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Tracy Byrd

The title of Tracy Byrd's seventh album and first RCA release in 1999, "It's About Time," said it all. In his eyes, it was about time that he started cutting the songs that he truly wanted to cut, instead of being dictated by trends and record executives. It was about time that he enjoyed his career again. And it was about time that he was able to express himself through his music.

He'd already established his star status with more than five million album sales, the No. 1 hits "Holdin Heaven" and "The Keeper of the Stars," a string of Top-5 hits and his role as spokesperson for the TNN Outdoors program, which draws eight million viewers each weekend. He'd earned praise from fans and critics alike for his instantly recognizable vocals and gained the reputation as one of country' s top entertainers with memorable career records like "Watermelon Crawl" and "I'm From The Country." But somehow, something was missing. It was about time for a change.

It 's About Time" was the result of that change, and marked a new era of creative freedom in Byrd's career. It's the first time we've seen him in the producer's chair, and Byrd was definitely up to the task. With help from famed producer Billy Joe Walker, Jr., Tracy Byrd has created an abundantly progressive album that's truly country-and truly Tracy. "This album was a joy to make," he says. "I was having so much fun in the studio that in the back of my mind I was going, 'Boy this has got to be good.' And then I'd listen to what we'd done so far, and I'd think, 'You know what? This is incredible.' I was totally satisfied. Containing an exciting fusion of everything from hard-driving uptempo melodies to Texas torch to breathtakingly beautiful ballads, It 's About Time is consistent in its integrity to the heart and soul of country music while at the same time being totally radio-friendly. Whether it's the emotionally charged "Put Your Hand In Mine" or the hit-in-waiting "Every Time I Do," each song on the album bears Tracy's stamp of approval. In this landmark album, you'll hear Tracy Byrd at his finest, his soulful voice taking on an even greater maturity and depth that complements his more lyrically-focused music. You'll hear the power of a perfectly executed love song and a get-up-and-dance honky-tonker. Best of all, you'll hear for the first time the real Tracy Byrd - a pure country traditionalist who's also in step with the times.

The change began at the record label. In February 1999, Byrd made the decision to exit MCA Records, with whom he'd had a contract since the beginning of his career. RLG Chairman Joe Galante, who had long admired Tracy's rich baritone, immediately signed him to RCA Records. "It was a perfect match," Tracy exclaims of his relationship with his new record label. "I've always respected Joe Galante. We saw eye to eye on everything, and we loved the same songs." Sharing the vision of taking Tracy's already celebrated career to the very highest level, Byrd, Galante and RLG's Vice President of A&R, Renee Bell, carefully selected songs that would reflect Tracy's maturity as an artist as well as his unwavering commitment to everything that true country music represents. And It's About Time was born.

Unlike so many albums these days, the songs in It 's About Time actually mean something to the artist who sings them. Now more than ever, Tracy Byrd proves he's a multi-dimensional artist whose expressive voice and complex personality make him just as at home singing songs with heartbreaking sensitivity as cowboy swagger. "I choose songs with myself in mind," he says, "something that gets to me or says something about what I might be going through in my life. That's part of what being an artist, especially a country artist, is all about." In fact, the majority of the album's songs struck a personal chord with Byrd, who especially identifies with the title track. Much like the character described in that song, Byrd realizes what's most important in life - his family, which consists of wife Michelle, daughter Evee and son Logan. And of course, what would a Tracy Byrd album be without a nod to his Texas heritage? "I'm proud to be a Texan, especially a southeast Texan," he says. He demonstrates his deep love for his home state each year by giving back to the community that has instilled in him so much pride. The Tracy Byrd Homecoming Weekend, a bass fishing and golfing extravaganza he founded in 1994 to raise money for local charities, is an event that the Beaumont resident holds dear to his heart. By 1999, he had raised more than $350,000 for organizations like March of Dimes and Buckner Children's Village.

The future looks bright for Tracy Byrd, who finally feels he's on the right track with a new record label to call home and a renewed sense of creativity and purpose to his work. Ever humble, however, he looks toward his musical heroes for inspiration. "I've always said that I want to be a long-term artist. A lot of people say that's too much to ask for these days. But I don't think it is. I think there's still a chance to be a Haggard or a Jones or Ray Price. I'd like to be around long enough that I leave behind enough good music to be considered a legacy." With a collection like It's About Time, that should be no problem at all.

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