Carl Casselbury, Donn Hecht, Don Henley, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Lobo, David Gates, Dan Fogleberg, Classic Rock, Classic and new Country and all my fellow NSAI and Songwriters Guild members I've had the privelage to know, learn from and work with.
I'm John Michael Tracy. Born on Jan. 11, 1957 in Elmira, NY. the oldest of six kids. I grew up in Athens, PA., which is right across the border from Upstate New York and have always loved music, art, and sports.
I took piano lessons when I was a kid, and when I was a teenager, taught myself to play guitar. Some friends and I had a country band and played local spots and weddings for a while and a good friend and singer/songwriter, Debbie Vitanza encouraged me to try my hand at singing.
So, in my early twenties, I bought a 4-track recorder and had a ball playing and recording songs that I admired from the Eagles, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Lobo, David Gates and Bread, Dan Fogelberg, etc. I was way proud of myself so I sent the recordings to my Grandfather, who'd had a band when he was young and performed all over upstate Pennsyvania and New York. He asked me why I didn’t write my own songs. The thought had never occurred to me, but once I’d considered it, it sounded like a great idea, and I told him I'd take a shot at it.
After the first hundred songs or so, I called a few record companies to let them know that a new talent had arrived and was ready to take over the songwriting world. They suggested I join NSAI(Nashville Songwiter's Assc., International) and Songwriter's Guild first. So I did. In the mean time, I was sending quite a few of my songs to Washington to be copyrighted.
A Publisher/Writer named Donn Hecht (most famous for co-writing Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight”) had someone working for him in Washington that noticed the number of songs I was copywriting. Donn contacted me and asked me to send him some material. I did. He became my publisher, mentor and friend until his death in October 2002. He taught me more about songwriting and the business than anyone I’ve ever met.
In the Spring of 2000, I wrote a song called “The South’ll Rise Again” and sent it to the nationally syndicated “The John Boy and Billy Big Show” as a gift, never imagining they’d ever do anything with it. They were impressed enough to play it on the air, and it has been on their “Best Of” shows ever since.
After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, I wrote the song titled “Give’m Hell U.S.A.” I sent copies to President George Bush, some of his staff and to many of our servicemen in the Military, here and abroad. Both President Bush, his Chief of Staff Andrew Card, and Director of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge responded with very gracious thank you notes.
I’m also a member of the local and National GTO clubs, owned several GTOs, two Judges, and have written several “hot rod” songs that get regular play at many car shows and cruise-ins up and down the East Coast.
My wife Kathy and I lived and worked in Nashville for a year and met many wonderful artists and songwriters who inspired and encouraged me. She is my best friend, life and love and we now reside near Stone Mountain Georgia.
I am a songwriter, photographer and artist. It's what I love to do.
make custom gifts at Zazzle
Currently, we're playing locally here in the greater Houston area BUT if you or someone you know would like to book the band or our acoustic duo show we'll travel just about anywhere. Drop me a line at mike@parrish-hundley.com!!!!
Hello from Nashville; Thanks for being a MYSPACE friend. Hope all is going well with your music career. Stop by from time to time and keep me posted with what you have been up to. If you are looking for any original songs to record I just posted 5 new songs I wrote on my MYSPACE website. Also keep me in mind if you plan to record in Nashville. If you would like to subscribe to my COUNTRY MUSIC NEWSLETTER just send me an E Mail at: .
JEM Entertainment presents: "Ready for the Row" Music Workshop Hosted by Nashville's Own Barbara Cloyd
With over 20 years experience in Nashville , Barbara is a Hit Songwriter, Consultant, Performer and Host of Nashville ’s Bluebird Café! Saturday, April 26th @ 10 am - 4 pm Hampton Inn, Lawrenceville, GA
If you are a performer and/or songwriter, this workshop is a MUST to succeed in the Nashville market! For more info, visit www. jem-entertainment. com.
"Turnin to Country" Tresa Jordan's new TV series premiers on RFD-TV January 4th 2008. The show airs every Friday EST at 1 pm, 11 pm and Saturday mornings at 10 am. Dish network channel 231 and Direct TV Channel 379 plus other cable Systems. See TV clips and sponsor information on Tresa's TV web site www.turnintocountry.com Singer-Songwriter-TV Host Nashville,TN
Hello from Canada Thanks for adding me as one of your MYSPACE friends. Stop by my website and listen to the songs I recorded in Nashville with record producer Lonnie Ratliff. I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and the very best in your music career. Dani
So Nice to meet you John. I would love a comment on my videos. 'Angels Cry' was recently charted on the Music Row Country Chart. The video is currently aired on GAC TV Positively Country. 'I turn To Country' was my first single & also recently charted. I co-wrote both songs plus seven on my album. Have a beautiful day♥ Tresa Jordan, Singer/Songwriter Nashville,TN More songs on my web site www.tresajordan.com
