Tracy Lawrence readies first Christmas disc
Monday, October 8, 2007 – Tracy Lawrence will release the first holiday album of his career on the Rocky Comfort Records (RCR) label, "All Wrapped Up in Christmas" Oct. 23.
"As much as I love the holidays, it's hard to believe I've never recorded a Christmas album," said Lawrence. "I love everything about the holidays from shopping for presents to decorating the house with my family. Christmas is huge with the Lawrence household. Before heading into the studio, I had each of my daughters select one song for the project. Skylar chose 'Here Comes Santa Claus' and Keagan selected 'Frosty The Snowman.'"
Lawrence and his co-producer Julian King brought a blend of country, jazz and classic pop elements together. "I've been dreaming of recording a Christmas CD for many, many years," he said. "I've just been waiting for the timing to be right. I looked for songs that were warm as well as fun, and challenging to sing. We pulled the best from all three music traditions."
The disc features a mixture of seasonal classics with three new songs. Classics include "White Christmas," "Let It Snow," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland." The new numbers are "Something In The Air," "Cold Beer" and the title cut.
"I really hope this CD will put people in the spirit of the season," said Lawrence. "It's a collection of songs that I hand-selected to share with my fans, and I hope it will become a favorite part of their seasonal traditions."
The project was recorded during some of the summer's hottest days. "It was nearly 100 degrees outside when we were recording," he said. "To set the mood, we put up a Christmas tree in the studio, hung stockings filled with candy on all of the musicians' mic stands, strung up some twinkling lights and prepared for a make-believe snow storm. For the moment it felt like Christmas - at least until we broke for lunch and walked outside."
More news for Tracy Lawrence
CD reviews for Tracy Lawrence
The Rock
On the heels of his successful Tim McGraw-Kenny Chesney collaboration, Find Out Who Your Friends Are, Tracy Lawrence's latest is an uplifting set filled with Christian songs in the vein of Randy Travis' "Rise and Shine." The songs here don't quite have the same lyrical punch as some of Travis' work, but it is a solid album nonetheless. Lawrence's warm baritone and effortless, emotional delivery make each track sound genuine and heartfelt.
I'm Done is a »»» |
All Wrapped Up In Christmas
Although there's no lack of country Christmas CDs, it's hard to find many strictly country Christmas songs. That makes "Cold Beer" on Tracy Lawrence's first ever Christmas CD something a little special. It says, in part: "I'll sit at this bar with my good friends/And we'll all toast Christmas cheer...with cold beer." It is doubtful many country folk roast chestnuts December 25, let alone do so on an open fire, but they no doubt pop tops like a Budweiser »»» |
For the Love
Like many of his fellow hitmakers of the 1990's, Tracy Lawrence decided to start an independent label. He named it Rocky Comfort Records, and the music on the 11-track debut matches the label's traditional-sounding name.
The highlight is Lawrence's collaboration with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw on "You Find Out Who Your Friends Are." They pick up for each vocally where the other has left off. The story tells the age old lesson that true friends come through in tough times. »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
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