Tracy Grammer
Encyclopedia
Tracy Grammer is an American folk singer
known for her work as half of the folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
and for the solo career that she has continued since Carter
's death. She released three albums with Dave Carter during his lifetime, at first doing instrumental work and providing backing vocals, and then, by their last album together, singing lead vocals on half of the tracks. Two albums by the duo have been released following Carter's death. She has also released three solo recordings, some of which have included previously unreleased songs by Carter.
, Grammer was raised in Southern California
and began her musical journey on a borrowed violin at the age of 9. She came from a musical family. Her father, Jim Grammer, played acoustic, electric, and lap steel guitars. Distant relation Leo Fortin played violin and was best known for playing double-trumpets in Lawrence Welk
's orchestra. She earned a degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley.
Following Dave Carter's death in 2002, Tracy Grammer made the decision to play solo at several of the dates that they had scheduled, most notably an engagement at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
. Taking into account Carter's expressed wish that eventually she would sing all of the songs, she continued playing Carter's music. She has continued to tour solo, and has released three solo albums. The first, The Verdant Mile
, is an EP containing her first original composition, the title track, a eulogy for Carter.
Her second solo release, Flower of Avalon
, consists of ten tracks, nine of which were written by Carter before his death, and one of which is a traditional folk song arranged by William Jolliff. The album was co-produced by Grammer and John Jennings
. Featured artists include Mary Chapin Carpenter
, who provided many backing vocals, and Jim Henry
, Grammer's touring partner and Signature Sounds label mate.
Her third album, Book of Sparrows
, was released in November, 2007 and is a seven-song EP featuring covers of songs by Tom Russell
, Kate Power, David Francey
, Dave Carter, and Paul Simon
. The EP was co-produced by Grammer and Jim Henry
.
In 2005, her company, Tracy Grammer Music, made arrangements with Elise Fischer, Carter's sister and copyright owner, to administer the catalog of Dave Carter, giving her effective control over the duo's music.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
known for her work as half of the folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer
Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer were an American folk duo who released three albums from 1998 to 2001, as well as additional material released after Dave Carter's death...
and for the solo career that she has continued since Carter
Dave Carter
Dave Carter was an American folk singer-songwriter who described his style as "post-modern mythic American folk music." He was one half of the duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer, who were heralded as the new "voice of modern folk music" in the months before Carter's unexpected death in July 2002...
's death. She released three albums with Dave Carter during his lifetime, at first doing instrumental work and providing backing vocals, and then, by their last album together, singing lead vocals on half of the tracks. Two albums by the duo have been released following Carter's death. She has also released three solo recordings, some of which have included previously unreleased songs by Carter.
Biography
Born in Homestead, FloridaHomestead, Florida
Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States nestled between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Homestead is primarily a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area....
, Grammer was raised in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
and began her musical journey on a borrowed violin at the age of 9. She came from a musical family. Her father, Jim Grammer, played acoustic, electric, and lap steel guitars. Distant relation Leo Fortin played violin and was best known for playing double-trumpets in Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982...
's orchestra. She earned a degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley.
Following Dave Carter's death in 2002, Tracy Grammer made the decision to play solo at several of the dates that they had scheduled, most notably an engagement at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is an American annual folk-oriented music festival and dance festival formerly held at the Long Hill Farm in Hillsdale, New York, USA. In 2006, the event moved to nearby Dodds Farm, just off Rt. 22, five miles north of the Rt. 22/Rt. 23 intersection in Hillsdale, on...
. Taking into account Carter's expressed wish that eventually she would sing all of the songs, she continued playing Carter's music. She has continued to tour solo, and has released three solo albums. The first, The Verdant Mile
The Verdant Mile
The Verdant Mile is a 2004 extended play album by American folk singer Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :# "The Verdant Mile" # "This Dirty Little Town" # "Wasn't Born To Follow" # "Solitary Man"...
, is an EP containing her first original composition, the title track, a eulogy for Carter.
Her second solo release, Flower of Avalon
Flower of Avalon
Flower of Avalon is a 2005 album by American folk singer Tracy Grammer. This was her first full solo album following the death of Dave Carter in 2002. The recording offered Grammer's take on nine previously unrecorded songs written by Carter and one traditional tune...
, consists of ten tracks, nine of which were written by Carter before his death, and one of which is a traditional folk song arranged by William Jolliff. The album was co-produced by Grammer and John Jennings
John Jennings (musician)
John Jennings is an American musician: a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer.Among his producer work are 8 albums by Mary Chapin Carpenter, as well as releases by Beausoleil, John Gorka, and Janis Ian...
. Featured artists include Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
, who provided many backing vocals, and Jim Henry
Jim Henry (folk singer)
Fans first discovered Jim Henry in the Sundogs, an eclectic "swamp-boogie-swing" group that was one of New England's hottest touring club and dance hall bands in the late 80's/early 90's. In 1993, Jim released his debut solo disc, Into the Blue, whose title track garnered national praise and still...
, Grammer's touring partner and Signature Sounds label mate.
Her third album, Book of Sparrows
Book of Sparrows
-Musicians:* Tracy Grammer - vocals, guitar, banjo, mandola, violin, percussion* Jim Henry - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro- Charts :- External links :* from the official Tracy Grammer web site *...
, was released in November, 2007 and is a seven-song EP featuring covers of songs by Tom Russell
Tom Russell
Thomas George "Tom" Russell is an American singer-songwriter. Although most strongly identified with the Texas Country music tradition, his music also incorporates elements of folk, Tex-Mex, and the cowboy music of the American West. Many of his songs have been recorded by other artists, including...
, Kate Power, David Francey
David Francey
David Francey is a Canadian folk singer-songwriter. Born in 1954 in Ayrshire, Scotland, Francey immigrated to Canada with his family at age 12. After spending much of his life doing labour such as carpentry, he began a career in folk music, quickly making a name for himself on the folk festival...
, Dave Carter, and Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
. The EP was co-produced by Grammer and Jim Henry
Jim Henry (folk singer)
Fans first discovered Jim Henry in the Sundogs, an eclectic "swamp-boogie-swing" group that was one of New England's hottest touring club and dance hall bands in the late 80's/early 90's. In 1993, Jim released his debut solo disc, Into the Blue, whose title track garnered national praise and still...
.
In 2005, her company, Tracy Grammer Music, made arrangements with Elise Fischer, Carter's sister and copyright owner, to administer the catalog of Dave Carter, giving her effective control over the duo's music.
Solo recordings
| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| The Verdant Mile The Verdant Mile The Verdant Mile is a 2004 extended play album by American folk singer Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :# "The Verdant Mile" # "This Dirty Little Town" # "Wasn't Born To Follow" # "Solitary Man"... (EP Extended play An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact... ) |
2004 | Tracy Grammer Music |
| Flower of Avalon Flower of Avalon Flower of Avalon is a 2005 album by American folk singer Tracy Grammer. This was her first full solo album following the death of Dave Carter in 2002. The recording offered Grammer's take on nine previously unrecorded songs written by Carter and one traditional tune... |
2005 | Signature Sounds |
| Book of Sparrows Book of Sparrows -Musicians:* Tracy Grammer - vocals, guitar, banjo, mandola, violin, percussion* Jim Henry - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, dobro- Charts :- External links :* from the official Tracy Grammer web site *... (EP) |
2007 | Tracy Grammer Music |
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| When I Go When I Go (album) When I Go is a 1998 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "When I Go" – 4:16# "Don't Tread on Me" – 3:23# "Annie's Lover" – 2:52... |
1998 2001 |
Self-release Signature Sounds |
| Tanglewood Tree Tanglewood Tree Tanglewood Tree is a 2000 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "Happytown " – 3:34# "Tanglewood Tree" – 3:42# "The Mountain" – 3:39... |
2000 | Signature Sounds |
| Drum Hat Buddha Drum Hat Buddha Drum Hat Buddha is a 2001 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.- Track listing :All songs written by Dave Carter.# "Ordinary Town" – 2:48# "Tillman Co." – 3:26# "Disappering Man" – 3:49... |
2001 | Signature Sounds |
| Seven Is the Number Seven Is the Number Seven Is the Number is a 2006 album by American folk duo Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer. It was the duo's final recording, released over four years after Carter's unexpected death due to a heart attack in July 2002.... |
2006 | Tracy Grammer Music |
| American Noel (EP) | 2007 2008 |
Tracy Grammer Music Signature Sounds |