Kristie McCracken is considered to be one of Vancouver’s most promising, young vocal talents and she’s coming to Salmon Arm this Sunday.
McCracken spends much of her time as songwriter, singer and guitarist for local R&B/Pop group The Ponderosas. This is a band whose world music and reggae-infused sound has gained them quite a following in the local Vancouver music scene, performing alongside artists including The Boom Booms, Daniel Wesley, Buckman Coe, and Dawn Pemberton.
“Kristie McCracken isn’t just another pretty face, not just another talented singer-songwriter, and how do I know this? Because I’ve known her since she was born,” raves her aunt and local author Kay McCracken. “She’s a young woman who has made her parents and extended family proud because of the person she is...”
As a teenager, she was part of the Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach Program and went on to study music at UBC. She has just completed her first year of the music therapy program at Capilano University, making her way onto the dean’s list in the process.
McCracken is also a member of a Vancouver-based reggae band, Natural Flavas, and has performed alongside legends such as Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles, Barrington Levy and Toots and the Maytals. Other internationally acclaimed artists she has performed with include Shaggy, Easy Star All Stars, Kae Sun, Taj Weekes and Adowa, and Steele.
McCracken is releasing her first full-length solo album this month. Let Go & Grow showcases her vocal talent but also hints at the breadth of her songwriting, which ranges from heavily Latin-influenced acoustic numbers like Lullaby, a song written to her brother while he struggled with addiction, to the neo-soul and vintage soul sounds of Retrograde and Where Are You.
The album features a song co-written and produced by three-time Grammy award-winner Chin Injeti.
McCracken will perform from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Wicked Spoon.