Tracy Lawrence rediscovers his passion for country music on new EP 'Out Here in It'

Tracy Lawrence, 56 years old in age and perspective, is the youngest 1990s-era country star still working in modern Nashville.

He's as quick to mention his "TL's Road House" podcast, the "Honky Tonkin with Tracy Lawrence" program on WSM Radio, or playing Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheater as he is to discuss his recent philanthropic efforts, the heights of the neotraditional country movement or his observations on Alan Jackson or Travis Tritt's career impact.

Lawrence's new six-song EP, "Out Here in It," is a reflective mix of bluesy honky-tonk sounds, rock, and traditional soul, featuring party-ready themes and heartbreak ballads

Three years have elapsed since the Grammy-nominated performer recorded anything for release. The gaps in Lawrence's recording career were once related to the east Texas native's frenetic touring schedule, which precluded him from getting into the studio as much as he would have liked.

However, after 30 years of work, he felt prepared to open the door to a non-musical chapter of his life.

Rekindling the passion for his career

After experiencing burnout, he went through a period of significant decompression and re-evaluation. He listened to his own albums, such as 1996's "Time Marches On" and 2004's "Strong," the latter featuring his beloved "Paint Me a Birmingham." Inspired, he picked up his songwriting pen, sourced a few outside songs, and returned to the studio.

Via listening to his records or interviewing a country radio chart-topping artist or songwriter on his podcast over the past 18 months, he's also rediscovered his passion for country music's timeless artistry.

"Regardless of how diverse their inspirations have become, young creatives still have the same dreams and desires that I had 30 years ago," says the "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" performer.

About the latter song, whose 44-week climb to No. 1 in 2007 was similar to Lainey Wilson's "Things a Man Oughta Know," which took 64 weeks to achieve chart-topping status in 2021, Lawrence finds that having such an iconic song in his catalog is both a modern-era gift and curse.

Along with that, he is now independent and unsigned. This leaves Lawrence in a unique position where he's able to couple his established legacy with the flexibility to authentically and comfortably attach that legacy to the most honest and relevant creators, sounds and styles in Nashville today.

'Out Here in It'

He worked alongside top-tier Nashville songwriters for his latest EP, including Rodney Clawson, Devin Dawson, Jacob Durrett, ERNEST, Wyatt McCubbin and Lee Thomas Miller. Even for that sextet of chart-toppers, resting on the laurels of mirroring Lawrence's influential catalog would be easy — and potentially expected.

However, he's glad they offered more.

"As an artist (who has achieved a certain level of success), I get stopped on the street often by songwriters who say, 'I have the perfect Tracy Lawrence song,'" he says.

"The process of getting it through people's heads that I want songs that are different than — or evolved past — those I've already had success with has been difficult, but it's happening."

Of the fresher-sounding EP material, "Pretty Dang Good" offers a throwback funk-rock swagger and groove that complements his distinctive crooning voice.

The quartet of Brent Rupard, Brad Hutsell, Kyle James and Anthony Olympia paired for "I Could Use One," which for Lawrence feels like a progression, nearly three decades later, from his 1996 No. 1 hit "Time Marches On."

Working with Monty Criswell, Derek George and Bubba Strait's collaborative songcraft yielded the "throwback" honky-tonk heartbreak ballad "Gulf of Mexico." For Lawrence, it recalls his 1992 Top 5-charting debut album hit "Today's Lonely Fool."

Embracing his career resurgence

Earlier this month, Lawrence performed at Ascend Amphitheater during CMA Fest. The concert featured podcast guests, friends and country stars, including Riley Green, Chris Young, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn, and Charles Esten. That the show was an almost immediate sellout stunned Lawrence.

However, he realizes that, though just past a half-century in age, the era in which he made music was so commercially and culturally impactful that it has touched three generations of country music fans.

"'Sticks and Stones' was my first hit in 1991, then 'Find Out Who Your Friends Are' hit in 2007," he says.

"Now I'm back with new music in 2024," he says, highlighting how he's maintained a through-line in the quality and style of his content over 25 years.

"I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how my brand value has gone from being crucial to a generation to reviving itself as timelessly relevant," he says, half-jokingly.

"Evolving from a touring artist and a professional singer to a podcast and radio host is an unexpected career turn. But I appreciate this path. At this point in my career, it's allowing my attempts to be my best self to connect with the marketplace."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Singer-songwriter Tracy Lawrence releases new EP 'Out Here in It'