Tracy Nelson’s Home Destroyed By Fire
Tracy Nelson
Acclaimed Nashville vocal stylist Tracy Nelson lost her house and most of her belongings in a fire last Saturday (6/5).
According to friend JoAnne Gardner, Nelson’s home studio was destroyed. It was where she was recording an upcoming CD titled Victim of the Blues. Nelson, her boyfriend/engineer Mike Dysinger and most of their pets are safe. But the status of the computer files that stored her new music is uncertain.
“It’s one of the worst things I’ve ever been through, but we’re OK,” Nelson said yesterday. “We’re safe. People have been incredible. Our neighbor gave us a house across the street to stay in. We lost two of our 11 animals, but it could have been even more horrible.”
The house contained her grandmother’s grand piano as well as her extensive collection of mementos from the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. She did not have enough insurance to cover these and other losses.
A benefit fund has been set up at US Bank under the name “Rosehips Music/Tracy Nelson.” Since she hopes to rebuild on the site in Burns, TN, she says she would also welcome gift certificates to Lowe’s or Home Depot hardware stores.
Tracy Nelson began singing in coffeehouses when she was a student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She recorded her first blues album, Deep Are the Roots, in 1964 for Prestige Records.
Relocating to San Francisco, she became the lead singer of Mother Earth in 1968. The group moved to Nashville in 1969, becoming one of the first rock bands to settle in the country capital.
Mother Earth recorded three LPs for Mercury and two for Reprise Records. Its 1968 debut collection introduced her classic song “Down So Low.” It has now been recorded by more than a dozen other artists, including Etta James and Linda Ronstadt.
There was also a Mother Earth Presents Tracy Nelson country album on Mercury in 1971, and she has returned to the country repertoire several times since. She went solo in 1973 and has recorded LPs and CDs for Columbia, MCA, Rounder, Flying Fish, Atlantic and other labels. In 1974 she had a country hit as the duet partner of Willie Nelson (no relation) on “After the Fire Is Gone.”
Her most recent release was 2007’s You’ll Never Be a Stranger at My Door on Memphis International Records.
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I read about this on Tracy’s website. As a long time fan, I am very saddened to learn about the extent of the damage and the loss of two of Tracy’s beloved animals. (They had just had a tornado scare a couple of weeks ago, and sat it out in the bathroom–with 12 bewildered animals just trying to figure out what the heck was going on).
You dodge one bullet and turn around and get hit by another, it seems.
Tracy is a truly great singer and a wonderful, warm and witty sould. She has always been gracious to her fans. I just love this woman: a great artist, but SO down to earth.
Bob Oermann, by the way, was instrumental in helping Tracy select material for her classic 2007 c&w release NEVER BE A STRANGER AT MY DOOR.
I would like to contribute to the US Bank benefit fund for Tracy, but their website didn’t offer any information. Can anyone walk me through the process??? Thanks!
Tracy Nelson survived the 60’s & I am sure she will survive this. If she did lose her new music in the fire – I hope someone gets her back in the studio any studio ASAP. I had her sign one of my CD’s a few years ago – it was a Mother Earth reissue. I asked if there were any extra features like alternate takes. She said that back in the day – they never kept alternate takes. That’s a shame. But we still have the originals to enjoy. Go to her website & buy a few – if you haven’t already
Tracy is a strong, wonderful woman. She will get through this. We love her so much. Kind, brave, and one of our greatest singers in the world. I’m going to Lowes.
Since this article was published, the computer housing Tracy’s latest tracks was recovered, intact. She is tough and a real survivor; I know she will get through this very difficult period.
Any information anyone has on how to donate to the benefit fund would be much appreciated!!!
US Bank: Rose Hips Music: 151203604948
If there is a US Bank in your area, just deposit your check, but check with the clerk for the account name, Tracy Nelson, or Rose Hips Music.
Fund for Tracy Nelson information: The Blues Foundation’s wire information for those interested in making a donation to the fund for Tracy Nelson (to be administered by The Blues Foundation.)
WIRE INFO
First Tennessee Bank
165 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
attn: Teresa (901) 681-2507
routing #084000026
acct #0902829
Fund for Tracy Nelson