Top Gun Despite A Recent Slowdown In Country Music, Tracy Lawrence’s Popularity Keeps Soaring

Thu., Aug. 14, 1997

Don Adair Correspondent

Tracy Lawrence is a young man in a hurry.

Lawrence called last week from his home in Nashville to talk about his new album, his tour and life in general. His interviews were scheduled in 15-minute increments and Lawrence didn’t waste any of them, answering questions in staccato but thoughtful fashion.

Lawrence, who’s newest single, “How A Cowgirl Says Goodbye,” is No. 4 on the charts this week, has been one of the few bright spots for country music as the juggernaut has peaked in the past couple of years.

“My numbers are up; I haven’t felt it,” he said of the country-music slowdown.

Indeed, in 1996, when total country music record sales declined 12 percent, Lawrence’s sales jumped 69 percent, on the strength of his fifth LP, “Time Marches On,” which produced four Top 5 singles.

His new record, “The Coast is Clear,” was released in March and has already spawned two hits, “Better Man, Better Off,” and “Cowgirl.”

Now, Lawrence said, his focus is on his show.”We’ve been working on the show a lot,” he said of the summer tour which brings him to Silver Mountain Saturday. “Tweaking up the lights and adding bells and whistles for the fall tour.”

Lawrence wants to make his show “a little more theatrical, with better colors schemes.

“I want to make the lights and the mood match the song better from my perspective on stage.”

That means sitting in a small room with a videotape of each night’s show, working and re-working the staging of each song to make it just so.

Unlike other stars, Lawrence doesn’t work with choreographers or set designers.

“I’ve very active in every aspect of my show; I just like being hands-on. My music is a reflection of who I am, my state of mind and what I want to say. And I want things to be the way they should be.”

Despite the emphasis on stage craft, Lawrence says he’s not interested in pyrotechnics or overpowering design.

“I’m trying to be subtle and use good taste, rather than overproducing the show.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: Tracy Lawrence performs Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Silver Mountain Amphitheatre in Kellogg. Tickets are $27.50, $21.50 for general admission, available through G&B Select-a-Seat.

Tracy Lawrence performs Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Silver Mountain Amphitheatre in Kellogg. Tickets are $27.50, $21.50 for general admission, available through G&B; Select-a-Seat.

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