, and Randy Green (keyboard, guitar, vocals), who often performs as supporting artist with me but who is a musician/writer in his own right in addition to being my producer, manager, and co-writer. Again, this combination brings a lot of diversity to the table and lets my try out some different instruments and instrumental styles.
    Michael has an unforgettable voice, smooth as silk and reminiscent of the late Dan Fogelberg, and he writes wonderful and very memorable, infectious (in a good way!) songs. Michael and I were both part of former trio Sticky Fingers and have also done duo shows with him a number of times. Michael works by day as an audio/video software specialist with Sony Digital. Randy, who owns/runs Randy's Recording in Cottage Grove, has started writing again and performing some of his own material lately (after a break of many years) and so we have been working his songs into our duo act and also featuring Randy on lead vocals for some covers. Randy often brings a welcome levity to my shows with his distinctive style of humor, and that humor is reflected in some of his original songs as well. Other times his writing is philosophical and deep (not surprising if you know Randy).
    I think what we do together offers a pleasingly balanced "musical diet."
So - I plan to do more with these and other collaborations in the future...and hope to see some of you at upcoming shows!
7:56 PM 
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Saturday, June 21, 2008 

Category: Music
OK, just for you guitar enthusiasts, I have finally posted the first full tablature file of one of my pieces. I started with "Movin' in the Right Direction" since that is the one I have had the most requests for. Others will follow, starting with more instrumental works. Let me know if you have a special request for any song's tab and I'll put it in the queue.To download the file, visit my website at http://www.tracyjanecomer.com (there is a link on the home page right now).
(NOTE: This piece requires both a full capo and a partial "Esus" capo...otherwise the tab will make no sense.)
Next in line: "Riffles and Runs." Or, let me know if you'd rather see something else up next instead! 
5:16 AM 
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Thursday, June 05, 2008 

Category: Music
For those of you who are musicians yourself...I have posted a mixed bag of scores and chord charts for some of my songs. See the MUSIC page of my official web site (www.tracyjanecomer.com) and follow the link at the top for the LYRICS page. Later this year I plan to publish guitar tablature for my instrumental pieces plus some vocal tunes as well. Let me know if you would like a chart or more info on a song!
8:38 AM 
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