Robin Tracy: “On Our Small World: Status Update”
Robin Tracy, female songwriter and musician, recording artist, and session guitarist. First started playing professionally at 16, joined the all-girl band, “The Female Revolution” in Baltimore in 1971. Playing heavy style rock back then like Santana, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix. Later joining “Hollins Ferry” and forming “Streetwalker” Her guitar style would be a combo of (with all due respect to the originals) Eric Clapton, Lindsey Buckingham, and Neil Young. She recorded her first album on Rocket Records in 1972 titled “Krackers”, and her second album in 1980 on LaGrange Records titled “Men and Women”. In later years, she recorded with, and played with many popular musicians and bands including Robin McNamara of “Hair” fame. She currently resides in the Tampa bay area of Florida.
Since my last report on March 2, 2009, I’ve now been on Facebook for a couple of months, and I’m still amazed at the old friends and acquaintances I’ve connected with. In my previous article, I wrote about what keeps me in awe of the technology available today and that it’s allowed me to become friends with some of my idols in the music industry. I’ve had discussions with Bob Dylan, Bob Geldoff (Live Aid), Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, Arlo Guthrie (Alice’s Restaurant and son of the legendary Woody Guthrie), Ace Freely from KISS, Belinda Carlisle (the Go Go’s). Lita Ford, Patti Austin, Kate Bush, Suzi Quatro, Patti LaBelle, Reba McEntire, Nicole Ritchie, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Suzanne Vega, Paula Poundstone, a dozen movie stars, and many more. I’m even ‘friends’ with Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey)! I know it’s not in good taste to name-drop, but I do so only to illustrate what a truly small global world we live in today.
We’re lucky to have some very talented female musicians in our very own back yard. I’ve re-connected with my former music partner Leslie Kille, who’s just returned to the area from Savannah, Georgia and is playing her blend of jazz and classical music on the ProSuzy circuit and elsewhere. Some others include Lorna Bracewell, Lisa Noe and Pam Green (Karmic Tattoo), Deb Hunseder from Halcyon, Kelly Neff, Judy Tampa, and others. All told, in just these couple of months I have 600 people in my list of friends!
Another fantastic tool for us musicians is ReverbNation (similar to MySpace). I highly recommend this to all of my musical friends. On it, you can upload your songs and sell them there as well as on ITunes! I uploaded 17 of my tunes, and in just one month I’ve had almost 5,000 plays between it and MySpace, putting me in 5th place in the Florida area in the Pop music category! If you want to see it in action, visit me at http://www.reverbnation.com/robinerintracy . If you need help with getting your tunes on there, feel free to contact me there or on Facebook or at http://www.myspace.com/robinerintracy or email me directly at Robin_Guitargirl@yahoo.com and I’ll help you get it set up. It can make a very big impact on your career. Anyway, that’s just my opinion, and I’m sticking to it! See you all in the funny papers ~ Robin
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Robin Tracy / Blog
You Gotta See Veronica Eden!
For those who like really excellent music, you need to visit her new website. You'll LOVE the new Retro Jukebox Player! http://www.veronicaeden.com
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RVN Has Some Real Strange Band Equity Procedures!
About 3 or so weeks ago, I had a band equity of about 240. I've had about the same number of visits, number of plays, a bunch more widget hits, yet each day I've lost equity!!! I'm now at about 90 or so... where did the other 150 go???? I think I'll just stop watching and let it fall down to 0. Then I'll see where I'm ranked.
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Robin Tracy: "Performing Arts" - Leslie Kille
Robin Tracy: “The Joy of Music With Leslie Kille” I had the pleasure of seeing and interviewing Leslie Kille at her performance at the Sunset Grill recently, and a fine time was had by all! She'll have her newest CD out around November (Title: “Cover of the Clouds”), and if you like jazz/show tunes/Michael McDonald, kd lang or Amanda Marshall, you'll love seeing Leslie! I had a great time as Leslie pulled songs out of the air like the drop of a hat, and could stop mid-song to deliver a quip that added a nice touch to her connection with the audience. Kille has a full-time career as a psychologist, but still finds the time to write and produce marvelous music. Her voice reminds me of Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls, and she uses it to flow between bluesy Rickie Lee Jones styles and back… with a high falsetto ala Bonnie Raitt. When she did “It Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, it gave me chills! Same with “Up on the Roof”, the Carol King classic, and everybody was singing to “I’m a Believer”! One of my favorites of the evening was “Constant Craving” by kd lang. Leslie’s original tune “Freedom” was as good as anything Rickie Lee Jones ever did, and her hands were pounding the keyboards like she had 2 extra… her left hand holding down a driving bass line while her right flowed across the keys playing a remarkable solo. That’s talent, pure and simple. Born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and reared throughout the United States and Vietnam as a military brat....she started playing and writing music at age 5 on a backyard swing set. In Alaska, Leslie began singing/writing for churches and this continued in Maryland, Colorado, Oklahoma and Florida......at the age of 13 she had her first 'band' and has been hooked on the gift and life-giving world of music. Ms. Kille has played venues from Washington, Boston, Canada, New York and the Tampa Bay area. Her roots stem from jazz to classical styling through a consummate keyboard style on piano, synthesizers and pipe organ. She has shared the stage and ran sound for Lisa Koch, Tret Fure and Chris Williamson from the Lighted Tree adventures and The Friday Morning Musicale Theatre. Ms. Kille has musically directed theatre productions from 42nd Street, Jacque Brel, Suessical the Musical, and the likes of Once Upon a Mattress. Ms. Kille recently migrated to Florida from the Savannah area blending her talents in downtown jazz clubs, wineries and private clubs. She has recorded three album projects – Storm, Moving Closer, and Loosely Sane (with Barb Brown of the Women’s Blues Review on alto sax), full of sultry vocals, driving keyboards and saxophone compositions. Their moving ballad "Art of a Whisper" has been a regular track in the Top 10 of MP3.com's Jazz Vocals charts. Check out their new CD "Loosely Sane", available at CDStreet.com. On a sad note, Barb is in need of some medical care and is unable to perform at this time. Look for more info on Leslie’s website regarding a possible musical bash/fundraiser. Leslie also founded the Looking Glass – serving at-risk populations through original works and the blended talents of countless friends and the sage wisdom of many mentors. The Looking Glass directed by Leslie Kille has also released two major projects – look for another concert in 2010. LESLIE KILLE: STORM (1991) LESLIE KILLE: MOVING CLOSER (1992) LESLIE KILLE/BARB BROWN: Loosely Sane (2009) Leslie and company are available for your private venue on land or sea, festivals, weddings, private parties and celebrations. She will add a diamond touch to your special celebration or community based events. Check out her WEB page at www.lesliekille.com linked to MP3 and CDStreet. Contact her for more information: info@LeslieKille.com
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Robin Tracy: “Performing Arts”
Robin Tracy: “Performing Arts” I’m very happy to begin my series on female performing artists, musicians, and songwriters. This regular column will concentrate on female artists in the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas of Florida, and will include both the local talents, of which there are many, as well as visiting artists including such notables as Belinda Carlisle, Lita Ford, Patti Austin, Kate Bush, Suzi Quatro, Patti LaBelle, Nicole Ritchie, Britney Spears, Nancy Wilson, Suzanne Vega, Paula Poundstone, and many more. These articles will be in-depth profiles of the artists including biographies, photos, discographies, concert dates, and reviews. I’ll also try to keep you updated on the gear and instrumentation they use, as well as their major influences that got them started on the road to performing. This will not be limited to lesbian artists, but will be open to all female musicians in an effort to promote the talents and contributions of women in the field of music. It is my opinion that women are too often ignored or relegated to the 2nd tier as performers and musicians. In the coming weeks, I will be writing about my former music partner and friend, Leslie Kille, who’s just returned to the area from Savannah, Georgia and is playing her blend of jazz styling and classical music. Soon after, I’ll be talking to a woman who I’ve had the pleasure or working with and have admired for over a dozen years, Lisa Noe of Karmic Tattoo. And that’s just a start! My own original music is available at http://www.reverbnation.com/robinerintracy where I’m currently in 2nd place in the Florida area in the Alternative music category. You can also visit me at http://www.myspace.com/robinerintracy or email me directly at Robin_Guitargirl@yahoo.com . Please contact me at any of my email addresses or directly by phone so that you can have your talents recognized. I would like to be at your upcoming shows as soon as possible so that I can interview and photograph you at work, be it at a show, in the recording studio, or even rehearsal. Yours in music ~ Robin Tracy robin_guitargirl@yahoo.com http://www.reverbnation.com/robinerintracy http://robintracy.wordpress.com/ http://www.myspace.com/robinerintracy http://www.facebook.com/people/Robin-Tracy/1408481076
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To All Female Performing Artists, Songwriters, and Musicians:
To All Female Performing Artists, Songwriters,Musicians: As I have given up performing live concerts, I have moved to a new area of the music arena. I will be working in conjunction with Suzanne Noe of ProSuzy.com in writing about female musicians in the local and surrounding areas of Tampa Bay. These articles will be in-depth profiles of the artists including biographies, photos, discographies, concert dates, and reviews. This will not be limited to lesbian artists, but will be open to all female musicians in an effort to promote the talents and contributions of women in the field of music. Suzanne has agreed to publish these articles as an ongoing column on her website. It is my opinion that women are too often ignored or relegated to the 2nd tier as performers, songwriters, and musicians. Please contact me at any of my email addresses or directly by phone so that you can have your talents recognized. I would like to be at your upcoming shows as soon as possible so that I can interview and photograph you at work, be it at a show, in the recording studio, or even rehearsal. Yours in music ~ Robin Tracy
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Robin Tracy: It's a Small World!
Robin Tracy: “On Our Small World: Status Update” Robin Tracy, female songwriter and musician, recording artist, and session guitarist. First started playing professionally at 16, joined the all-girl band, “The Female Revolution” in Baltimore in 1971. Playing heavy style rock back then like Santana, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix. Later joining “Hollins Ferry” and forming “Streetwalker” Her guitar style would be a combo of (with all due respect to the originals) Eric Clapton, Lindsey Buckingham, and Neil Young. She recorded her first album on Rocket Records in 1972 titled “Krackers”, and her second album in 1980 on LaGrange Records titled “Men and Women”. In later years, she recorded with, and played with many popular musicians and bands including Robin McNamara of “Hair” fame. She currently resides in the Tampa bay area of Florida. Since my last report on March 2, 2009, I’ve now been on Facebook for a couple of months, and I’m still amazed at the old friends and acquaintances I’ve connected with. In my previous article, I wrote about what keeps me in awe of the technology available today and that it’s allowed me to become friends with some of my idols in the music industry. I’ve had discussions with Bob Dylan, Bob Geldoff (Live Aid), Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, Arlo Guthrie (Alice’s Restaurant and son of the legendary Woody Guthrie), Ace Freely from KISS, Belinda Carlisle (the Go Go’s). Lita Ford, Patti Austin, Kate Bush, Suzi Quatro, Patti LaBelle, Reba McEntire, Nicole Ritchie, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Suzanne Vega, Paula Poundstone, a dozen movie stars, and many more. I’m even ‘friends’ with Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey)! I know it’s not in good taste to name-drop, but I do so only to illustrate what a truly small global world we live in today. We’re lucky to have some very talented female musicians in our very own back yard. I’ve re-connected with my former music partner Leslie Kille, who’s just returned to the area from Savannah, Georgia and is playing her blend of jazz and classical music on the ProSuzy circuit and elsewhere. Some others include Lorna Bracewell, Lisa Noe and Pam Green (Karmic Tattoo), Deb Hunseder from Halcyon, Kelly Neff, Judy Tampa, and others. All told, in just these couple of months I have 600 people in my list of friends! Another fantastic tool for us musicians is ReverbNation (similar to MySpace). I highly recommend this to all of my musical friends. On it, you can upload your songs and sell them there as well as on ITunes! I uploaded 17 of my tunes, and in just one month I’ve had almost 5,000 plays between it and MySpace, putting me in 5th place in the Florida area in the Pop music category! If you want to see it in action, visit me at http://www.reverbnation.com/robinerintracy . If you need help with getting your tunes on there, feel free to contact me there or on Facebook or at http://www.myspace.com/robinerintracy or email me directly at Robin_Guitargirl@yahoo.com and I’ll help you get it set up. It can make a very big impact on your career. Anyway, that’s just my opinion, and I’m sticking to it! See you all in the funny papers ~ Robin
Reply