Tracy Rice
New to the US music scene, solo acoustic singer/songwriter Tracy Rice is fast becoming known for her powerful alto, no-holds-barred lyrics, and passionate delivery. Rice is a consummate entertainer, delighting first-time audiences with a blend of Canadian good humour, husky vocals, and some rock snarl. Her wide-ranging style is most often penned as "pop rock with country influences," but she's been described in various combinations of acoustic, folk, rock, pop, country, americana, and "blue-eyed soul". As an artist, Tracy's sound has been compared to Lucinda Williams, Melissa Etheridge, Michelle Branch or Aussie Anne McCue. Her latest album (July '08 release), is a gutsy folk pop collection that will stand alongside fellow up-and-comers Rachael Sage, Edie Carey, or Garrison Starr.
Tracy released her debut album in London, Ontario in 1996. Gaining a substantial regional following and press attention, she recorded a pop rock album called Out of the Light in 2001 with a competitive award from the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Recording (FACTOR). She's played NXNE, opened for Carole Pope, and receives regular play on southwestern Ontario and CBC radio stations. Tracy hit the international stage in 2002 when she opened for Terri Clark and won a 2003 Nashville Song Search songwriting category for her single, "Won't Leave You Behind." Two years later, she took the plunge and moved to Nashville to record her next album.
In early 2006 Tracy released a 5 song EP, Truth. Her goal was for a less electric sound and a different approach from her previous rock efforts. "I wanted to get a little more organic with instrumentation, and match it with my vocal style". The album definitely shows traces of Nashville production, in more than the addition of a dobro track. Australian fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel contributed acoustic parts on 4 tracks and the song 'Runaway Bay' was co-written with renowned Nashville songwriter Mary ann Kennedy, of 80's Kennedy Rose fame.
Reviewers of the Truth album note Tracy's ability to walk the line between rock and country, evoking characterizations of the love child of Melissa Etheridge and Terri Clark. Tracy, who played in a variety of bands growing up, appreciates the overlap between genres, claiming to be only as country as her childhood idols, the Eagles. The first generation Canadian daughter of Scottish and Barbadian immigrants, she embraces it all, from rock to reggae.
In Spring 2006, Tracy toured as an opener for Tommy Emmanuel. The following is a review from the Austin, TX show:
"Tracy Rice is as genuine as 24-carat gold. She is the real deal. Her voice is as clean and clear as a mountain stream, but the power behind it is pure white-water rapids. Her original songs are full of happiness, loneliness, hopefulness, fear, and courage. They are personal tales of her unvarnished humanity. And the Cactus Cafe (Austin) crowds loved her. Tracy thanked the audience for their sincere attention, but it was clear that appreciation for sharing her touching songs was a two-way street. Hers is a talent truly worthy of attention and respect."
Acoustic Player Magazine
Rice has just released her fourth album, Live at Yadda (July 4), a collection of 12 new original songs recorded at a Cincinnati club. The new CD and digital downloads are available for purchase now on this website. Look for it soon on CDBaby and iTunes.