Mother's Day Song, Milwaukee Appearance May 11, Jazz EP, and Wild Heart shows

Here's a hodgepodge of stuff...


Mother's Day dedication (free download for a period of time):
http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=11908&mediaID=71374
(free download there plus lyrics/info etc.)
This is one of the first songs I ever wrote/recorded - from my CD Second Wind.

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Show Tuesday night May 11 in Milwaukee - CHICK SINGER NIGHT!
Caroline's, Milwaukee -- 8 pm shart start time [Click here for full details]
I'll be part of a showcase that will also include Carmen Nickerson, Shae Fiol, Katie Beth, Annie Denison, Nora Collins ("chicklette"), and director, Alaria Taylor. We will all be backed by the incomparable CSN band (The Rockin' Roosters) and will provide backing vocals for each other on some tunes. This is always a total blast!
If you' re in the area please plan to come - being an out-of-towner, I could use some folks to cheer me on. If you know folks in the Milwaukee area please encourage them to come! It's 7 performers for the price of one!

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JAZZ EP on the way!
Randy (Green, of Randy's Recording) and I just finshed mixing/mastering an upcoming EP release featuring 7 jazz tracks...5 standards and 2 originals. This project came about as a result of a special show I did last year as a fundraiser for Good Shepherd church's High School Ministry, helping them raise money for a youth conference in New Orleans in summer of 2009. More info coming soon....shooting for July or August release!

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The band I recently joined, WILD HEART (country Top 40), has lots of shows on the schedule for 2010 including these in May: Bratfest (May 28), Country Corners in McFarland (May 29), New Glarus Community Festival (May 30). Lots more beyond that! In this 5-piece group I play guitar, keys, and fiddle and sing (backup and some lead). We perform several shows every month and it's always a blast. See any of these links for the full band schedule and dust off your dancing boots:
* http://www.wildheart.ws/
* http://wildheart.fanbridge.com/tourdates/
* http://www.madtownlounge.com/members/profile.asp?id=380

Peace,
Tracy

Shows for late Feb & March

Show schedule for late February & March 2010

Friday night (Feb. 26), Madison: Michael Bryant & Tracy Jane Comer as opener for James Keelaghan
Madison Folk Music Society concert. In addition to featuring the fabulous James Keelaghan, this show is a rare opportunity to hear Michael Bryant perform. I'll be supporting Michael on cello, hammered dulcimer and backing vocals for the opening set.
Full details in nifty printable form: www.madfolk.org/eventpages/2010-02-26jameskeelaghan.htm

March 4, 5, 7: 3 of Cups shows in Minnesota
See www.3ofcups.info for more information on this fun collaborative project with Rachel Nelson and Michael "Stix" Kiley.

March 11: "Unplugged" Songwriter Showcase in Lake Mills, WI
Madison Songwriters Guild Event, in-the-round with John Crossman and host Rich Baumann.
Full details in nifty printable form: http://www.tracyjanecomer.com/showinfo/2010-03-11msg.htm

March 19, Madison: Dinner and a Show with Tracy Jane Comer & Friends - Special fundraising event at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison. The performing ensemble will include Tracy Jane Comer (vocals, guitar, fiddle, dulcimer, bass), Michael Bryant (vocals, guitar, bass), Randy Green (keys, guitar, vocals), Tom Dehlinger (dobro), plus Delores Jenison and Carol Hulland (backing vocals).
Advance reservations recommended - last year's event sold out. Watch www.tracyjanecomer.com or www.gslcwi.com for reservations info soon

Also....

The band I recently joined, WILD HEART (country Top 40), has many shows on the schedule for 2010 including shows March 13 (Portage, WI) and March 20 (McFarland). In this 5-piece group I play guitar, keys, and fiddle and sing (backup and some lead). We perform several shows every month and it's always a blast. See any of these links for the full band schedule and dust off your dancing boots:

• http://www.wildheart.ws/
  
• http://wildheart.fanbridge.com/tourdates/
• http://www.madtownlounge.com/members/profile.asp?id=380

Peace,
Tracy

Duo show Jan. 14 (with Randy) plus WILD HEART band shows

This new year brings some exciting new things!

First, I have a duo show with Randy Green and also special guest Steve Doiel (pictured) on Thursday (Jan. 14) at The Brink Lounge in Madison. We'll be in the comfy lounge and will keep it casual, trading songs during the evening. Steve (of Janesville) is long known for his skills as a vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist. He has played with The Rodeo Cats, Feather River, The Stateline Playboys, Harmonious Wail, Swing Crew, and 18 seasons at Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells. He currently plays with The Bel-Cats and the Steve Doiel Trio.

This weeknight show starts at 7:00....come relax for a while with us and enjoy some great drinks and appetizers at mine & Randy's favorite local venue.
Details:
http://www.tracyjanecomer.com/showinfo/2010-01-14brink.htm

Now the big news -- I have joined a Madison area band:
WILD HEART!

There's a nice article by a local paper about how this came to be: http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=27892

This 5-piece Top 40 Country band exploded onto the music scene in 1993 when right out of the gate they won pickoffs, battle of the bands, played festivals and shared the stage with national acts such as Ricky Van Shelton and Hal Ketchum. Since then, they have traveled the state to become a regional favorite on the festival stage and are equally comfortable performing for community events or at the local hang out. As Wild Heart performs some of today’s hottest Country hits you will hear amazing 3 and 4 part harmonies that you normally expect to hear only at large venues.

I've been rehearsing with the group for a few weeks and having a great time learning the material and making music with these fine players and singers. You can read about the group and the individual members at http://www.wildheart.ws/

My first outings with the band will be Saturday January 16 at Country Corners in McFarland(east of Madison) and Wednesday January 20 at Quaker Steak and Lube in Middleton. I'll be on lead and backing vocals for the first couple of shows and then will be adding in some guitar and keys for future gigs. Bring your dancing shoes...uh...boots!

For details on these shows and more see these URLs:

http://www.tracyjanecomer.com/Gigs.htm

http://tracyjanecomer.fanbridge.com/tourdates/

Or see the Wild Heart site for many shows scheduled for 2010:
http://www.wildheart.ws/

Peace and blessings to you all in 2010!

-Tracy

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.)

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!

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.

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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.

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