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.
Holdin' Heaven
Tracy Byrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How'd you get those eyes so blue
You're a vision in white and I've been waitin' all night
Just to have one dance with you
Now all my dreams are comin' true
I'm holdin' heaven in my arms tonight
Everything about you is so perfectly right
Be holdin' heaven in my arms tonight
I'm not sure where you came from But I thank my lucky stars above That I got the chance to have a dance But one dance just ain't enough I think I'm fallin' in love
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
I'm holdin' heaven in my arms tonight
Tracy Byrd's hit song, "Holdin' Heaven," begins with the singer expressing his admiration for a woman. He finds her captivating, referring to her as an angel because of her striking blue eyes and appearance in white. He has been waiting for a chance to dance with her, and finally, he is living his dream. In his arms, he feels as though he is holding heaven. The singer cannot contain his excitement and joy. He's asking himself how he deserved a moment like this, and does not want it to end after just one dance. He's smitten and feels he's falling in love.
The lyrics of "Holdin' Heaven" evoke the feeling of ecstasy that one experiences when they've anticipated something for so long, and it finally happens. The singer's delight is also the song's central theme, which is love. The impression that he's gotten from this woman is that she's perfect, and he's grateful for the chance to hold her in his arms. There is no place he wants to be but with her. By the end of the song, the singer is left with the feeling that he may have found something rare and precious.
In conclusion, "Holdin' Heaven" is a song expressing the feeling of finally finding that special someone who makes you happy. Tracy Byrd beautifully paints the picture of that perfect moment in time when you have that one dance with the one you adore. It is a timeless love song that will continue to bring joy to listeners for years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm face to face with an angel
I'm standing in front of someone who is incredibly beautiful and perfect, like an angel.
How'd you get those eyes so blue
I'm admiring the beauty of her blue eyes and wondering about their origin.
You're a vision in white and I've been waitin' all night
She's wearing a white dress and I've been waiting for this moment all night because she looks stunning.
Just to have one dance with you
I wanted to dance with her, to get closer and connect emotionally.
Now all my dreams are comin' true
My dream of dancing with her is finally happening and I'm thrilled.
I'm holdin' heaven in my arms tonight
I feel like I'm holding something so divine and perfect that it's akin to holding heaven itself.
Everything about you is so perfectly right
Every aspect of her being is flawless, making her seem like she was made just for me.
I've never been there but I think I might
I've never actually been to heaven, but I feel like I'm close to it because of her.
Be holdin' heaven in my arms tonight
I feel like I'm holding something divine and special, which is like holding heaven in my arms.
I'm not sure where you came from
I'm not sure how I met her or why she is in my life, but I'm glad that she is here nonetheless.
But I thank my lucky stars above
I'm grateful for this moment and believe it's a twist of fate or pure luck.
That I got the chance to have a dance
I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to dance with her and make this moment memorable.
But one dance just ain't enough
One dance with her feels too short and brief, and I'm craving for more.
I think I'm fallin' in love
I feel like I'm falling in love with her, and this moment is intense and transformative.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILL KENNER, THOM MCHUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sassysw629
Ooh wee!!!! I’m sooo excited to see this man at our Hunt County Fair tomorrow!!!!! 🎤
@peytonparrishmusicpersonal
Y'all are the damn best. I'm honored to have the kind of support that you show me, thank you. How are you doing it's nice meeting you here btw
@mikespencer9913
42 years of marriage and Tracy will be the music at my 50th anniversary. Nothing else encapsulates what we have together!
@eligebrown8998
Congratulations.
@mitchellcota7381
Holdin' heaven became his first number 1 hit on the U.S. country charts in 1993
@andralee1964
Summer of `93 was interesting and this song was truly amazing for me. Can't believe that was 30 years ago. Where did the time go?
@warriorpoetapprentice1523
Nothing beats 90s country music or 90s country gals.
@annlennox1056
The Byrd is the only person I would travel from Bundaberg to where ever he is under medication as I am terrified of heights plane's ..absolutely adore the man...
@sclawman
Great tune. The blonde chick's name is Charissa Seaman from Columbia, SC. I know because we went to high school together when this video was shot. You can't beat old country music-anything's better than today's crap.
@loganmack7440
Thanks. Always wondered what her name was.