MONROE - Home is no less than the heart of Tracy Bristow, Monroe, and the name of her first CD released in late August.
Filled with songs from her childhood, the album features Bristow's sweet, soothing voice, surrounded by those of her children and siblings.
"Everybody sings, though none of us is professional," Bristow said.
Bristow has been singing with Bel Canto for 24 years. She also sings on her church worship team, at Monroe Theatre Guild shows and at weddings.
She grew up singing at school, at church and at home with her sisters, Nadine (Patchin) Whiteman and Lisa (Patchin) Parker, and brothers, Scott and Craig Patchin. They all join Bristow, in one song or another, on the album, while Craig Patchin adds his guitar to the music.
"Our parents instilled a love of music in all of us kids. We'd gather on Sundays, ate and sang," she said.
Though the family has fewer gatherings now, the tradition of singing together was passed down to the grandchildren. Bristow's children Adair and Callie join in the vocals and Aaron plays the upright bass on the album.
Six years in the making, the album was recorded by Bill Rients at Garden Studio Audio Creations in Monroe and was mastered by Doug Jones at Telstar Studios, McFarland.
Production was a difficult, hard process, but no part of the album was a struggle, Bristow said. She discovered she was surrounded by talented musicians.
"Bill Rients and I ran into each other at musical events," she said. "He was willing to be creative with me."
Dave Treuthardt, on bass, is on the worship team with her at Crossroads Community Church.
"Dave looked at the songs and helped create what I wanted them to be," she said.
Other musicians include Joel Brantmeier on drums and percussion, Barb Nemec on banjo and Bill Rients on the mandolin.
The songs Bristow choose for the album are a mixture of folk, bluegrass and gospel music.
"These are songs I have loved a long time and have sung with the family," she said. "But it came down to one thing, taking care of the listeners."
The songs are meant to encourage the listener and make them feel good - that life is all right, she said. Bristow feels she made the right choices.
"It's fun, because some people listen to it and say, 'it made me cry,'" she said.
But the album was made primarily for Bristow's family, a slightly bitter-sweet accomplishment.
"Mom (Jan Patchin) passed away in June," she said. "She was planning her funeral and wanted us three girls to sing 'Gentle Healer.' But I told her we just couldn't; we wouldn't get through it. So we played our recording."
Bristow's father, Al Patchin, was never an avid singer in the musically talented family; although, he "listens to music like other people watch television," Bristow said.
"Technically it was from mom that we learned to read music. Dad just loves it, and knows what he likes," she said.
When the album was completed, with a picture of a 4-year-old Tracy on the cover, Bristow handed a copy to her father.
"Dad just stared at it a long time," she said.
"Home" by Tracy Bristow is not available in stores, but can be purchased by e-mailing requests to datac@wekz.net, or by calling (608) 329-7061.
Filled with songs from her childhood, the album features Bristow's sweet, soothing voice, surrounded by those of her children and siblings.
"Everybody sings, though none of us is professional," Bristow said.
Bristow has been singing with Bel Canto for 24 years. She also sings on her church worship team, at Monroe Theatre Guild shows and at weddings.
She grew up singing at school, at church and at home with her sisters, Nadine (Patchin) Whiteman and Lisa (Patchin) Parker, and brothers, Scott and Craig Patchin. They all join Bristow, in one song or another, on the album, while Craig Patchin adds his guitar to the music.
"Our parents instilled a love of music in all of us kids. We'd gather on Sundays, ate and sang," she said.
Though the family has fewer gatherings now, the tradition of singing together was passed down to the grandchildren. Bristow's children Adair and Callie join in the vocals and Aaron plays the upright bass on the album.
Six years in the making, the album was recorded by Bill Rients at Garden Studio Audio Creations in Monroe and was mastered by Doug Jones at Telstar Studios, McFarland.
Production was a difficult, hard process, but no part of the album was a struggle, Bristow said. She discovered she was surrounded by talented musicians.
"Bill Rients and I ran into each other at musical events," she said. "He was willing to be creative with me."
Dave Treuthardt, on bass, is on the worship team with her at Crossroads Community Church.
"Dave looked at the songs and helped create what I wanted them to be," she said.
Other musicians include Joel Brantmeier on drums and percussion, Barb Nemec on banjo and Bill Rients on the mandolin.
The songs Bristow choose for the album are a mixture of folk, bluegrass and gospel music.
"These are songs I have loved a long time and have sung with the family," she said. "But it came down to one thing, taking care of the listeners."
The songs are meant to encourage the listener and make them feel good - that life is all right, she said. Bristow feels she made the right choices.
"It's fun, because some people listen to it and say, 'it made me cry,'" she said.
But the album was made primarily for Bristow's family, a slightly bitter-sweet accomplishment.
"Mom (Jan Patchin) passed away in June," she said. "She was planning her funeral and wanted us three girls to sing 'Gentle Healer.' But I told her we just couldn't; we wouldn't get through it. So we played our recording."
Bristow's father, Al Patchin, was never an avid singer in the musically talented family; although, he "listens to music like other people watch television," Bristow said.
"Technically it was from mom that we learned to read music. Dad just loves it, and knows what he likes," she said.
When the album was completed, with a picture of a 4-year-old Tracy on the cover, Bristow handed a copy to her father.
"Dad just stared at it a long time," she said.
"Home" by Tracy Bristow is not available in stores, but can be purchased by e-mailing requests to datac@wekz.net, or by calling (608) 329-7061.