DATE: Thursday, April 10, 1997              TAG: 9704090050

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   59 lines

TRACY LAWRENCE HAS NEW LOOK, ATTITUDE

YOU KNOW you've arrived, you know you're a star when the paparazzi come a-visitin'.

They were swarming in Dallas recently when Tracy Lawrence wed former Cowboys cheerleader Stacie Drew.

``The photographers were all around with high-powered cameras, tryin' a lot of stuff,'' Lawrence said. ``What they got wasn't good quality - none of it was approved.''

The approved version was in last week's Country Star, a lovely spread of lovely Stacie and Tracy on their big day.

Lawrence is sort of lovely himself, and definitely clean-faced. The long locks and the mustache are history, as you will see Sunday, when he performs as part of the Suffolk Spectacular and Balloon Fest at the Suffolk Municipal Airport.

``I was ready for a change,'' Lawrence said during a phone interview from Dallas. ``I have a new mental outlook that reflects my state of mind. I wanted to go all the way with a fresh, clean look.''

``The Coast Is Clear,'' his new album, features several self-penned pieces.

``I looked for things for the CD that were diverse. I have 10 things - each has its own personality,'' Lawrence said. ``There's a lot of good music on this record. This time, I felt more focused, more in control. I had more hands-on control.''

He co-produced it with Nashville veteran Don Cook. On his own, he is producing Rich McCready's next album, due for release June 1.

Why all this work? Why not just sing and go home to his bride?

``I love every aspect of the music business,'' said Lawrence, proving his point in yet another way - as co-producer of the country music half of the soundtrack for ``The Civil War,'' which will tour the country the next two years.

``There's a strong possibility it will open on Broadway,'' he said. ``Part of it will be televised.''

Lawrence's record company, Atlantic, has the rights for the play, and gave him the opportunity to offer a creative hand.

He is working on ``The Civil War'' with many artists, including Tricia Yearwood, John Berry, Deana Carter and Trace Adkins. There is a probability of a Tracy Lawrence-Kenny Rogers duet.

Nowadays, Lawrence feels he is better off pushing ``Better Man, Better Off,'' his first single from the new album. Last week it was No. 8 on the Billboard chart and still climbing.

If it hits the top spot, it will be Lawrence's 16th No. 1 record - quite a pace for someone who has been on the national scene only five years.

Some of his 1996 successes were ``Time Marches On,'' ``If You Love Me'' and ``Stars Over Texas.''

Lawrence is a star and, if paparazzi interest is a sign, he is slipping into the category of superstar.

``I didn't know I was important enough to get all that attention,'' Lawrence said.

He is - and part of the reason is attitude.

``I'm growing more and more every year, taking more control of what's happening,'' Lawrence said. ``My music is more . . . me.'' KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW PROFILE <

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