Lewis and Kevin Nealon. That was very cool.”

The success of “According to Jim,” with Jim Belushi, allows Tracy to pursue music without having to worry about money. It’s also a pioneering time with Internet marketing, where performers can put out their own music and maybe even make a living. Tracy’s TV credits are a big help in that regard, she says. “But there’s a difference between being a successful writer and being a successful actor who might be recognized for his/her accomplishments. I’ve made this switch to music, but I’m not well-known on sight, so unless someone introduces me as co-creator of ‘According to Jim,’ the audience has no idea of me other than as this older woman who sings her own songs and plays guitar pretty well.”

Newman promises to have as much success with her music career as with her writing. Her song “I Just See You” was recently announced as a winner in an international contest with entries by more than 350,000 songwriters. As a result, her song will be part of a high-profile compilation CD released this fall called “Life in the Years,” with superstar artists like Carly Simon and Natalie Merchant performing songs to raise awareness about health care issues for the aging.

She’s also involved with producer Travis Allen’s website, www.myrecordlabel.com, designed to be a major hub for independent artist. “I’m really having a ball with that website,” Newman says. “In fact, I’m having fun with every aspect of this business. I’m sending my songs out to contests, mostly losing, but sometimes winning. I’m getting airplay on radio shows and fan email from all over the world. Besides enjoying my music, I think people are fascinated by the fact that I’ve returned to this career and I’m over 50… way over 50. And I’m a woman. Who’s going to be interested in seeing or hearing me? The odds are against it.

“In 1985, I was trying to ‘make it’ as a songwriter. I had a lot