Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170021
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: REBECCA THOMAS THE ORLANDO SENTINEL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``Every free minute, it feels like, you spend in the studio or on a bus,'' he said of his hectic schedule. This month Lawrence finds himself back on the road, preparing for a stop at the Salem Civic Center on Wednesday.
As if to prove his point, he was talking from a Nashville, Tenn., studio while on a break from recording an upcoming album, set to be released in the first part of 1996 and tentatively titled ``Time Marches On.'' That is an appropriate title for someone who said he sometimes feels as if there isn't enough time in the day. The album will be his fifth in five years.
Still, he doesn't regret the whirlwind of activity that has taken over his life since ``Sticks & Stones'' debuted in 1991.
``In the past five years, many things have changed,'' he said. ``After a few hits, it makes it a lot easier to gain creative freedom with a label and become more comfortable with the music. I love being involved. I'm always looking for something new to soak in.''
As an example, Lawrence said he looks at the making of the ``Tracy Lawrence Live'' album, his most recent, as his biggest learning experience to date.
``It was the hardest album [yet],'' he said. ``It was much more difficult because we didn't have the luxury of being in a controlled [studio] environment. We put our heart and soul into it for several months. It was very tedious.''
Yet, in Lawrence's case, being involved means participating in every aspect of his career - not just studio work but everything from writing his own music to dabbling in management to developing marketing strategies.
``I look at marketing in terms of a can of peas,'' he said. ``[Without it] I'm just another can on the shelf. When you're in a business this high-profile, you have to advertise."
One marketing ploy Lawrence believes is particularly important is keeping in touch with his fans. So at every show he sets aside time to answer questions or sign autographs for members of his fan club.
``They have been so supportive of me over the last four years,'' he said. ``Some of them I've known for two or three years. They come from all over the country.''
Even though Lawrence likes keeping in touch with his fans, he does admit that it gets less feasible as his popularity grows.
``It's getting more and more difficult,'' he said. ``It can be really exhausting and frustrating, signing autographs for 300 people.''
As for handling such a large group of dedicated fans - and for career guidance in general - Lawrence said he borrows from established country music stars such as Reba McEntire, George Strait and Waylon Jennings.
``I like to look at successful artists and apply [some of their techniques] to my career,'' Lawrence, 27, said.
In addition to country singers, he cites the sounds of rockers such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and Bob Seger as early influences.
``Back in the honky-tonks, those are the people that I cut my teeth on musically," he said.
Even when he was playing honky-tonks around the country, though, Lawrence never doubted he would be as big as some of his heroes.
``I was not going to quit until it happened,'' he said. ``If doors kept closing in my face, I think I would have kicked one down.''
It's that kind of stubborn determination that has defined Lawrence on a personal level more than once over the years. Whether it be the 1991 incident in which he took four bullets at close range while protecting a friend from a gang of robbers in a hotel parking lot in Nashville or being charged with firing a gun at teen-agers who allegedly made an obscene gesture at his brother on a highway last year, Lawrence has proved that his celebrity status will not change who he is or what he stands for.
``I march to the beat of my own drum. I do things my own way,'' he said, adding, ``Stumbling blocks in life make you into the person you are. Everything is trial and error. I've learned so much, there's nothing I wish hadn't happened. It helps you to mature and grow and [later] you can laugh about it.''
TRACY LAWRENCE: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Salem Civic Center. Tickets $22.50 at the box office (375-3004), Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone (343-8100).
by CNB