November 27, 2008

Thankful to be living her musical fantasy

By Shana McLean Moore
Staff Writer

During this, the season to pause, reflect and verbalize gratitude for the things going right in our lives, it’s a given we’ll look first to the big blessings of health, harmony or having a job in a tough economy. But there are smaller things, too, that we need to credit for giving us a reason to smile, dance or, in the case of Almaden’s Tracy Hoefer, belt it out like a rock star.

Almaden’s own Tracy Hoefer, the rock star next door.

At the advanced rock-star age of 49, Hoefer is realizing more of a fantasy than a dream by being the latest addition to FreeFahlen, a classic rock cover band, now comprised of three Almaden residents. The band performs at local venues like Sonoma Chicken Coop (both in Almaden and in Campbell) and UnWined, as well as at private parties, festivals and cabana club gatherings.

“The way our band came together is a great message about community,” Hoefer said. “When our son Kyle was in kindergarten at Los Alamitos nine years ago, we met so many fun people who became our friends. We started having parties and the music just came from there. Tom Fahlen (lead singer and guitarist) and my husband Jeff, who also plays guitar, started jamming at the parties and now it’s come to this dream come true.”

While Hoefer started out as the band’s manager, she got sucked into the energy of live performance at some of the band’s gigs. Now, along with Fahlen and husband Jeff, she’s officially on the roster for vocals and assorted percussion. The band is also rounded out with Jon Rask on drums and Rob Simon on bass guitar.

The music was a natural fit for Hoefer as a gal who spent her youth wanting to be a DJ for a rock music station. In fact, she came close in her 20s by winning KFOG’s “I Want to Be a DJ” contest, giving her a $5,000 scholarship to the Bailey School of Broadcasting and a chance to spend a morning shift on air at the station. From there, Hoefer spent a short time working for KLIV radio in production, but ended up finding more steady work as an associate producer at By Video and, eventually, worked for the YMCA.

Jeff and Tracy Hoefer, living their dreams out loud… with amps. Photos by Jeff Hoefer

Though her work life didn’t provide her with a professional vehicle for her interest in music, Tracy maintained a private passion for rock and roll by singing along with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Lynryd Skynryd, Van Halen and the Rolling Stones both in her car and as she jogged the streets of Almaden, much to the amusement of passersby.

“We should have known Tracy would find this outlet for her music,” said friend, Angela McDougal, with a chuckle. “How many people in their 40s do you know who have a wooden guitar without strings that they use as an upgraded ‘air guitar’ to jam with?”

Hoefer has now traded her pretend guitar for a tambourine and shakers when she practices for a few hours each week with the band to prepare for their weekend gigs. While she enjoys the opportunity to practice, she really loves the thrill of a live audience. “It’s fantastic! When the dance floor fills with people—that’s what it’s all about.”

FreeFahlen groupies, those same friends from the kindergarten days and others who have discovered the thrill of following a band of familiar faces to different gigs around town, appreciate the passion these later-in-life rock stars have for their music.

One such friend from the kindergarten days, Carrie Woodley, loves to watch Hoefer perform. “She adds so much to the band—she’s in her element and looks so comfortable up there. I especially love to see her on stage with Jeff. It’s great to see a husband and wife do something like this together,” said Woodley.

Longtime friend Dorothy Fair who has known Tracy since their high school days at Leland is just as enthusiastic, and proud. “Once kids come along, we parents tend to reprioritize our dreams in favor of theirs,” said Fair. “I just love to see my very dear friend – who has been a Bruce Springsteen fanatic since ninth grade – realize her dream. She is an involved mom and a caretaker for her father and the music is such a great release for her,” she added.

The dream, it appears, comes with some real rock star moments, like the night when a young woman approached Jeff Hoefer, pointed at Tracy and said, “I’m jealous—I want to be that chick in the band.” It was fun for both husband and wife alike that he could respond, “That chick is my wife.”

The fact that all of this has started happening as Hoefer approaches her 50th birthday makes it that much sweeter to savor. And while she will surely toast her big-picture blessings this Thanksgiving, there might be a whispered thank you for the opportunity to live the life of a part-time rock star.

For a calendar of events and more information about FreeFahlen, visit: www.freefahlen.com.