7 minute read

The Real Tracy Fields, DJ

Tracy Fields,DJ at WLRN (91.3 FM), Miami, Florida By Dr. Joan Cartwright, (Con’t)

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Velveteen Rabbit .

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful.

“When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse.

“You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop

out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real, you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand. But once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

Thus, we have the pleasure of listening to The Real Tracy Fields every week night on WLRN! http://www.therealtracyfields.com

Kim J & Joan

Ted Grossman, Tracy & Len PaceAlice Day

China Valles & Nancy Wilson

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In commemoration of Women's History Month, the Fort Lauderdale Woman's Club showcased prominent vocalists in South Florida to celebrate "Women in Music" on March 4, 2022, at 20 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The speakeasy theme is women in music who have been particularly underrepresented in the blues genre throughout history. Mary Washington Brooks was the program coordinator. Dottie Kelley won the International Blues Challenge for the Southeast Treasure Coast. Betty Padgett won the South Florida Blues Society Band Spot and Mary Washington Brooks performed in the "National Women in Blues Showcase" in Memphis. Also performing were Liz Sharp, Cheryl Arena, Betty Padgett, and Cyndi Floyd. The musicians included Joey Gilmore and Mike Arcona and others. The event was a fundraiser for the historically-designated clubhouse, built in 1917, that age and weather resulted in roof repairs of $60,000. The mission of the Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club (FLWC) is to engage the women of Fort Lauderdale as volunteers who make a recognizable difference in addressing civic, educational, cultural, and humanitarian needs in our community and beyond. The FLWC promotes charitable and educational activities through volunteerism and was incorporated before the City of Fort Lauderdale. The Club is a [501(c)(3)] not-for-profit, Federal Tax ID number 59-0673290.

Contact: Mindy Noble, 2 nd Vice President Fort Lauderdale Woman's Club noblemindy@gmail.com

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Mimi Chen, DJ

Mimi Chen is a multi-talented actor, singer, and dancer, but is also known for being an FM rock radio disc jockey who has worked in Trenton (WPST-FM), Philadelphia (WMMR-FM), San Francisco, (KSAN-FM, KRQR-FM and other stations) and Los Angeles (KCSN-FM, KSCA-FM). While at KDBK-FM, she became the first Asian- American talk radio host in an English speaking format, in the midday time slot. As a musician, Mimi performed a piano recital at Lincoln Center when she was a child studying at The Juilliard Pre-College. She also sings and has sung the National Anthem for the A's, The Giants, The California State Warriors and The Angels. She hosted the top-rated radio show "Peace, Love and Sunday Mornings" at 100.3 The Sound (KSWD-FM) in Los Angeles. As of 2018, she can be heard on 88.5 FM.

How long have you been a DJ? Since the beginning of time! I hate to admit but decades.

What was the first program you were a DJ and where? I worked at WPRB - it’s a college station at a tiny university named Princeton in New Jersey

Who are the most famous artists you have interviewed? Gosh, artists like Paul McCartney, Metallica, Van Halen, Jack Bruce of Cream, Paul Kantner of The Jefferson Starship. Debby Harry of Blondie. Tori Amos. Chris Isaak. Fun times

What was your most challenging moment? That would be the time I was trying to connect to a live concert feed. Then they told me they were having technical difficulties. At that time, it was early in my career so I hadn’t learned to have anything cued up and ready to go at that point. I basically had to talk for about 45

minutes. It was crazy and I don’t remember anything I said after I finally patched into the concert!

How many women have you interviewed? I haven’t kept count but definitely have interviewed fewer women than men Do you have a different approach to interviewing women? Not really. I don’t even think about man woman or child. It’s about discovering aspects of what the artist is all about

Do you have a mentor or a mentee? I had several people to thank for getting me into radio, Phil Simon was the DJ who originally trained me in pro radio. But it was Jerry Stevens, a legendary programmer associated with WMMR who gave me the break into major market radio

Did you take any courses to become a DJ? No, it was all training on the job

Do you have a business or corporation? I have my own production business where I produce voiceovers, commercials and My side gigs include acting through several agents who represent me. 10. What is the largest budget you have worked with? Probably the contract I had with Viacom when I worked with a talk radio station.

Tell me about your team. Lol, it’s mostly me myself and I (but I do have three agents who help me so I guess they are part of my “team”)

Do you play an instrument? Yes, I play guitar, piano and violin. I used to be pretty good but because I don’t have much time to make or practice music, I’m sure they are at various stages of disrepair!

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musicwoman magazine 2021

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