The Real Tracy Fields grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. Records spun by her father and older brothers initially shaped her taste: Count Basie with Joe Williams (on 78!), Motown, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, War, and many others.

After her brothers left for college, she turned to radio. When she followed them to what is now Hampton University, she joined the staff of the college station, WHOV – and learned she was a natural  broadcaster.

After a couple of summer jobs in radio, she went to graduate school in Atlanta, ultimately landing at WCLK. But earning her master’s degree led to a “real job” as a reporter with The Associated Press.

The AP sent her to Miami. There, she focused on the news business for several years, with a brief stint at WDNA. Volunteer pitching during a 1995 fund drive led to her joining the staff at WLRN as a part-timer, a position she holds to this day.

When Len Pace retired as host of Evenin’ Jazz, popular demand for a live, local host led to Fields’ selection as replacement. The Real Tracy Fields has hosted Evenin’ Jazz since March 2010.