Outstanding Artist in Music: Individual artists whose work within their field has made a significant impact within the discipline over five years or more.
Tracey Thomas
Tracey Thomas, an iconic voice of the “Akron Sound,” released her highly anticipated new album, Words Can’t Save Us Now, alongside her first memoir, Little Miss Akron, on January 31, 2025. This dual release marks a significant milestone in Thomas’ illustrious career, showcasing her continued growth as an artist and storyteller after a 40+ year career in music.
Words Can’t Save Us Now is Thomas’ first album since 2020 and her first collaboration with her longtime producer and collaborator Ryan Humbert (of The Shootouts) since her 2012 release, Queen of Nothing.
In conjunction with the album, Tracey’s memoir, Little Miss Akron, offers an intimate look into her life. From her beginnings on the pageant stage to her time on the concert stage as the lead singer of legendary Akron band Unit 5, Little Miss Akron reflects on a music career spanning over four decades. The book is infused with Thomas’ signature humor, grit, and heartfelt honesty.
With a distinctive voice and poignant lyrics, she started her career as the lead singer of the legendary Akron Sound band Unit 5 from 1979 to 1982. Since Unit 5, Thomas has released eight albums of original material as a solo artist, plus a career-spanning “best of” in 2012.
Tracey has been influenced by many diverse musical styles. She blends elements of folk, rock, and Americana to create her unique rustbelt sound. She crafts songs that resonate with themes of love, resilience, trauma, and personal growth. Along the way she has shared the stage with everyone from Judy Collins and The Black Keys to The Dead Boys and The Waitresses.
