Brunch in the Loft with Tracy Nelson

One of the most powerful voices in American music, singer-songwriter & guitarist Tracy Nelson shares new music from her recent Grammy-nominated release Life Don’t Miss Nobody for an intimate brunch performance in the SOPAC Loft. This duo event celebrates Nelson’s 80th birthday and features longtime collaborator Steve Conn who accompanies Nelson on piano — and accordion when she switches to her signature 12-string. Together, the artists interpret music from Life Don’t Miss Nobody, plus music from Conn’s original repertoire.

A musical self-portrait, Nelson’s 13-track collection bonds Blues, Country, New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, and Gospel influences, and features enduring compositions from Hank Williams, Ma Rainey, Willie Dixon, Allen Toussaint, Chuck Berry, Doc Pomus, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Stephen Foster. Soulful and deeply interpretive, Nelson’s voice began captivating audiences decades ago in Wisconsin coffeehouses. Today, her Roots-born phrasing and Gospel-inflected vibrato continue top evolve her 60-year career, and to move each new generation of listeners.

Food Will Be Served Buffet Style, Menu TBD

Tracey Nelson

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Tracy Nelson fronted 60s blues band Mother Earth. In her teens, Nelson sang folk music in coffeehouses and with The Fuller’s Wood Singers group, and served as lead singer in The Fabulous Imitations band. In 1966, Nelson moved to San Francisco where she became part of its storied music scene. There, Mother Earth played the Fillmore Auditorium, sharing bills with the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. Her hit 60s song “Down So Low” inspired covers from Linda Ronstadt and Etta James. 

In the late 1960s, Nelson moved to Nashville, where she and Mother Earth recorded Make A Joyful Noise and she released her solo leader album Tracy Nelson Country. In 1974, her duet with Willie Nelson “After the Fire is Gone” received a Grammy nomination. Nelson has recorded for various independent record labels, and collaborated with Nick Gravenites, Harvey Mandel, Corky Siegel, and Sam Lay (as the Chicago Blues Reunion), and with Angela Strehli, Annie Sampson, and Dorothy Morrison (as the Blues Broads), and performed intermittently with the Bel Airs and with Siegel’s Chicago outfit Chamber Blues.

“Tracy Nelson proves that the human voice is the most expressive instrument in creation.”
– Rolling Stone

“A Bad White Girl.”
– Etta James 

Steve Conn

No Depression praises Steve Conn as an artist who “may be the best singer you’ve never heard.” But for those who have paid attention to his career for the past half century, Conn has been the benchmark for honest and soulful music. His lifelong search continues — poignant, humorous, at times heartbreaking — and listeners revere his truthful artistry and originality.  

Raised in Pineville, Louisiana, the son of Roy “Peanut” Conn — a renowned singer and swing jazz violinist — Conn taught himself to play piano and started writing songs in junior high. He has collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, Nanci Griffith, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Pops Staples, and hundreds more. When he moved to Nashville, Conn continued honing his songwriting while playing piano, organ, and accordion on hundreds of albums, twelve of which received Grammy nominations, including one as recently as 2024: Tracy Nelson’s Life Don’t Miss Nobody. In 1984, he released his first album Heart Full of Blues; in 1994, he issued River of Madness; and in 2003, he released his self-titled album, which features “Beautiful,” a haunting ballad later recorded by Bonnie Bramlett. 

SOPAC Member Benefits

Member Pre-Sale: Monday, September 16, 2024

Public on Sale: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Member Discounts: Members at the Advocate Level or higher ($65+) will receive a discounted ticket price.

Accessibility & Accommodation

If you or a member of your party needs assistance, please notify SOPAC at the time your tickets are purchased. Contact the SOPAC Box Office at (973) 313-2787 or boxoffice@SOPACnow.org.