ARBOR LIVE.
Arbor Live TV Show Episode 12 Trailer from Arbor Live on Vimeo.
BIOGRAPHY: MUSICAL ROOTS / PERSONAL / PROFESSIONAL
2009 Juno Nominee - Aboriginal Album Of The Year
TRACY BONE - Singer * Songwriter * Performer * Workshop Presenter
WORKSHOP INTRO:
Workshop topics aim to empower and raise the confidence of young people. Encourage participation in songwriting. Students will experience first hand what it takes to work in the music industry. Acoustic performance of original material is incorporated into the presentations. Topics include Self-Esteem/Respect, Positive Relationships and Performing.
MUSICAL ROOTS
When Canadian Country singer/songwriter Tracy Bone walked the Red Carpet at the 2009 JUNO Awards wearing a one-of-a-kind designer gown created to raise money for breast cancer, she could hardly believe this was happening – and just how far she’d come to get there…
With humble beginnings in Winnipeg, Manitoba and on the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, Tracy encountered scores of struggles. Including racism, a broken family and an ultimatum to ‘choose’ between family and music by an ex-partner, it was ultimately her children that provided the strength and courage needed to pursue her passion.
Tracy grew up listening to the traditional country sounds of George Jones, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynne and Patsy Cline, and the sweet vocals of both grandmothers. As a teen, she absorbed the tunes of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Madonna and Michael Jackson, along with plenty of 80’s rock. It wasn’t until she heard Country Recording Artist Faith Hill on the radio did Tracy return to her country music roots.
With sights firmly set on where she’s going, Tracy never forgets where she came from. Her interest in music was first sparked at the age of 7, when her mother bought her a Mini Pop’s record. She knew right away she wanted to be ‘one of them’.
At nine years old, Tracy’s first ‘audition’ was for a solo spot in the Sunday school choir. When asked by the teacher if she was chosen to sing in the piano room, even though she had already been cut she answered ‘yes’ – and proceeded to join the others. She walked into choir that day with pangs of guilt in her gut, carrying Jiminy Cricket on one shoulder and her aspirations on the other.
Bone grew up in Winnipeg and on the Keeseekoowenin First Nation. The reservation was a playground of creeks, abandoned cars, secret hiding forts, leeches, and wood ticks. You only went home to eat and at sundown. As a little girl, it had a magical feeling.
Seeing an Indian singer, Curtis “Shingoose” Johnny, at a school assembly had a big impact. “It was rare to see a brown skinned man singing in the school. From that point, I believed I
could do it too.”
At 19, Tracy entered her first talent show. She spent the next nine years performing throughout her home province of Manitoba. It was a talent show win that earned her the opportunity to record an original song with full production at Studio 441/Arbor (formerly Studio 11). This led to recording eight self-penned and two collaborative works with singer/songwriter, J.C. Campbell for debut CD No Lies.
Other collaborative works since then include three songs with Curb Records’ former songwriter Gilles Godard – currently Chief Creative Officer of Ole' Publishing, who co-wrote hit tunes for Patti Loveless (That’s The Kind Of Mood I’m In) and Terri Clark (I Wanna Do It All).
Tracy has been blessed with many exciting and satisfying career highlights so far, including opening for the likes of Prairie Oyster, Crystal Shawanda, Shane Yellowbird and George Canyon. She performed on APTN’s live concert broadcast nationally on National Aboriginal Day in 2008. Tracy performed at the post-awards reception of the 2008 Western Canadian Music Awards after her win for Aboriginal Recording of the Year. Her song “Your Own” was placed in an episode of APTN’s Mixed Blessings, and her performances have been featured in two APTN music series, The Mix and Arbor Live. CBC Radio has twice featured Tracy on live radio broadcasts, Red Road Music and Future Sound Of Native Canada. She received "Women of Note" recognition in Winnipeg Women Magazine. An inspiring and engaging speaker, Tracy is often invited to present workshops at youth events and for schools.
She is currently working on her second album due out in the fall of 2009. Touring with a group of 3 other women sharing the stage to promote sisterhood and encourage our youth to follow their dreams. The tour began June 2009 and will be traveling the world for next year off and on as the women all have families. We’ll be bringing our children along on the “Women of the Four Winds Tour”.
She supports a brighter future through presentations to the youth, often with her partner
J. C. Campbell. “We talk about self-esteem, positive relationships, music business, song writing and performing”, Bone explains. “My goal is to start an arts program in my community and host fundraisers for a recreation center for the youth. I’d like for them to help build it with their own hands, so they can be proud of their work and contributions for the next generation.
Musical accomplishments include:
- 2009 Juno Awards – Nominee – Aboriginal Album of the Year
- 2009 North American Indigenous Image Awards – Win – Best Country CD
- 2008 Western Canadian Music Awards – Win – Outstanding Aboriginal Recording
- 2008 Native American Music Awards – Winner – Best Country CD
- 2008 Native American Music Awards – Nominee – Best Female Artist
- 2008 Indian Summer Music Awards – Winner – Best Country Recording
- 2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – Nominee – Best Country CD; Best Producer/Engineer
- 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – Winner – Best Female Artist
- 2007 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – Nominee – Best Country CD; Best Songwriter; Single of the Year
- 2007 Indian Summer Music Awards – Nominee – Best Pop Recording
- 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – Winner – Best Album Cover Design
- 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – Nominee – Best Songwriter; Single of the Year; Best Country CD; Best Album Cover Design; Best New Artist
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PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
* Workshop Presenter (Music Business, Songwriting, Self-Esteem/Respect and Youth Oriented classes)
* 2008 Dauphin Countryfest performer
* 2008 Opening act for Mark Collie and Chris Bigford
* 2008 Scotiabank Mainstage - Aboriginal Day Live - The Forks - Wpg, MB.
* 2008 Songwriting Workshop with Buffy St. Marie
* 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – Win “Best Female Artist”
* E-Talk Daily - Press / Interview 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards
* Winnipeg Women Magazine- “Women of Note” - Tracy Bone “2007 Best Female Artist”
* Vancouver Island Music Festival (‘07 Songwriter’s Circle/Aboriginal Music Program Concert)
* A.P.T.N. (Aboriginal People’s Television Network) Musical Series “The Mix” - Taped live performances/interviews 2007 Vancouver Island Music Festival
* 2007 Indian Summer Music Awards - Nominated “Best Pop Recording”
*'07 McPhillip’s Street Station Casino “Main Stage”- Opened for Country Recording Artists Shane Yellowbird and Donny Parenteau
* Co-wrote songs with Nashville Hit Songwriter and Chief Creative Officer Ole’ Publishing, Gilles Godard who penned hits for Terri Clark & Patty Loveless
* 2007 CBC Radio Live broadcast - “Red Road Music” In-The-Round Songwriter’s Circle”
* Northern Lights Casino - Prince Albert, SK. 2007
* 2007 Walk in Balance Conference - hosted song writing workshops / Concert Performance
* 2007 Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards - Triple nominee (Best Country CD/Best Songwriter and Single of the Year)
* 2006 CBC Radio live broadcast “Future Sound of Native Canada” -2006
* Five (5) time nominee at the inaugural Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards 2006 - Lead all artists in nominations (Best Songwriter, Single of the Year, Best Country CD, Best Album Cover Design and Best New Artist)
