Tracy Grammer

Tracy Grammer grew up in a musical family.  When her dad played lap steel and electric guitars for the neighborhood kids, Tracy read the music upside down and turned the pages for him.  She developed an ear for harmony and hardly ever sang the melody.  At the age of nine, she began choral and classical violin studies and led regional and school orchestras until she left home for the University of California, Berkley.

At U. C. Berkley, Tracy gave up music while earning a degree in English Literature.  But, during a semester break, her father introduced her to Curtis Coleman, formerly of the New Christy Minstrels.  Coleman invited her to perform with him at local pub and coffeehouse shows.  Getting on stage with Coleman proved pivotal.  “Performing revived a part of me that felt like it had been dormant for eternities” Grammer said.  That fall she took up the guitar, dusted off her violin and began in ernest to hone her craft.

At a showcase in February 1996, just weeks after she had moved to Portland, Grammer saw Dave Carter perform.  “Here were stories that could stand alone as poetry, sung with compassion, intelligence, and a hint of Texas twang. Dave’s entire presentation felt like home to me. I knew instantly that I was in the presence of greatness; I knew I had received my calling in life.” They met on the way out the door, and within weeks were working up material with a band. They began touring in late 1997 and during the summer of 1998, recorded their first album, When I Go, in the kitchen of Grammer’s apartment.  Together, they produced three albums before Carter’s untimely death in 2002, two of them not released until after his passing.

Grammer now continues as a solo act and has released three recordings.  The Verdant Mile, a 2004 self-released CD about which Bob Feldman, President, Red House Records, enthuses "I've listened to Tracy's The Verdant Mile over and over and over again. This new collection of songs is simply stunning.”

The highly acclaimed Flower of Avalon was released in 2005 and at the end of the year was the #1 Most Played Album on Folk Radio across the U. S.  Tracy was the #3 Most-Played Artist on Folk Radio; the album was named #8 of the "Top 10 Albums of 2005" by WUMB-Boston and was nominated for Album of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year (Gypsy Rose) by the International Folk Music & Business Alliance Awards.

American Noel was released in 2007. 

“I love to listen to Tracy…really listen”  says Becky Grider, Winter Wind Chair.  “Her lyrics are significant and deeply expressive.  I play her CD’s in my car when I’m driving late at night…I know I won’t fall asleep…I actively listen to her.  Her show promises to be astounding.”

“Music for me is a language like no other; it is my channel of authenticity” says Grammer.  “I know I'd only be telling half the truth without it.” 
 
For additional information on this or other Performing Arts Studio programs, phone 405-307-9320.  Office hours in the Depot are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Tuesday through Friday and from 1:00 to 5:00 most Sundays. For additional information on Tracy Grammer, visit www.tracygrammer.com.

Winter Wind Concerts are made possible in part by grants from the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional funding comes from sponsors Tom McAuliffe of Don Cies Real Estate, Mark and Teresa Marsee of Avanti Skin Care, Therapy in Motion, and Nancy McClellan. Skye Diers of Gingerbread Nursery School, Becky Grider and Danna Primm also provide financial support.  Residence Inn by Marriott, Winans Fine Chocolates and Coffees, and Cafe Plaid provide in-kind services.