Tracy Nelson is a versatile roots music vocalist possessed of a resonant, throaty contralto. An internationally renowned interpreter of folk, country, blues, soul, and gospel, she's appeared on nearly 200 recordings. Her debut, Deep Are the Roots, was released in 1965. She co-founded and fronted Mother Earth, a blues-rock band, in 1967. An integral part of the Fillmore scene, they issued four albums beginning with 1967's Living with the Animals until dissolving after 1973's Poor Man's Paradise. They issued an eponymous album in 1974, and Sweet Soul Music and Time Is on My Side appeared in 1975 and 1976. Nelson signed to Rounder for 1983's In the Here and Now. 1998's Sing It was a collaboration with Marcia Ball and Irma Thomas. After 2011's Victim of the Blues, Nelson took a 12-year break from recording. She returned with Life Don't Miss Nobody in 2023.