We recently had the chance to connect with Tracy Richardson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tracy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I usually walk for about 30 minutes in the morning, then do some PT exercises (life is hard on our bodies!). Then I make coffee (essential) and jump into answering work emails. If it’s the weekend I try to sit down and write as soon as I can in the morning; that’s when my brain is most creative.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a songwriter (blessed to have won a few awards), artist, music therapist, and educator living in Nashville and loving life!
I won the American Songwriter lyric contest (Jan/Feb 2023) and the Nashville Songwriters Association International lyric contest (2023) for my song “The Woman in Black.” This song started flowing out of me in the weeks after losing my husband. It seems every time I play it at least one person in the audience approaches me because their spouse/partner has passed on too. It has an impact and instantly connects us. I’m releasing the single on November 1, 2025.
I grew up and lived in Indiana until recently, when I decided to fulfill my dream of living in Nashville. I’ve been writing since I was a kid but in the last 10 years I’ve really started digging in to learning more about the craft and business of songwriting. I also started making regular trips to Nashville to meet people, write, and learn how things work in this industry. It is so great to be so immersed in the music here.
I have been a board-certified music therapist and educator for over 30 years and I bring all of that with me into my songwriting and the coaching that I do with beginning songwriters. I also love to lead songwriting experiences with veterans and other groups. Most exciting to me right now is that I am releasing new music over the next few months and have some songs being cut by other artists.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my mom has shaped how I see myself. She always saw me as a musician, since I was 3 years old and I sang “O Christmas Tree” while looking at our tree! She got me a piano when I was 9 and took me to piano lessons every Saturday. She has always told me she would do whatever it took to help me chase my dreams. She has been an unwavering cheerleader my entire life, and I’m so blessed for that. When I asked her in 2023 “Do you think it’s crazy for me to be thinking of moving to Nashville at my age?,” she said “Honey, I’m surprised you are not there already; you belong there.”
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I lost my husband in 2022. That has been the worst, most painful, experience of my life. I still miss him everyday. Truth be told, I still talk to him and ask him to help me figure out what to do when I’m confused or uncertain. Life is never “the same” or “normal” after you lose someone you love, but I think you can learn to go on even though “normal” becomes very different. In my case, I have leaned heavily on my friends, family, and writing songs to help me process the grief and move forward. It’s an ongoing journey.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think many people in the music business equate success with getting a #1 song on the charts, or making lots of money in music. It’s easy to think that way. I am trying to align myself with the idea that success in the music industry is about doing what I love…writing, performing, coaching, helping…in a way that is satisfying and fulfilling to me and helps others in some way. How can I use my love of music, and my skills, to serve others and to fill my own cup?
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people think of me as loving, encouraging, forgiving, and brave. And I hope they tell the story of a woman who loved her family intensely and chased her music dreams. I hope my kids remember me as a mom who loved them with every ounce of my being.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tracyrichardsonmusic.com
- Instagram: @tracyrichardsonmusic
- Facebook: Tracy Richardson Music
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tracyrichardsonmusic6974
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tracy-richardson-music
- Other: https://linktr.ee/tracyrichardsonmusic
Image Credits
Photos: Measurably More Media
Hair/MU: Pauline Joseph
