Pastors Pen Reflection

   "We all must live our lives always feeling, always thinking the moment has arrived."

 Dear <<Name>>
      This is the third week of Black History month and while I was listening to my IPOD the other day I heard a song by Tracy Chapman and thought I should find out more information about her. Thus, today's person I will highlight is Tracy Chapman.
 
Tracy was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 30, 1964, and at a young age, she moved with her family to Connecticut. While attending Tufts University in Massachusetts, studying anthropology and African studies, Chapman began writing music and performing in Boston, and recorded songs at the local WMFO radio station.
 
She caught her big break in 1986, when a friend's father introduced her to a manager at Elektra Records, and soon recorded Tracy Chapman (1988). The album's most popular single, "Fast Car," landed at No. 5 on the U.K. charts and No. 6 on the U.S. charts. Several years later, Chapman released New Beginning (1995), another widely acclaimed album, which was carried by the hit song "Give Me One Reason." Though her 1995 success has yet to be matched, Chapman stays busy as an activist, speaking and performing on behalf of various organizations.
 
Chapman received several honors following the release of Tracy Chapman, including three Grammy Awards in 1989—for best new artist, best female pop vocal performer and best contemporary folk album.
 
Though becoming a three-time Grammy winner is quite an accomplishment for any musician's first project, Chapman didn't waste any time before working on her next one. Between performing songs from her Grammy Award–winning album, she continued to write and make rounds back to the studio to record Crossroads (1989), which she also co-produced. Chapman dedicated one song on the album, "Freedom Now," to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Though the album didn't receive the same acclaim as her first, it did find a place on Billboard's 200, as well as other industry charts.
 
Outside of her musical career, Chapman has long worked as an activist, speaking and performing on behalf of several nonprofit organizations, including the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. During a 2003 event  Chapman performed a memorable duet with Bonnie Raitt, of the John Prine song "Angel From Montgomery." You can read more about Chapman at the following link.  http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/

Blessing 
Rev Terri