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Performer, vocalist, and songwriter Tracy Marie infuses her music with energy, enthusiasm, and eclecticism. She has been performing live on the Cleveland, Ohio, music scene for over a decade, including organizing the Breast Fest at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a benefit concert of female performers to help raise funds for breast cancer prevention.

In listening to her first two CD offerings, Sheik European Assassin Woman ©2000, and The One in the Sun ©2003, I found Tracy singing everything from hard-driving rock and roll to country, and even heartfelt ballads. She is in the process of working on her third release, tentatively titled True Blue. Tracy stretches her wings and infuses her new music with the soul of Chicago Style Blues, an ironic new love.

“My Dad is a long-time blues fan, but I always shied away from the blues in favor of pop, rock, and country. When an open-mike blues night started at a club down the street from me, my Mom suggested I check it out. I was reluctant at first, but it turns out I have a really good voice for the blues, and my fans really enjoy it when I sing the blues.”

She also gives a nod to roots music, with two new pieces being down-home bluegrass stomps. Now in the mixing and mastering process, the CD will be released later in 2008.

Sing to Your Babies
Speaking of her parents, Tracy Marie credits them for starting her down a musical road early in life. Encouraged to make music at an early age by hearing her parents sing, she was starting to make up her own songs at 9 years old. In fifth grade, Tracy played the lead in her school musical, Runaway Snowman.

Taken over by the rush she received from the cheers of the audience, she decided what she wanted to do with her life. She found that as a performer, she received stares and attention for a different reason than her severe limp, a result of congenital and spinal dysplasia.

Learn Your Lessons
Tracy studied piano as a youngster, but mentions she didn’t learn very much because of problems she had with attention. It would be later in life, around 19 years old, that Tracy recommitted herself to music. She took up guitar and was receiving what she termed “intensive private instruction” on the instrument, as well as piano. At around 22, she started making her way around the open-mike night scene in Cleveland. Now, 10 years later at age 32, Tracy Marie has opened for legendary artists and bands, including Heart, Incubus, David Allen Coe, and Tommy Chong. She has been invited to join in on live performances with Robert Lockwood, Stanley Jordan, Buddy Miles, Bobby Messano, and Ed King. These opportunities have been invaluable experiences that have shaped her as a performer.

Sharing Her Wisdom
I asked Tracy what tips and advice she had for those who want to break in to the music business. She shared her wisdom, insights, and experiences with me as a musician and a person with disability.

Back to School
“Back in 1994 I saw that the music industry was starting to move away from the major record label dominance and towards an accessible market for independent artists with the advent of new recording technologies and the Internet. I think in years to come, we may see music mostly available via digital downloads; CDs could even become a thing of the past. I learned web design and graphic arts at community college. I concentrate now on marketing myself through my website www.tracymarie.com and MySpace http://www.myspace.com/thelittlequeen page. I’ve found that most clubs book gigs through email now and don’t like to receive phone calls. I’ve been able to get some gigs in LA and NYC via the Web. I would definitely recommend aspiring musicians look into developing their skills with websites and electronic media.”

“I have also continued to improve myself as a musician. I studied music theory to a degree higher than what I will probably use with my own music, but it’s been invaluable to me in my songwriting and composing. If you’re playing or jamming with other musicians, you need a good background in theory to be able to communicate with them and be taken seriously.”

Listen to Your Audience
“Part of moving ahead with your music is evaluating where you are at. This comes from audience feedback and even from receiving criticism. You have to be able to take criticism in stride, because no matter how good you are, someone may criticize you. Don’t give up. Look at what you’re good at, but improve what you need to improve. If you feel good about what you’re doing and other people are feeling good about it too, you are on to something.”

“Another way I recommend to receive feedback is to search out local songwriting organizations. Hang out with like-minded people and share your music and songs. Get their honest feedback and listen with an open mind. You can also benefit by hearing what other people are doing. In everything you do, always give it your full effort. Even if you don’t make it big, you will have the peace of mind that you gave it your all.”

But I Have a Disability
Tracy has had both hips replaced and credits the surgeries with improving her mobility and limp. On a normal day, though, she has problems standing for more than 5-10 minutes before pain sets in because of the dysplasia and osteoarthritis. In spite of that, she prefers to perform standing, commenting that something about performing allows her to remain on her feet for an hour without feeling pain.

To accommodate her disability, she usually has an assistant or two help her with equipment and set-up for performances. She would rather pay for someone to assist her than let her disability determine what she can do. She does not want to compromise her music or creativity in this way. “I have more knowledge and understanding of life than what I would have without my disability. Friends of mine seem to grow sad as they get older and get arthritis or other ailments. For me, this is all I’ve ever known, and I’m still happy.”

Tracy states that she has seen both sides of the fence. Although there may be certain prejudices that exist against people with disabilities, especially as performers, she says there are prejudices against people because they look good too. Her disability is not always visible or apparent to people; she says that people have also doubted her abilities because of her perceived beauty.

“It’s all about your view and how you look at things. You can always think of reasons why you didn’t get a gig or a performance, but you may not know the real reasons. Don’t give up, and don’t let one opinion ruin you. Reject the rejections, and move on to the next person.”

The Songs
Tracy’s songs are primarily about her personal experiences, relationships, friends, and life. She has experimented with fictional songs; one entitled “All About the Family” includes a fictional daughter in the family dealing with the issues of being gay and suicide. As previously mentioned, the blues and participating in blues jams have become new influences for her.

Finding the Balance
Tracy says her disability limits her ability to manage a full-time job and work schedule. She finds that her musical career diversifies her opportunities for employment. Several regular gigs she has secured on a long-term basis keep her working pretty steady in and around Cleveland. If there is ever a time when she is feeling a bit run down or in pain with her disability, she can take breaks a little more frequently during the gig. Her audience loves her and understands. They just want to hear her sing the blues.