I Hear Music Inc., is the brain child of Gospel Industry Executive Tracey Artis. Over the past twenty years, Artis has developed ground breaking ideas and concepts to enhance the exposure of the artists she has had the pleasure of working with side by side. These concepts later proved to be the foundation for her company I Hear Music, Inc which she began in 1999.
I Hear Music Inc., is a promotions and marketing firm that represents gospel artists and produces special events. The company’s most noted event, the annual I Hear Music in the Air Conference (now in its sixteenth year of success) is held every summer in Cincinnati, OH and is designed with specific educational tools that teach business-minded individuals how to market and be successful in the music industry and beyond. This innovative approach to teaching and enhancing individuals serves as the base of the company.
Tracey Artis
Tracey Artis is a renowned CEO, music executive, speaker, philanthropist, and published author.
Artis attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. While there she majored in Communications and served as the President of the Black Student Union. She started her career at AIR Gospel then served as the Vice President of Gospo Centric Records and Vice President of Sony Gospel before launching her promotions and marketing company, I Hear Music, Inc. that is currently is one of the leading firms in the industry with over 100 Gold & Platinum records and # 1 singles at Billboard and Mediabase (Radio and Records). Her work has been vital to the power and success of some of contemporary Gospel music’s biggest names and award – winning artists including Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Pastor Mike Jr., William Murphy, Mary Mary, Byron Cage, VaShawn Mitchell, Vickie Winans, Shirley Caesar, Charles Jenkins, Ricky Dillard, Brian Courtney Wilson, Andrae Crouch, Tramaine Hawkins, Marvin Winans, Dottie Peoples, Luther Barnes, Bishop Paul S. Morton and many others. The firm also produces the signature annual event; The I Hear Music in the Air Conference that is held in Cincinnati for over 24 years.
Artis is also a sought-after speaker and contributing expert to many publications and media outlets. She is also a prominent and key figure in the music industry and leads by example as she works alongside her colleagues on community projects and serving on national/local organization committees and boards including organizing the annual Midwest Black Family Reunion as the Executive Director and serving her community as a member of The Cincinnati (OH) Chapter of The Links Inc., Board Member for the National Association of Gospel Radio ( NAGR), Board Member with LHOI, The Princeton Alumni Association and as a Board Member for The Cincinnati Arts Association.
Tracey has been repeatedly honored for her services over the years. Her most recent awards include the John F. Barrett 2022 Entrepreneur Vision Award, 2023 Fifth Third Bank Black History Month Honoree and one of the 2023 African American Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame Inductees ( I Hear Music, Inc.) , William P. Abney Award, The NAACP Marian Spencer Award, NAGR ( National Association of Gospel Radio) Trailblazer Award, Presidents Cup Awards, Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati (2023), one of the 2024 YWCA Career “Women of Acheivement” and one of the 2024 Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce “We Are Making Black History” honorees, The Sister Accord Foundation 2025 Leadership Honoree, 2025 Cincinnati Enquirer “Women of The Year” honorees and many more.
Artis is a native of Cincinnati and is the wife of Bobby Artis and has two children Jazmyn and Jordan.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- 2007: Listed as a member of “10 to Watch” in arts and entertainment by the Cincinnati Enquirer
- 2009: Chosen as an “Unsung Hero” by Radio One
- 2010: Awarded CincinnatiHerald’s “Nefertiti Award” for Outstanding Achievement
- 2010: Named a “Dada Rafiki Honoree,” a Celebration of Sisterhood. Honored by the Eye of the Artists Foundation with a permanent collection of art at the Cincinnati Art Museum
- 2010: Recognized by The Eye of the Artists Foundation through a permanent collection of art at the Cincinnati Museum
- 2012: Awarded the “Wendall P. Abney Spirit Award for Diversity” from the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
- 2013: Earned two Gospel Music Workshop of America Awards: “The Crystal Mic Award” and “Lady of Distinction”
- 2013: Received the William P. Abney Spirit Award from the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- 2016: Voted “Most Influential” by the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio Leadership Academy
- 2016: Received the “Exemplar Award” at the All-White Party & Showcase, a Stellar Award event. Award presented by Byron Cage, Vicki Mack Lataillade, and Pastor Charles Jenkins
- 2018: Urban Soul Café Award Honoree
- 2021: Cincinnati NAACP Marian Spencer Award
- 2022:John F. Barrett 2022 Entrepreneur Vision Award
- Received the Gospel Heritage Conference Award for “Outstanding Achievement”
- Received the Who’s Who in Black Cincinnati Award
- The Radio One Unsung Hero Award
- The Ebony J Media “Queens Living Legend Award”
- Morgan A. Owens “I Am Black HERStory Honoree
- The Health Gap “Black Women’s Health Champion Award
- Princeton High School Distinguished Alumni Award
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND EVENT PARTICIPATION
- Member of the Princeton Education Foundation (2013 – current)
- Former president of the Princeton High School’s Alumni Association
- Current member of the community advisory board for The Hoxworth Blood Bank
- Current member of the Princeton City Schools Scholarship Board
- Produced the annual “Evening of Faith” event for the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
- Her company, I Hear Music, Inc., awards a scholarship annually to a senior at Princeton High School (her alma mater)
- Scheduled entertainment for the National Baptist Convention in Cincinnati (2017)
- Produced 3CDC’s Summer Gospel Series for Washington Park (2017) and Summer Gospel Series on Fountain Square (2016)
- Scheduled entertainment for the NAACP’s 107th Annual National Convention in Cincinnati (2016)
- Was a “Go Red For Women” member of the American Heart Association’s Greater Cincinnati chapter (2016 and 2015)
- Member of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Ambassador Group (2016)
- PTA president for Stewart Elementary School (2011- 2016)
- Produced two Gospel concerts for the Cincinnati Reds. Headliners: Grammy-award winning artists Fred Hammond (2015) and Donnie McClurkin (2014)
- Girl Scout Troop Leader for 8 years (2006 – 2014)