A veteran Pacific Northwest folk singer with childhood roots in Haines will perform Sept. 28 at the Chilkat Center auditorium in a concert that will be recorded for a CD and feature a locally-made guitar.
The daughter of a travel writer and a photographer, Tracy Spring lived here as a youth and performed as a member of the Chilkat Dancers, said Haines Arts Council president Tom Heywood.
A full-time musician from Bellingham, Wash., Spring visited last year and that rekindled her local interest. “When she was here last year, she felt like she was coming home.” Playing in the center lobby and learning about the auditorium’s acoustics inspired the upcoming show.
Spring also met guitar-maker Rob Goldberg, and asked him about building a smaller instrument, but with an elongated neck for playing slide guitar.
The guitar also has a specially contoured back, Goldberg said. “For 500 years, guitars have been shaped like a woman’s body. This one is shaped for a woman’s body.”
Heywood said he’s hoping for a big crowd, as the instrument should sound impressive in the hall. “We’re hoping we can give her a big boost here.”
The CD may become the first release recorded in the center, Heywood said. “There’ve been recorded concerts but they haven’t turned into a CD that I’m aware of.”
Spring has won multiple regional awards for her compelling vocals, versatile guitar playing and reflective songwriting.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m.