The show must go on....In memory of Michael Bracy

Michael Bracy was a one of a kind. Maybe more so than anyone I’ve ever met. To know him was to love him. To work with him, was to learn from him. To be yelled at by him, was to make you a better human being.

I knew Michael by reputation long before we met. The shoes I had to fill when he left 12th and Porter seemed enormous. I don’t remember how we first met, and like most people, I surely didn’t know at the time how important a part of my life he would become. He touched my life in immeasurable ways, much like I’m sure he did all of yours. He had his own unique and powerful way of teaching you, not just how to be better at your craft, but more importantly, how to want to be better. A better musician, a better engineer, a better human. It was, and will continue to be an honor, to be mentioned in the same sentence as him and 12th.

Michael’s ears were world class. Whether he was listening intently to your band, your record, or a mix, he could provide more insight than most. Though to the people he loved, those ears would also intently listen to your words, your fears, your concerns, or anything you would share with him. He’d listen, not just waiting to respond, but to truly understand you. He would give you advice, answers, opinions, and make you laugh in a way that made you thankful for him just to listen. He might give you advice, or tell you a story. He might tell you about an album you should listen to, or an idea to try. His favorite thing to tell you about though, was his son Ian, the person in the world he was more proud of than anyone or anything. Rightfully so.

Michael had his dark times. He had loss. Things we can’t even imagine, or maybe, don’t ever want to. And still, he soldiered on. He survived. He fought, not just back, but through. He was strong. Strong in a way everyone wants to be, but few really can be.

Bracy will be missed. Not just in Nashville’s production world, not just by his friends, but by the world. There weren’t enough people like him out there, and now, there is sadly one less. A loss none of us could afford, and none of us will ever forget.

This GoFundMe is simple. It’s for the benefit of Michael’s son Ian who even as we speak, is sorting through his dad’s life, trying to tie up loose ends, and help his father find his final resting place.

I encourage everyone to donate what they can for Michael and the people he loved the most in this world. He gave us so much more than we deserved, it’s the least we can do.

E=MC2 (+/-3db)