Tracy Walker

For more than a decade Tracy Walker has been at the forefront of Cincinnati's folk/rock, singer/songwriter scene. She first became known for her belting alto in the group Ain't Helen. The breakup of the band did anything but stop Tracy's momentum. In 1998 she released her first solo recording, NAKED to rave reviews. After time for both introspection and observation she released her second disc, All This Time. She partnered with Bob James' soundman David Kuhn to co-produce this collection. This full-bodied arrangement of tunes includes the work of Blessid Union of Souls' drummer Eddie Hedges.

Tracy's song writing, whether personal or observational is broad-reaching in its ability to move you, sometimes your heart sometimes your feet. Some of the tunes will grab you right away while others are more demanding of your attention. They will all pull you in.

Not one to wait for hand-outs, Walker started her own label, Gallimaufry Records. "I'll always be this hodgepodge, stylistically," Walker says of her musical style. "That is where Gallimaufruy comes from. It means hodgepodge and that's exactly what I am." Walker's musical style sits at the crossroads of Folk, Rock, Country, Jazz and Blues. Add to that Tracy's mixed ethnicity, bi-continental beginnings (she was born in England) and being raised in the free-thinking, creative town of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and this is what you get...a cornucopia, a hodgepodge...a Gallimaufry.

Adhering to the philosophy that growth emerges from experimentation, she performs often in varied venues from clubs to bars to benefits and festivals. Said of her opening performance for the Indigo Girls at Pepsi Jammin On Main, "...those who care about music...were taken by Tracy. It was a startling set. We got goose bumps backstage enjoying people who were enjoying it," said Bob Elias, Event Producer. Tracy has appeared at Cincinnati's premier concert venue Riverbend Entertainment Center with her band opening for the legendary Joe Cocker. Tracy has also shared the stage with Melissa Ferrick, Sally Taylor, Blessid Union of Souls, R&B legend 'Iceman' Jerry Butler, Tom Paxton, Antigone Rising, O.A.R., Pamela Means, Holly Near, Alix Olson, Trina Hamlin, Hot Buttered Rum, Mitch Ryder and many others.

Tracy has also been able to stretch her talents in yet another direction. Her interest in theatre has been played out in shows with the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati and Queen City Off-Broadway productions.

Critics and judges are rewarding what fans have known all along: Walker possesses a soaring alto demanding of attention. To wit: Walker beat stiff competition and was named 1997 Best Singer/Songwriter and 2000 Best Folk Artist by the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards sponsored by Cincinnati CityBeat, the city's leading weekly newspaper of arts and issues. She was also awarded two CAMMY's, the Cincinnati Enquirer Pop Music Awards, for Best Solo Act 1999 and Best Folk/Bluegrass Vocalist 2001. She was voted Best Local Musician in CityBeat's Best Of Cincinnati readers' poll and received another CEA nomination in 2002. Walker has contributed her talent and time to many fund raising efforts and has often been selected as a panelist at music seminars to share what she has learned about the business of music. Tracy was a member of the judging panel for the National Association of Recording Arts & Sciences Demo Review Panel. She is a songwriting mentor for the Songwriter's Summit for Oneness Retreat produced by Oneness (national organization promoting racial and ethnic diversity and unity through music).

Tracy Walker has played extensively in the Greater Cincinnati area and has appeared on stages in Tucson, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis and many other cities across the country. Tracy has developed a well deserved reputation as a fierce performer both solo and with her band. A live solo CD is currently in the works.