Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Newman.
Hi Tracy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Everything really began with being a singer-songwriter and playing songs for children. I started to play guitar when I was 14 and the Kingston Trio was popular. That was a long time ago! They played songs that used only 2 or 3 chords, so I could really learn and perfect them. I understood early on that if I played well, people would listen. I became the local go-to person at group singalongs at camp, at schools, and in some shows. So, I learned how to be in front of an audience without much fear. I didn’t start writing songs until much later.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s almost never a “smooth road.” If it is, you probably aren’t learning anything. One really difficult show business experience: Way back in 1965, I was hired to play on a very popular live TV show. I had never performed on TV before, so I didn’t know whether I should look at the studio audience or the cameras. Also, back then I had an outfit I performed in – pants and top, a cap, and boots. Very comfortable. I felt very grounded in that outfit. But because I was a girl, the music director said I had to wear a dress and heels, and no cap. It wasn’t me… if you know what I mean. So, I was already uncomfortable even before my performance started. And – I was accustomed to playing guitar and singing alone, but the band was going to play with me, with no rehearsal! The songs were well known so they just got the key from me. I was TERRIFIED! The most important lesson I learned from this whole fiasco is — make sure you’re set up to win, not lose. I was like a deer caught in headlights up there! I never allowed myself to be so pushed around again.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My life’s journey has pretty much been centered around writing and performing in various incarnations. These days I am focusing on my company, RUN ALONG HOME (Songs for Kids), writing and recording age-appropriate songs for children, from birth to about six years old. I’ve released three CDs to date that have garnered recognition by Mom’s Choice Awards, National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), and Parents’ Choice Awards among others. I sometimes play live at schools where I can engage with kids in person.
I’m proud of several things I’ve done in my long career. I am a founding member of the Los Angeles-based improvisation theatre company, The Groundlings. I was a TV comedy writer with a partner, Jonathan Stark, for about 17 years, starting on staff at Cheers, then moving on to The Nanny, The Drew Carey Show, and many others. We worked on the Ellen sitcom for four seasons, and in 1997 won the Emmy for co-writing Ellen’s groundbreaking coming-out episode, then in 2001, we co-created According to Jim which ran for eight seasons. When the show reached syndication, I left to return to being a singer-songwriter. I released three CDs for grown-ups with my band, Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements, then turned to writing songs for kids. It was good timing, too, because I now have a beautiful grandson who really appreciates my music! I’m currently working on my 4th CD for kids. What perhaps sets me apart from others is… I’ve come full circle. I started out doing music for kids and am now doing it again.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
With the speed and twists and turns of the internet, no one can really predict where anything is going. All I can do is continue to create the kind of songs I would have liked my daughter to hear when she was little. Continue to sing about the things that occupy a child’s mind as best I can with the hopes of creating a soundtrack woven into the memories of their early childhood. And hopefully, keep doing that for the rest of my life!
Contact Info:
- Email: RAH@runalonghome.com
- Website: www.runalonghome.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/runalonghome
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/runalonghome
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/runalonghome
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/runalonghome
- Other: www.tracynewman.com
Image Credits:
James Frank Dean (primary)
