It’s a great treat when I get to interview someone I haven’t seen in a long time but knew way back when. Not only did we go to high school together, but Tracy Foote lived in my neighborhood. Even back then, all he wanted to do was play his music.
My best memory of hanging together was a jam session at my house after school. Well. Tracy was jamming. I was doing a poor job of playing the opening to Stairway to Heaven on my flute. What Led Zeppelin fan who played the flute in school wouldn’t want to play that gorgeous piece of music? But that was my struggle, band music didn’t translate well into Rock, for me anyway. I also wanted to play like Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. I had big dreams.
Mostly what stands out was that Tracy was full of smiling conviction and a model of patience, and it was a lot of fun giving it a go.
The other thing that stands out is that he’s still jamming (I won’t say how many) decades later, and gets to make a living out of it.
Q. So Tracy, first let’s talk about your bands, your mates, and what you all hope to accomplish through your shared music.
TF. Hey Darci – what a great memory!
Imagine … today we could’ve recorded that for posterity on our phones!
OK – the bands:
I’m currently playing in a pair of bands that evolved from one (band).
THE BREAKERS is made up of guys I’ve been playing with in various lineups for about ten years now. DEVON GALLEY AND THE HEAVY HOLD (DGHH) is a group of guys who are all about ten years younger than I am – I still like to run with what the “kids” are into 😂
I’ve been with both bands for about six years now, which, come to think of it, is about the longest run I’ve maintained with a group of musicians, ever.
My situation is unique to me, and so I don’t know how helpful my story can be to anyone else, but I am not alone. I have a wonderful family, and a wife who is eternally patient and has always been my foundation, along with our daughters, who are now all grown up. Not that I’m old, or anything!
So while I am happy to discuss the nuts and bolts of playing music, and the rigors of keeping in shape for live performances, I have to disclose that I couldn’t have done any of this without my family.
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I was living in Los Angeles (where I met my wife, Cecilyn) long ago, and at that time was active in the local scene. A good example of what we were doing can be seen here:
This song featured David Lindley (who recently passed away), playing lap style slide guitar.
Once I returned to Northern California – Sacramento – and started a family, I stopped performing, and really went on about a 15-year hiatus. I never stopped playing, but I devoted my time to raising our daughters. After fumbling around with some other friends I met through my kids’ school, I decided to aggressively search for some guys who were performing on a somewhat professional level … which led me to where I am today.
I should add here that prior to my looking for others to play with, I spent a few years teaching myself the art of recording using all of this wonderful new technology.
DLL: This is an amazing journey, Tracy!
And that would have been a lot of fun preserving that dive into Led Zeppelin in my living room. Hmmm. Now you got me thinking about what our selfies might have looked like back then... Nope… Never mind. I’m glad we don’t have to suffer our teenage mugs coming back to bite us. 😄
Your bands are both fabulous. Here are more great recordings on Spotify:
Q. Pinning you down for our chat provided a lot of insight into the busy schedule of a musician. Can you give us a rundown on what it’s like keeping up with all your performances? And maybe an idea of the geographical scale you cover in a week, month, or year?
TF. I’ve always been a regular commuter up and down California, but mainly because my wife’s family is down in Los Angeles, as well as many of our friends, etc. The bands I play with now cover mostly Northern California. I’ll be in Quincy this fall with THE BREAKERS, for instance. With DGHH, I was just way out in Wilseyville – I think – playing at OwlFest.
DLL. Ah. Calaveras County, and Plumas! This makes me want to get out to all the fabulous music festivals going on in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I’ve neglected that activity. My books are set smack in the middle of them, starting in Quincy. I forget what rich music offerings and fun venues abound practically in my backyard.
Q. What kind of time investment is there in practicing with your bands and preparing for your appearances?
TF. I’m always in favor of time spent practicing and working on performance art, etc., but most of us have families and are involved in other commitments as well, so we get good at flying by the seat of our pants, as they used to say. It’s all about being as professional as you can be.
DLL. Perfect! And pretty much how I imagined it. 😊
Q. What would you say are the differences between a 9-5 job and working with a band? Is it like going to work with any other coworker or team? Along with that, playing with two bands must add an extra layer to the work dynamics. Does it merge together, or are there additional challenges, or benefits?
TF. Clearly those two things aren’t the same. I think (with the band) everybody has to be somewhat equally vested; you’ve got to have a dedication to the cause. If one doesn’t, it will work itself out eventually.
The benefits are getting to play with a variety of other band members, who all contribute to a sound, which works what the band sounds like …. and I get to do it twice!
Q. I’ve always had the idea that traveling a circuit playing music gigs is equal parts hard work and equal parts play. What’s your take on that? More of one over the other?
TF. I have never thrown myself “all-in” for a life on the road. But I know it’s brutal – especially the older we get. Talk to a Triple A Ballplayer … I’ve known two friends in my life who seemed to be perfectly suited for their life on the road – and they were (are) very successful with it, but that’s rare, I think. I wouldn’t want to be away from my family all the time.
DLL. I can imagine how tough it would be. There’s a draw to that nomadic lifestyle but it does require a lot of sacrifice. I’m really happy you’ve worked out such a great formula, thanks to your supportive family.
Q. How much does audience feedback feature in the above equation?
TF. Audience reaction/participation is always fun. After all, most of us playing up on a stage are just trying to get your attention … lol
DLL. I envy that direct feedback for sure, especially after spending the last several years trying to reach an audience with my stories. On those rare occasions when I do, it is such a boost!
Q. Any tricks you like to share on balancing it all with life and family?
TF. For all the guys I play with, and myself, family always comes first. So there’s not much balance necessary.
DLL. I’d say that might even be the definition of balance. Again, so happy you struck the right notes, Tracy!
Q. What are your favorite methods for staying organized and keeping energized?
TF. Ugh … you got any, Darci? Please share!
DLL. 😂 I ask all my guests this. I’m always hoping for ideas. But I think you’ve given us a sense of how you manage it.
Q. I’ve always thought it fantastic that you stuck with music and made it part of your life from such a young age. Can you describe a little of what that’s like? Is it the lifestyle you envisioned when you were a teenager?
TF. When we corresponded about this last week, I mentioned that I saw my life as 3 or 4 distinct “eras” – apologies to T. Swift – and it almost seems unreal to me. I knew that I wanted to use art in one form or another throughout my life – and hopefully figure out a way to earn a living without sacrificing that. I also knew that I really wanted to have a wife – which, no matter how much I saw myself happily married, that was no guarantee I would ever have it. Once I did, I knew I had what mattered most, and everything else became icing on the cake.
The business of music – writing, recording, performing – has completely transformed since I first set out on my life’s journey. The “lifestyle you envisioned when you were a teenager” could never have included carrying around all the knowledge in the history of the world via a smartphone. I wish I could have predicted it. Imagine what the year 2040 will be like … or, maybe don’t.
But back to “Retro”, I would be remiss if I failed to plug THE BREAKERS LP (a real VINYL LP!) :
“THE BREAKERS” **LIMITED EDITION** COLOR VINYL LP + DIGITAL DOWNLOAD! | eBay
DLL. That is a fantastic perspective. Thanks for sharing. I hadn’t really thought about comparing my dreams back then with how they might be affected by technology. It’s a totally fun exercise. I suppose when you get to be our age, it is easy to look back on life as separate layers. Love this! And wow! Love this vinyl! 🤩
Q. I remember some of your influences from our high school days, like the aforementioned Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and I’m sure there are so many more guitarists who are my favorites too. But what or who was your biggest influence, the one that set you on the path to being a musician?
TF. THAT is a loaded question … those bands were big for me in high school, but when I was really being energized, and drawing inspiration from others, I would have to list Paul Westerberg (The Replacements), Tom Waits, and The Rolling Stones (1969-73, the Mick Taylor era) as my primary influences. I’m a big old-school blues and country guy, too. Think Hank Williams Sr., John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, etc.
DLL. This is why we hit it off so well, Tracy. I’ve gone on to appreciate so many fantastic blues guitarists like the ones you mention and love the Mississippi Hill Country artists like R. L. Burnside. I’m always anticipating new material from the musicians influenced by them all, like The Black Keys.
Tom Waits… hardly enough words for his amazing body of work. If you want a modern day interpretation of Robert Johnson, think Eric Clapton, who of course is a legend in his own right.
😄I’ll stop here. Thanks for letting me meander through my music list with you, Tracy…
Q. Besides music, what other interests or hobbies do you enjoy? I remember you traveling to Washington D.C. after high school and visiting the political scene. Did a fascination with politics stick with you?
TF. No.
DLL. Okay. I get it.😉Playing Music, and family. What more do you need?
Q. What advice would you give to young musicians about choosing a career in music? Looking back, would you do anything differently? Any other parting words of advice?
TF. I don’t even view it as a “career”; it’s not something to do, it’s more like something you are. Those who successfully navigate their way through life with only music are possessed with talent, ambition, and a healthy dose of luck along the way. However, I refer back to how the world has so radically changed – and the way we communicate and express ourselves has evolved right along with it.
Kids today would never believe the excitement that was once present when a big album was released – the last time it happened was probably when the last Led Zeppelin LP came out in 1980. There were lines around the block and down the street at Tower Records; I remember that same year waiting in a long line at Wherehouse Records in Sunrise Mall to buy AC/DC’s “Back In Black” album ($3.99 LP!) … our media is now so spread out far and wide, these scenes are likely never going to happen again.
Nevertheless, I would say practice and play, play out, and do it all again, and again.
DLL. I’m going to quote you on that first line. Love it!
I’m both fascinated and a little saddened by your second point. It is so true. I remember waiting for those record releases, too and spending hours in the record stores just browsing. It was a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. The same for the movies… like Star Wars. There was nothing like waiting in a line that wrapped around a movie theater complex and getting jazzed about the experience with all the other fans. Now you plop something in a search engine and have it in your possession in seconds… all alone with your treasure…
That is why having bands like yours to go see and hear in person at all the great venues is today’s saving grace.
Thank you so much for visiting my Spotlight, Tracy. All the best to you, your family, and your bands.
Coming next for Tracy and his bands:
The Breakers will be performing:
- July 14 @ HIGHWAY 50 Brewery in Camino
- July 28 @ Movement Brewing Co. in Rancho Cordova HWY 50 & Sunrise area
- July 29 @ Torch Club in Sacramento
Devon Galley and The Heavy Hold just finished a round of shows. Here’s what’s next:
- August 26 @ Movement Brewing Co. in Rancho Cordova
By D. L. Lewellyn 