Tracy Thornton - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Career

Making his living for the past fifteen years as a steelpannist, Tracy Thornton has worked as a performer, averaging over 150 shows a year, an arranger/composer, bandleader, manager, producer and clinician.

A former rock drummer and African percussionist, Tracy is taking steelpan music to a whole new level by merging music styles normally associated with pan such as Calypso,
Soca and Reggae with other popular musical genres such as rock, pop and punk rock, creating a fresh, unique and innovative sound that is inspiring a whole new generation of pan players.

Tracy has performed all over the continental US, Hawaii, Japan, Mexico and throughout the Caribbean including performing in a number of Trinidad’s annual Carnival celebrations and Panorama (the world’s largest steelband competition).

Tracy has also crossed over into pop culture as he has been featured in Spin Magazine, Modern Drummer, MTV.com and his internationally acclaimed “Pan For Punks…A Steelpan Tribute To The Ramones” was voted one of the top 10 Cds of 2006 by Global Rhythm Magazine.
Tracy was also the founder and leader of “Sons Of Steel”, known as the nation’s most exciting steelband during their tenure, all of who’s average age was only fourteen years. Sons Of Steel had stints at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center, toured with the original Wailer’s Band. They also performed on shows with Trinidadian stars like Mochel Montano & Xtactic, Iwer George and Shadow just to name a few. They also were invited to performed on Univision’s Variety show Sabado Gigante that airs to over 100 million viewers worldwide.

Tracy has also opened shows for the likes of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, The Dave Matthews Band, Santana, The Ramones, Earth Wind & Fire, Yanni, Barry White, the list goes on.
In 2008 Tracy was a winner of the 2008 Hawaiian Music Awards with the band “The Tsunami Wave Riders” in the single of the year category with their hit “Island Dreamin’”.

Thornton has spread his talents in the area of a steelband producer as well. With seven solo CDs under his belt. Two Sons Of Steel Cds, one that he co-produced with Andy Narell and one with his critically acclaimed group Been Caught Steelin’. He has also recorded and produced steelband Cds for other steelbands such as The Bahama Mamas, Steel Praisin’, The Tsunami Wave Riders and The Pink Flamingos.
Mr. Thornton has also turned into a very popular guest artist choice for public schools, community bands, colleges and Universities with steelband programs throughout the country not only for his innovative and exciting arrangements but to also share his wealth of knowledge of being a full time musician and sharing his personal experiences and the realities of the music business.

Tracy is currently performing shows in the US and throughout the Caribbean.

Tracy has recently performed in a mass band project at National Trail Elementary, Middle, High School. The mass band played Tracy's original song "Dain Brammage". There were over 125 players. It consisted of players in school from Middle School to College.

Albums

Tracy Thornton's Steeling Christmas, 1994
Been Caught Steelin, 1996
Steel & Brass, 1998
Outta The Blue 1999
Carpe Diem, 2000
Me and My Pan, 2002
Steel Drum Fever, 2006
Pan For Punks...A Steelpan Tribute To The Ramones 2006
Pan Can Jam! 2007
Been Caught Steelin'...A Steelpan Tribute To Jane"s Addiction 2008

External links

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