Byrd never intended becoming a singer. Byrd was never in Band or Choir in the Vidor School System. He began studying business at Texas State University (then called Southwest Texas State). One of his friends coaxed him into singing a cover of Hank Williams Sr's "Your Cheating Heart" at a local mall recording studio. The owner of the studio was so impressed with his version that he entered Byrd into a local talent contest. Byrd discovered on that stage that he really liked the attention and applause that came with performing.
Byrd began playing nightclubs in Southeast Texas, including working with then-struggling artist Mark Chesnutt. After Chesnutt secured a record deal, Byrd took over as the house band at Cutters Nightclub in Beaumont, landing his own record deal in 1992. His first three albums sold over 3 million copies.
His first No. 1 single was 1993's "Holdin' Heaven," although "The Keeper of the Stars" (1995) and "I'm From the Country" (1998) are considered his signature songs. Byrd finally scored his second No. 1 hit in the fall of 2002, with "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo." He is also known for covering two 1970s-era hits for country music legend Johnny Paycheck -- "Someone to Give My Love To" (1993, Byrd's second chart hit) and "Don't Take Her She's All I Got" (1997).
Byrd is an avid outdoorsman. He began fishing with his grandmother, Mavis Vaughn, when he was only three, and she bought him his first shotgun when he was six. His love of those sports has given him the opportunity to host two shows on the Outdoor Channel.
Byrd is the National Spokesperson for Special Olympics International for the Country Music Association. He developed a crank bait fishing lure marketed by Norman Lures called The Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich & Famous', named after his hit recording of the song written by Byron Hill and Wayne Tester. For every one of the lures sold Byrd donates ten cents to the Special Olympics.
Byrd also hosts an annual golfing/fishing/music event, "The Tracy Byrd Homecoming Weekend," in Southeast Texas to raise money for local charities, including the March of Dimes, the Children's Miracle Network, and culminating in the donation of money to fund the Tracy Byrd Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care Center at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Beaumont. Byrd also raised money by soliciting pledges for his attempt to complete the 2001 Houston Marathon. He finished the marathon, and donated all of his pledges to the Children's Miracle Network.[1]
In 1994, he made a cameo appearance in the film Radioland Murders. He has also published Eat Like a Byrd: The Tracy Byrd Cookbook which "uses rubs and marinades to create memorable meals."[2]. He has also launched a line of spices, rubs, and marinades to go along with it, called "Tracy Byrd's Tiny Town Products." These are available at Wal-Mart and Kroger stores, Byrd donates five cents from each sale to the Children's Miracle Network.
Byrd and his wife, Michelle, have two sons and daughter. The family lives in Beaumont, Texas.
4 To 1 In Atlanta
Tracy Byrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh wild Billy told me even I would have a chance
If I took a trip down the Georgia highway and asked some girl to dance
Billy said he'd been there - had the best time of his life
He went to stay for the weekend and he came back with a wife
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta, I'm gonna get lucky tonight
I might find an angel whose fire I can light
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta and I'm on my way tonight
I can't wait to get there I know she's waiting for me
With eyes as blue as Texas skies like I ain't never seen
And as I think about it my heart starts to pound
I throw this thing into lower gear and crush that hammer down
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta, I'm gonna get lucky tonight
The girls are in my favor and if I play my cards just right
I might find an angel whose fire I can light
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta and I'm on my way tonight
Here comes a confrontation with the highway patrol
I hope beneath those flashing lights there's an understanding soul
I've only got one story - I'm a man without love
Can we talk about it ma'am before you write me up
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta, I'm gonna get lucky tonight
The girls are in my favor and if I play my cards just right
I might find an angel whose fire I can light
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta and I'm on my way tonight
I'm on my way tonight
The song "4 to 1 in Atlanta" by Tracy Byrd narrates a story of a man who is advised by his friend, Wild Billy, to go to Atlanta and find love. Billy claims that he came back from a weekend trip to Atlanta with a wife and assures the singer that he too can find love if he heads down to Atlanta and asks a girl to dance. The singer is then filled with anticipation as he imagines the girl waiting for him with eyes as blue as Texas skies. He mentions the favorable ratio of girls to guys in Atlanta and his intention to make the most of the opportunity.
On his way to meet his future angel, he encounters a confrontation with the highway patrol. He hopes that there is an understanding soul and tries to explain to them that he's a man without love, hoping for some sympathy. The song ends with the singer still full of hope and optimism for the night ahead, certain that he is going to get lucky tonight.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh wild Billy told me even I would have a chance
Billy gave Tracy advice that even he could find someone special
If I took a trip down the Georgia highway and asked some girl to dance
Tracy would find love in Georgia by dancing with a girl
Billy said he'd been there - had the best time of his life
Billy had been to Georgia and had a great time
He went to stay for the weekend and he came back with a wife
Billy met his wife during his trip to Georgia
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta, I'm gonna get lucky tonight
There are more girls than guys in Atlanta, giving Tracy a good chance at finding someone special
The girls are in my favor and if I play my cards just right
Tracy believes he can win over one of the girls if he says and does the right things
I might find an angel whose fire I can light
Tracy is hoping to find a beautiful woman who he can love and make happy
I can't wait to get there I know she's waiting for me
Tracy is excited to meet the woman he believes is waiting for him
With eyes as blue as Texas skies like I ain't never seen
The woman Tracy expects to meet has incredibly blue eyes
And as I think about it my heart starts to pound
Tracy is very excited and nervous about meeting this special woman
I throw this thing into lower gear and crush that hammer down
Tracy is speeding to get to Georgia as quickly as possible
Here comes a confrontation with the highway patrol
Tracy has been stopped by the police for speeding
I hope beneath those flashing lights there's an understanding soul
Tracy hopes the police officer is kind and will let him off with a warning
I've only got one story - I'm a man without love
Tracy tells the police officer that he is single and looking for love
Can we talk about it ma'am before you write me up
Tracy asks the police officer if they can discuss his speeding before receiving a ticket
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta, I'm gonna get lucky tonight
Tracy is still optimistic about finding love despite getting stopped by the police
The girls are in my favor and if I play my cards just right
Tracy still believes he can win over one of the girls with the right words and actions
I might find an angel whose fire I can light
Tracy still hopes to find a beautiful woman who he can fall in love with
It's 4 to 1 in Atlanta and I'm on my way tonight
Tracy is determined to find love in Atlanta and is still on his way there despite being stopped by the police
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BROWN, KENNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Taylor
on Watermelon Crawl
im not even gonna lie, i dont even like country music, but this song got me changin' my mind!!!!