2022 Deep Roots Fall Series – Tricia Walker & Danny Abraham @ Backdraft

Tricia Walker is a singer and songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Faith Hill, Patty Loveless and Alison Krauss, whose performance of Tricia’s Looking in the Eyes of Love earned a GRAMMY® award. A recording artist herself, Tricia has released eight studio recordings in multiple styles.

Tricia moved to Nashville where she worked as a songwriter for three different publishing companies, as a backing musician for Opry star Connie Smith, Shania Twain and Paul Overstreet, and founded the Original Women in the Round, one of the most celebrated foursomes at Nashville’s prestigious Bluebird Café,  with Pam Tillis, Karen Staley and Ashley Cleveland.

Tricia returned to her native Mississippi in 2006 to become director of the Delta Music Institute, an entertainment industry studies program at her alma mater, Delta State University. She retired from DSU in 2019 as Director Emerita, DMI, and Professor of the Practice Emerita in Entertainment Industry Studies. She is now serving as the music ambassador for the City of Cleveland, MS where she is leading the Deep Roots music initiative.

Danny Abraham, well-known Cleveland men’s clothier, started playing piano when he was six years old and played in bands and as a solo artist throughout his youth. “I played when I was at Ole Miss with a group that went all over recruiting students and was able to share the stage with celebrities like Bob Hope and others,” says Abraham. When I returned to Cleveland, to attend Delta State, I joined the campus music group Renaissance, and we literally toured all over the world. Even after I opened my store, Abraham’s, I continued to play with people whenever and wherever I could.”

Danny’s first CD, Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me, was a labor of love and faith. The gospel collection of all original compositions was produced by the legendary Gordon Mote and recorded in Nashville. Abraham said he was blessed to be surrounded by a number of talented and well-known musicians on his CD. From Cleveland/Delta business legend to gospel performer, Danny Abraham’s life is proof that with faith and hard work, anything and everything is possible.