You can’t think of Texas Music and not think of Tracy Lawrence. His distinctive voice dominated country radio in the ’90s and early 2000s. From “Alibis” to “Stars Over Texas” to “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” radio stations just couldn’t seem to get enough of Lawrence. This country star was born in Atlanta, Texas. While he spent most of his youth growing up in Arkansas (and adulthood in Nashville), the truth is he’s still a good ol’ Texas boy who helped blaze the way for droves of Texas Music artists today.
Lifestyle
A Voice as Big as Texas: Tracy Lawrence Blazed a Path for Texas Musicians
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Stars Over Texas
Photo: www.facebook.com/TracyLawrence
Singing and songwriting just seemed to come naturally to Tracy. He “wrote” his first song at the age of four (his mom being his scribe) and joined his first band at the age of sixteen. A few years later, he packed his bags and headed to Nashville, where he worked odd jobs and honed his skills until landing a gig with Atlantic Records. A proverbial star was born, and Tracy found himself charting his first number one with “Sticks and Stones.” From there, his career skyrocketed. His next three records had at least one chart-topping hit each. Lawrence also was voted Best New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music in 1993.
Lessons Learned
Photo: Tracy with Jason Aldean. www.facebook.com/TracyLawrence
Success aside, (as with any true renegade, rebel, or rogue), Tracy has had his fair share of run-ins with the law. 1996 found him tangled up in a scandal for which he was never convicted. A reckless endangerment and spousal abuse charge in 1998 did stick, however. Lawrence readily accepted the punishment but was firm in stating that he did not assault his (then) wife. 2003 brought more trouble for Tracy, with a misdemeanor battery charge. He was fined, and he announced he would voluntarily seek counseling. Lawrence seemed to settle his rowdy ways for the next few years, but 2011 found him in a scuffle again. A misunderstanding on the parking of his tour bus led to a confrontation with the property owner. Both Tracy and the owner were charged with disorderly conduct. All charges were ultimately dropped.
It’s All How You Look At It
Photo: www.facebook.com/TracyLawrence
The 2000’s also brought good things to Lawrence. His sixth album, “Lessons Learned,” saw the title track rank on the Top 40 pop charts. In 2003, his lovelorn ballad “Paint Me a Birmingham” peaked at number four. A compilation titled “Then & Now: The Hits Collection” also brought measurable success. In January of 2007, he earned his first number one hit in 11 years, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.” An alternate version featuring fellow country artists Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney even earned the 2007 CMA’s Musical Event of the Year. Tracy Lawrence was back on top of his game.
The Singer
Photo: www. tracylawrence.com
Since then, Tracy has been busy with his own record label, country radio show, and recording new music. He currently leads all artists with a whopping 19 career-opening top 10 Billboard singles, has sold over 13 million albums worldwide, and has 2.8 million Youtube fans.
Says Lawrence, “If you’re a lawyer, you put your suit on every day and you go to work. I go to work. I put my uniform on and I go do my job. I’ve been blessed” Lucky for us, Tracy loves his job and is still eager to do it each and every day. Sounds like he’s still just a good ol’ hard working Texas boy at heart.
