TRACEY SHIELD BIOGRAPHY

Tracey Shield began singing when she was just 10 years old. She joined YOG (Coventry’s Youth Operetta Group) and stayed there happily for 11 years. During that time, Tracey learnt how to harmonise, audition for roles, act and dance. Tracey gained many main parts including the lead role in “Will Rogers Follies” playing the part of Betty Rogers.

At 21 Tracey, left YOG and by that time was the lead singer with the Kenilworth based band “The Poptarts”. Tracey was part of that line up for about 2 years before she moved on. Tracey says, ”The band wouldn’t ever let me sing a ballad song. I will always love you, was the big song back then and this was always asked for at gigs. The band never let me sing it with them. I think they were frightened someone would see me and maybe make me a star!”

Tracey continued to look for the next project, something that would show off her best talents. For a short period, Tracey took normal 9-5 work, first as a Beauty Therapist, Tracey says “…for me this was the worst job in the world, I would bruise people while waxing”. Later Tracey became a receptionist but always had one eye on the entertainment world. Tracey auditioned for everything from SClub7 to the Spice Girls. And even auditioned for Michael Barrymore’s My Kind of People, where she was filmed in Merry Hill Shopping Centre, Dudley but nothing came of it. It was never shown.

Next Tracey was given the chance to become a “Red Coat” and sing for a living! And so the Butlin’s chapter begins.

Tracey joined in September 1995 a bright and bushy eyed new singer and dancer. Tracey became a “Show Red”, so she didn’t have to perform the usual duties of a Redcoat, which was fine by her. “We performed about 5 shows a day, 6 days a week. I loved it at this time. The first team were so talented and included singers like Eddie Wallace still on the circuit today and comedian Simon King – says Tracey”

Later Tracey got the opportunity to audition for the “Billy Butlin Story” which was a one off show to be performed at the world famous London Palladium. Alvin Stardust was already lined up for the role of Billy Butlin. And Tracey landed lead female role of Lady Sheila Butlin. Tracey says “It wasn’t a big part but I did have a solo song all on my own on the vast London palladium stage. Quite a highlight for me at that time. And from this, went on a TV show called Boiled Egg and Soldiers, which had Adam (Coyote Ugly) Garcia as one of the presenters. He was just as cute then! Anyway, I came back down to earth and back into Butlin life. I left Butlins in the September of 1996”

Next a 6-month contract in Benidorm, Spain. This was as part of a resident and touring show. And later Tracey returned to England and joined The Tony Carnagie Show. Tracey says, “I learnt a lot during this time and this is where my Celine impersonation was created. People always wanted to hear my performance of Celine. It gave me the strength and opportunity to start my own show”.

During her time in the Tony Carnagie show Tracey met her now husband, Neil. Tracey says, “We met at the Seagull Inn in Brean Sands in May 1997. He was in his first season as DJ and entertainments manager. I was a shy, my head-in-book, don’t talk to anyone type of person”. After a few bookings at “The Seagull” venue, their friendship developed and finally got together in the August of 1998. Tracey says, “I have two people in my life to thank for what I have achieved so far, My mum for always standing by me and Neil my husband for giving me the confidence to go it alone. I’d be nothing without them.

Next - “Stars In Their Eyes”, the audition came after Tracey’s Mum sent off a tape of her singing “Think Twice”. Tracey had her first audition in Birmingham where she was asked to sing, “Because You Loved Me”. Her second audition was at Granada studios and this time she sang, “All Coming Back To Me Now” and “The Reason”. Tracey passed this audition went through to the TV show. On the show Tracey again was asked to sing All Coming Back To Me Now, secretly she wished they had given her “The Reason” to sing as this is one of her favourite Celine songs. Filming for Stars In Their Eyes took place in July 2000 and it first aired in October 2000. Tracey won her heat, and the live grand final took place on December 2nd 2000. Tracey came third at the final with 132,000 phone votes. Tracey saw this as a little stepping-stone for her Celine Show.

Some more words to finish by Tracey Shield. (Ambitions)

“I have been so lucky to have performed all over the world as myself and with my “Celine Show”. I hope for more to come. My ambition has always been to be a big superstar, winning Grammy’s and Oscars (just so I can walk down the red carpet waving at people), and whether this happens or not I’ve been lucky in my career and very happy with what life passes my way. Here’s another ambition, I would love to play Elphaba in the musical “Wicked” either on Broadway or West End I’m not fussy!

I would love to be a mummy, but being a mummy to Jasper a West Highland Terrier is enough for now”.

(And finally)

“I truly believe everything happens for a reason. You experience things and people in your life so you can learn and grow. Not everything is what it seems. I’ve had bad experiences and been treated pretty badly by people but I’ve always come out on top. Just believe in yourself and you can do anything”. Love Tracey x