Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Re: Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Consider THERMOGRAPHY as screening tool

Since this is Breast Cancer Awareness month I feel compelled to post info to let women know there is a great screening tool available that is non-invasive and unlike mammograms, does not increase your risk of the getting the cancer it purports to detect - there is absolutely no radiation involved. It is also very cheap (I paid about $250 for a series of two tests done 3 or 4 months apart) so though not covered by insurance it is well worth the money to me. You can choose to have this study instead of or in addition to mammography - your choice.

The screening tool is Breast Thermography. Please Google it to learn more and you can also do searches to find a center in your area that does thermography. If I post any one particular article then someone might write to me with something to counter that particular one or try to discredit that source. There are articles on both sides of the issue of whether thermography is valid...everything I have read leads me to trust it far more than mammograms when all factors are considered. That is my personal decision and you may feel differently.

My reason for writing is just to get info out for women to follow up on in making their own healthcare decisions. The information we are spoon-fed by the mainstream ad-supported media is hardly a true and accurate picture and if you rely solely on that information, you cannot make informed choices.

I encourage you to read about thermography (and many other health issues) from a variety of sources and form your own conclusions. At the same time I challenge you to be very aware of the source of information for ANYTHING you read about healthcare, whether it is pro or con on any issue. Consider the profit motives. Also sites/media that are ad-supported, for instance (most of our mainstream media) are most certainly going to have slanted views because they cannot irritate their advertisers. (We do not have a true free press in our country.) The medical and pharmaceutical industries are the source of the biggest advertising dollars. (We are one of the only countries in the world that allow that type of advertising.)

If you are the sort that does still prefer to get info from mainstream media, here is a video that tells about thermography from network TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaS3VIyltJQ
(I think this is a pretty good video except that I personally disagree what they say at the end about encouraging women to still get mammograms in addition to the thermograms.)

Monday, October 5, 2009

Flu Vaccines - DON'T DO IT!

(This has nothing to do with music.)
If you are considering getting a flu vaccine or in particular a swine flu vaccine, folks, please think again. Do some reading. The vaccine is more dangerous than the flu and now even FOX news has folks on the air saying so.
Especially if you are a parent - please see this article. Do not risk harming your child with yet more dangerous vaccines.
Watch this video from Fox News
There is TONS out there on this subject and many many credible sources that are advising against the vaccine.
Increase your intake of Vitamins D and C and avoid processed foods during this flu season to boost your immune respons. Drink plenty of water and wash your hands often. But do not get this dangerous vaccine!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Show Schedule - Sept./Oct.

Hi all - After a long long long hiatus from performing I have some shows coming up! I'll spare you the shameless marketing lingo....you can see all the detail of any of these shows by clicking the related links. Suffice it to say that it feels soooo good to be making some music again, especially with my favorite collaborators. I really look forward to sharing that experience so hope to see some of you at these shows!

UPCOMING SHOWS (September/October - See web site for dates farther out)

Sep 26, 2009 - Saturday
Oregon, WI (US) - Art in the Barn

Michael Bryant & Tracy Jane Comer (duo) opening for Graham & Co. (Tracy will also join Graham & Co.)
This will be a rare and great opportunity to hear Michael's gorgeous voice and beautiful songs -- I'll be backing him up for this spot.
DETAILS | POSTER

Oct 2, 2009 - Friday
Sun Prairie, WI (US) - Higher Grounds Coffeehouse
(Hosted by Living Water Church)
Tracy Jane Comer & Friends
With very special guests as supporting musicians:
Delores Jenison & Carol Hulland (backing vocals); Randy Green & Field Stark (keyboards); John Driscoll (percussion); and Faye Bruggink (clarinet).

DETAILS
| POSTER

Oct 9, 2009 - Friday
Oregon, WI - Oregon Arts Festival

Tracy Jane Comer Trio (with Randy Green & Michael Bryant)
Opening events for the weekend festival.
DETAILS

Oct. 15-18, 2009
Mountain View, Arkansas - I'll be attending SERFA Convention (Southeast Regional Folk Alliance)

Performing as official showcase artist as part of
3 of Cups with my colleague Rachel Nelson

Oct. 30, 2009 - Friday
Madison, WI

I am not performing BUT I am helping to promote a HOUSE CONCERT for the fabulous JACK WILLIAMS.
DETAILS

WANT A REMINDER EMAILED FOR ANY SHOW, 2 DAYS IN ADVANCE? You can schedule your own show reminders a la carte - I do not send out show reminders so this will be my only email to you before these shows. To set up your own, access my show schedule HERE in this nifty format (thanks, FanBridge!) and click the "Remind Me" button for any show(s) that you want reminders for.

--------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE CONCERT -
COMMON TIME HOUSE CONCERTS PRESENTS JACK WILLIAMS (national touring artist now based in Arkansas)

Date: October 30 - show starts at 7:30 pm, doors open 6:45 pm
Jack is one of my all -time favorites and is one of the best guitarists you'll ever hear. He writes wonderful songs delivered with humor, honesty, and insightfulness....and as a South Carolina native he does so with a southern wisdom and kindly charm. And I can think of no better way to enjoy Jack's performance than in a house concert. I'm helping to organize this...My pals James and Sarah graciously offered their lovely home (and new addition perfect for house concerts!).
Click here for full details
and to find out how to RSVP. If you've never been to a house concert you're really missing out -- it is *the* best way to experience acoustic music from fine songwriters -- up close and personal.

Friday, August 21, 2009

RIP Aunt Jane

RIP Jane Geddie Stephens
8/13/1946 to 8/14/2009

Jane was my aunt and my life hero, who enabled me to become a musician and did more for me than I could begin to recount. And I am just one of the many lives she touched.

Jane had requested a song be played on CD at her Celebration of Life service..."Wayfaring Stranger," a traditional tune recorded previously by one of my side projects, Sticky Fingers, but not yet published on CD. A number of folks have been asking about the song. I have uploaded the song temporarily for anyone who wants to play or download it:
http://tracyjanecomer.com/MP3/WayfaringStranger.mp3

More related links:
Obituary

Legacy page where folks can leave comments

Peace,
Tracy

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Thyroids, radio, and CDs

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

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Likely Stories CD Release Show March 21

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, or to order a copy of the CD.

Or
click here for an MP3 that contains short samples of all of the tracks!

Full details about the show here:

http://www.tracyjanecomer.com/showinfo/2009-03-21lscdrelease.htm


The CD will be discounted to $10 for all who attend the show!

Monday, February 9, 2009

Get ready for Mardi Gras with a special night of JAZZ MUSIC and NEW ORLEANS THEMED CUISINE!

Dinner and a Show - Jazz Night

When: Febrary 20, 2009 - 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm (NOTE revised times!)
Where: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - 5701 Raymond Road, Madison WI 53711
Enjoy a delicious dinner of fine traditional New Orleans cuisine (prepared by guest chefs) served to you at your table and enjoy a show by award-winning musicians setting the New Orleans mood! The guest chefs will 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, followed by a full show of jazz performed by Hanah Jon Taylor (flute/sax), Tracy Jane Comer (vocals/guitar), and Ben Johnston-Urey (keyboard) with Leif Madsen (drums), Steve Kasprzak (upright bass) and guest Randy Green (keyboards). This is an all-star cast of award-winning musicians!

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

Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple; space is limited to reserve your tickets now. See THIS LINK for online sales or call the church at 608-271-6633.