Recent Fan Review of "It's All Coming Back to Me Now":I just had my morning cup of java listening to "all coming back to me now".  There is something about this song that touches a cord in my heart...it's the whole parenting experience of living through the teen years...and surviving!...for whatever reason as i listen, a flood of memories come of raising my son...a tear or two...perhaps hormonal!!.. or as you say..."it's all coming back to me now".  Karen Sabo, a mom. July, 2009

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“Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements” is a Los Angeles based band.  The places they play over and over again are Kulak's Woodshed in North Hollywood, The Talking Stick (now in Venice,) Cafe Bellissimo in Woodland Hills, Hallenbeck's General Store in North Hollywood, The M Bar in Hollywood (LA/WIM Soiree,) the Cinema Bar in Culver City, etc.  Places they play on occasion are Russ & Julie's House Concerts, Mama Hillybean's, The Living Tradition Concert Series in Anaheim, The Verity Room (now the Guitar Merchant) in Topanga, Arnie's Cafe in Tujunga, Strings Music in Glendora, and many more. For their upcoming schedule go to www.tracynewman.com under "gigs."

Tracy has a long history in folk music, including having been a New Christy Minstrel for a New York minute (when she was in her teens) and playing places like McCabe's Guitar shop, the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach and the Bitter End in New York.  Here is information about Tracy's impressive television writing career:

From 1989 to 2004 Tracy Newman was a television writer and producer. She wrote with a partner – Jonathan Stark. Their first writing job was on the 10th season of "Cheers." After that they were on staff at "Bob" (starring Bob Newhart,) "The Nanny," "Hiller and Diller" (Richard Lewis and Kevin Nealon,) "Ellen" (Ellen Degeneres,) and "The Drew Carey Show." In 1997, they won the Emmy and the prestigious Peabody Award for co-writing the ground-breaking “coming out” episode of Ellen.  In 2001, they created the ABC comedy, "According to Jim," starring Jim Belushi, which is now finishing up its 8th and final season of production. Tracy left the Belushi show at the end of its 3rd season to return to songwriting and performing.

This CD, Tracy’s first -- “A Place in Sun,” features Tracy and singers Gene Lippmann and Lorie Doswell, (www.loriedoswell.com) otherwise called “The Reinforcements.” Gene also plays guitar on the CD. The three of them met in Harriet Schock’s (www.harrietschock.com) songwriting class. Tracy was singing alone in coffee houses and clubs around town, and Lorie and Gene would show up and sit in front and harmonize with her. Soon Tracy invited them to join her on stage, and they’ve worked together ever since.

Tracy talks about some of her songs:

"Laraine" – I wrote this about my sister, Laraine Newman from the original SNL “Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time” Players which also included John Belushi, Danny Ackroyd, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin and Garret Morris. If you're one of Laraine's many fans, and enjoy a bit of inside trivia, you'll probably love this song.

"A Place in the Sun" – Written after a trip to Palm Springs. My boyfriend and I stayed at a bungalow-type resort located on a quiet little street called San Lorenzo. (www.aplaceinthesunhotel.com) This little jewel was named A Place in the Sun after the classic 1951 film starring Liz Taylor and Montgomery Clift. It was built to house the crew while they were shooting some of the scenes. As the song says, you can take your dogs there – each bungalow has a private little backyard.

"My Kisses are Your Kisses" – My boyfriend and I wrote this after a fight. He actually said some of these things to me, my favorite quote being, “Don't flatter yourself...” I love singing this song.

"Waffle Boy" – The first thing I did after I left the Belushi show was go to Nashville and hang out for a while. One Sunday morning I went to a Waffle House next door to my hotel, and pretty much saw much of this story play out in front of me. In 2006, this song was one of the top five winners in the novelty/holiday category of the Great American Song Contest.

"Mama, I Know You Ain't Santa" – My friend, Lynne Stewart, came to me some years ago with most of these lyrics already written. (A little trivia about Lynne: She is “Miss Yvonne” – the most beautiful woman in Puppetland, from the amazing TV show, “Pee Wee's Playhouse.”) In 2005, this song won 2nd place in the holiday category of the Unisong Contest. We actually won $500!

Some words about Tracy by others:

Her melodies have an inevitable, yet not predictable quality which makes them pleasing on first hearing and better each time and then you can't get them out of your head. Her lyrics reflect a wry, unique and unusually refreshing viewpoint, a sense of irony that is present in great writing. And, of course, she's very smart, droll and likeable on stage, which helps. I know that's not a songwriting comment, but think back over all the performances you've sat through. The entire package of Tracy Newman is a delightful one. That's why she keeps getting invited to perform. (Harriet Schock-2005)

Very few songwriters ever attain the sheer musicality and elegance in their writing that is the common thread throughout Tracy's catalog of songs. A gifted writer with an understated, captivating performing style, she gives the listener a glimpse into a simpler, better, world...one song at a time. (James Hurley-July 2005)

For more detailed information on Tracy's career, or if you think you might have gone to school with her or something, go to www.tracynewman.com.