Tracy Johnson

by David Jeffries Although the first song she wrote -- when she was only eight -- was titled "Waltzing with the Turtles and Dancing with the Ducks," singer/songwriter Tracy Johnson's style evolved into something quite different as she grew older. The Minnetonka, MN, native is known for combining melancholic and poignant lyrics with uptempo pop and rock-influenced music. After a move to San Diego, Johnson released her debut EP, Oceans Under Jupiter, in 2005. Two songs from the release ended up being used on the MTV series The Real World, while XM Satellite Radio put another couple tracks on their playlist. In 2007 she referenced the cold winters of her home state when she named her debut album Dreams in Cold Weather.