Born January 27, 1968, in Atlanta, TX, Tracy Lawrence grew up in a very Christian family of 2 brothers and 3 sisters.  He  attended church camp and at that time considered becoming a Minister until he found country music and decided that is what he wanted to do.  As his music career took off making him one of the  most successful artist’s of the 90’s,  Tracy also got a reputation as a hell raiser.  As his career continued to sore Tracy’s life went by means of ups and downs and he took time off to put his life in perspective.

Tracy finally settled his demons down and put his focus on his wife and two children, got back into the church and found that place he was at peace with as a child that had him wanting to become a Minister.  With his parents constantly asking him to record a Christian Record, Tracy finally was where he felt he needed to be to record such an album and that album is his first Grammy Nomination for “The Rock”.

I recently had a chance to talk with Tracy about his first Grammy Nomination and life in general.

Countryfannetwork:  Tracy its been awhile since your last nomination for your work in country music, how does it feel to be nominated for your first Grammy in the category  “Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album“?

Tracy Lawrence:  There where a lot of years of highs and lows, good and bad times, I was resolved to the fact that I was never going to be Entertainer of The Year and I am okay with that.  But to be nominated for a Grammy for “The Rock” is unimaginable.  I am really pleased with the success we have had with “The Rock” but I wish it had more play on radio.  It means a lot to me, more so because I recorded it with my Road Band for the first time.

CFN:  Did you life experiences over the 20 years have any part in “The Rock”?

TL:  Absolutely, I didn’t go searching for the music, when I heard the songs i connected immediately with the music and the lyrics.

CFN:  The album flows like a story, chapter after chapter.  Did you mean for it to flow like that?

TL:  Absolutely, “Lessons Learned” was the first album that flowed like that for me, I always tried to make a complete top to bottom album.  Its a thing of the past in this industry.  I would  love to see it come back it makes the albums more personal that way, at-least to me they become that way.

CFN:  What where you doing when you found out you where nominated for your First Grammy?

TL:  I was on a hunting trip and out of cell range until we hit South Texas and I got the call.  I was completely blown away.  It was such an unbelievable feeling.  Man, I never thought I would get a Grammy Nomination.

CFN:  After 20 years in the business did you ever think that your time in the spot light was over?

TL:  This year was filled with a lot of struggles to compete from a smaller label.  There was a lot of frustrations, but we stayed positive.  The major labels are not pushing the traditional country sound even though the fans still want it.

CFN:  Are you talking the traditional sounds of Chris Ledoux, Mark Chestnut, Randy Travis etc.?

TL:  Absolutely, and not just them there are many others also.  Chris Ledoux was as passionate and incredible as they come.

Tracy Lawrence is as down to earth as they come and would love  country music go back to its traditions and roots.  Today’s country needs to get back to the beginning  to be able to really understand what it is all about.  Tracy has become very humble in life, and the things he does and just wants people not to forget where they come from and to take care of each other and always remember that God is always there for us no matter what happens.