TRACY’S FANS
The most loyal, most diehard, most dependable fans are country music fans. They stand head and shoulders above the fans in any other format. Just reflecting back on the last CMA Music Fest, the one thing I heard most often from them was, "Thank you so much for continuing to do the things you do for your fans." They don't get that anywhere else and they genuinely appreciate it more than I think they ever have. They know we do it by choice. It's a mutual loyalty, and it's something I will continue to do as long as I'm healthy. I love my fans. Their love and loyalty allows me to do something I have a passion for--my music--and for that I'm extremely grateful.
TRACY LAWRENCE: THE VISION
My long-term goal has always been to get to that Haggard and Jones level, to be one of the elder statesmen who continues to influence people and leave his mark etched on this world even when radio no longer plays his current releases. I'm a long way from that point, but I see some of those things happening now in the way some of the younger artists approach me and share that I've been an influence on their music and their careers. You can't fully achieve that respect from peers and the industry until you're truly seasoned, but in the meantime, I'm very proud to be part of the country music business. I love what I do. I hope I can perform until they wheel me away.
TRACY’S HOME AND FAMILY
Having children gave me much-needed responsibility. It forced me to stop thinking about myself. I can't sleep 'til 11 anymore. There's too much life to be lived that I would otherwise miss. Sometimes I get up at 6:30 in the morning, have a cup of coffee, get the babies--Skylar JoAnn and Mary Keagan--up and let my wife Becca sleep in a little bit. I'm in such a different place now and I attribute every bit of it to my stability at home, my relationship with my wife, and the responsibility of having children. There is a great deal of peace and happiness in my personal life, and my wife and children contribute so much to who I am as a person. I believe in putting family first, not neglecting the people who love you and stand behind you. That's the biggest priority in my life. You don't really understand what love is until you have children. To me, it has been the greatest milestone of my life. I never really understood what I was here for until I had children. They are, without a doubt, the most important thing I have ever done in my life.
TRACY CARRYING IT FORWARD
There's so much I want to do beyond being an artist. I do a lot of things on the business and management side of music. I have served and will continue to serve on the governing boards for organizations like the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA). I want to be an ambassador for the industry as a whole. I want to help people avoid some of the mistakes I've made during my career. James [Stroud] and I have often discussed what an influence I could have on other artists in this business. I try to reach out to a lot of the new ones coming in, to give them a personal call, just literally to be a friend and offer them honesty and experience when sometimes nobody else will.
TRACY ADDRESSES CHARITY
Something important that my former manager Wayne Edwards instilled in me as my career was taking off, and something that sticks with me to this day, is the importance of giving back. It's just ingrained in my soul. He'd say, “If we're going to be successful and enjoy all the perks and accolades of success in this business, we can never forget the people that are people who need our help." I have carried that with me and will instill it in my children. As long as I have a breath in me it will be a part of my life to contribute something back to this world.”
TRACY LAWRENCE: KEEPING IT ALL IN CHECK
There was a time when every decision I made, every contact I made, and every move I made had a direct affect on my career. I am in such a different and better place now that I have come to understand that there are so many more important things in life than just working yourself and everyone around you into the ground. I am passionate and driven when it comes to my career, in many ways more passionate and more driven than ever, but friends and family and relationships are truly the real and powerful things in life. When I get old and gray, the bank account won't keep me warm. The plaques on the wall won't snuggle up with me at night. The friends and the love that I have for the people around me mean so much more than all the rest of it put together. That simple four-letter word [love] keeps everything in perspective.
