TRACEY JACKSON

Interview 11 July 2002

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THEN THERE WAS TRACEY

DIFFERENT ? YEAH THAT'S WHAT I'LL CALL HER, DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE, SENSUOUS AND FINE WITH A BODY TO DIE FOR AND A VOICE THAT MAKES EVEN THE ANGELS SMILE. TRACEY'S HUMBLE YET STRONG PERSONALITY REACHES AND TOUCHES THE HEARTS OF MANY AS SHE SOFTLY WHISPERS SWEET SOUNDS OF LOVE WITH A VOICE TONE THAT WILL THRILL YOUR VERY SOUL. A SPIRIT LACED WITH SUCH WARMTH, BLISS, CHARM, AND SO MUCH LOVE IS HARD NOT TO TAKE A LIKING TO. IMAGINE TINA TURNER, A TRUE DIVA. DONNA SUMMER , DIANA ROSS AND A TASTE OF GOD MOMA WRAPPED INTO ONE AND TIGHTLY PACKAGED TO CREATE A NEW AND TRUE DIVA CREATED TO BRING PLEASURE, JOY, FUN, AND ENTERTAINMENT TO HEAL THE HEART. ONCE THE WORLD MEETS AND EMBRACES TRACEY JACKSON, THEY WILL FEEL THE SAME AS I. AND THEN THERE WAS TRACEY!

Tell me something about your background, where you from, where you are now, and the bits in between.

I was born in St. Thomas US Virgin Islands and raised in Toledo, OH. My music interest began as a child, playing the flute and piano and wanting to be a great singer one day, I continuously performed as a singer and musician from elementary school with band and choir, winning numerous contests for my talent, and high school performing in musicals as the lead performer gave me a sense of what it's about to be a legitimate artist in the industry. I 've opened shows for such national acts as: The Temptations, Buddy Hackett, and Lou Rawls. I'm also considered to be the number 1 Tina Turner impersonator in North America which is also an honor, that has taken me all around the country and abroad. Currently I'm promoting my CD as to which I am very excited about.

Performance has always been with you? Your mother was a dancer right.

Yes it has, as I know that I was born to sing and perform. My mother was an incredible tap dancer and would show me different ideas and moves that were awesome.

What was playing in the house? What are your early influences?

I heard a lot of jazz music around the house of such legends and idols as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Arthur Prysock, Grant Green, and Tony Bennett too name a few. My influences are Cynthia Girty who as my mentor is an incredible singer and writer/composer, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, and of course Tina Turner, and Chaka Khan.

You then studied at Ohio University, was that performance related..or was there a different career path. Any thing happening there?

No I studied business management and medicine with aspirations to be a nurse, but I was still performing and found that music was my niche in this life.

What happened then...how did you get to meet Cynthia, what kind of stuff were you doing at this time. Did you have a band or anything.

I received my Associate degree in business, and continued to sing with bands in clubs and functions . I met Cynthia thru a friend of hers by accident which was a God send, because at the time I was looking for a really good producer and manager and performing for conventions etc.. I did have a band that I was working with but I was ready to go to another level, to be a recording artist and Cynthia was my angel who is taking me there.

You have performed with some big names, what kind of stuff was this. Where did it take you and what was it like.

I've opened for Lou Rawls, Buddy Hackett, Nell Carter and the Temptations, which was fun and a great experience but took me no where as an artist.

Do you write your own material.

I'm currently co-writing with Cynthia who is a great writer and I've learned so much from her, and still learning.

Tell me about Cynthia and how she's helping you ..and what you expect to achieve.

Cynthia is my mentor friend, teacher and friend who has taught me about the business of music as well as the art of singing and embellishing what I have as a vocalist. Cynthia has her own songs out respectfully, and has worked and written for such artists as Gladys Knight, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, and Michael Jackson. Her work and artistry are timeless. I don't expect anything as it is in God's hands, but I hope to achieve the status as an artist the world loves to see and hear, because reaching out to people is what I love to do.

Tell me about the EP 'The Real Thing', how it all came together, who you used, is it a regular band, is it a precursor for an album, what stage are we at, what's the initial responses.

The Real Thing came together in increments as it was all the genious idea of Cynthia and her ability to write a song around me. We worked with Craig Lane (arranger) formerly with the R&B group One Way,and Anthony Jones who as a drummer and engineer has worked with various major acts in the studio just to name a few. It was'nt a regular band, only certain musicians were needed depending on the song. We've currently finished 5 songs which will eventually turn into a complete CD, but it was very important for Cynthia and I to take baby steps and not put just anything on the CD. The response since the completion of the CD has been incredible! I have'nt received a negative response yet, and if I did, it would be respected as everyone has different tastes in music, but I really feel that one would like something off the CD.

You've got different mixes, you covering the clubs and R'n'B. I don't like categories but where do you put yourself.

I guess I would say R&B/Alternative but I could cross over to Pop.

Are you gigging right now, what promo are you doing. Any word across the country or is it mainly local right now.

Yes I am doing gigs in Detroit, Canada and Las Vegas. We are currently sending out promo to people as influential as yourself and anyone that would possibly be able to help with my career and going to the next level.

What about the UK.. Ever been?

I've been to London briefly but only through the airport as I was going overseas, but I would really love to come and perform in the UK as I feel people would enjoy my show. And I also hear the UK is so beautiful.

What other interests do you have, what do you get up to

I love to exercise , and read with a great love of travel. I wake up to any music that's playing on the radio.

Anything else you'd like to add

Yes. I like to say thank you so much for your interest in me as an artist and allowing my music to be played. I thank God for people like you. And to the music fans in the UK. I'M COMING!

GOD BLESS YOU MIKE

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