*"I've
always been drawn to songs about family and day-to-day life.
It's like searching for a good book or a great movie. I tend to
search for songs with strong messages, songs that present an
interesting perspective or put a different twist on a story, the
ones that paint a picture and come to life in the mind of the
listener. That's the material I like to sink my teeth into and
that's what my fans have come to expect from me."
While
listening to an album with so many hit songs that span so many
years, each song is like a mile marker on a life journey. Each
tune summons up memories of another time and another place and
"If the World had a Front Porch," Tracy Lawrence would
be right at home. He has perfected the art of singing our lives
and few others can fill a song to over-flowing with emotion the
way he can. Then & Now: The Hit's Collection is an
anthology of fourteen wonderfully familiar hits, the original
version of "Paint Me A Birmingham" and two marvelous
new songs that make this an exceptionally enjoyable album and a
must have for any serious collector of classic country.
*"My
music is a direct reflection of each corner I've turned in life.
Each album I've recorded has been directly influenced by where I
was in my personal life and what was going on around me. Now
that I've stepped into a new chapter of life, people say to me,
"So now your music's going to change because you've got a
family and all these things." I respond by explaining that
my music has always changed and evolved. There are always going
to be new elements to add to it. I don't think you lose all the
things that made you who you were before--you just build on
them. Each chapter you open in life makes you deeper, wiser, and
a much more well-rounded human being and artist."
Lawrence
has always been forthright about his intent in this business;
from the beginning he proclaimed he was in it for the long haul.
His goal; longevity. To that end, he has already acquired more
number one singles and more platinum albums than the majority of
his peers and even more than some of the music heroes he aspires
to emulate. His long list of awards and career accomplishments
are impressive and his dedication to his goal is evident in his
manner, his voice and his stage presence.
*"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."
Then
& Now was co-produced by Lawrence and James Stroud;
clearly a partnership that works well. Lawrence
has said that Stroud urges him to challenge himself and push
himself musically and the end result is evident throughout this
album, as it was on their previous collaborations. As "Time
Marches On," it has been good to Lawrence; his unique voice
only keeps getting better. Fifteen indisputable hits, plus
"Used To The Pain" and "If I Don't Make It
Back," proves he hasn't lot sight of his goal. With a track
record like his, I'd say longevity is pretty much a given.
*All
quotes from www.tracylawrence.com
