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.
No Ordinary Man
Tracy Byrd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eight seconds ain't very long to live
But tonight he barely made five
He gave all that he had to give
But the big bull won tonight
He climbs into that old pickup
Black coffee in his hand
But a cowboy ain't no ordinary man
Well he rides just to keep his spirit alive
Makin' money for his wife and kids
He tried other kinds of work
But nothing ever seemed to fit
Oh he loves the smell of a Brahma bull
The feel of leather in his hand
Rodeo ain't no ordinary life
But a cowboy ain't no ordinary man
He's got a gold buckle on his mind
And he don't ride to lose
Tomorrow night he'll nod and yell outside
And they'll turn his future loose
But no matter how bad he hurts
He'll tip his hat to the fans
Rodeo ain't no ordinary life
But a cowboy ain't no ordinary man
Well he rides just to keep his spirit alive
Makin' money for his wife and kids
He tried other kinds of work
But nothing ever seemed to fit
Oh he loves the smell of a Brahma bull
The feel of leather in his hand
Well Rodeo ain't no ordinary life
But a cowboy ain't no ordinary man
Well he rides just to keep his spirit alive
Makin' money for his wife and kids
He tried other kinds of work
But nothing ever seemed to fit
Oh he loves the smell of a Brahma bull
The feel of leather in his hand
Well Rodeo ain't no ordinary life
But a cowboy ain't no ordinary
He's an extra ordinary man
The song "No Ordinary Man" by Tracy Byrd tells the story of a rodeo cowboy who is determined to overcome the challenges of his sport, despite the risks and the pain. The lyrics describe the cowboy's dedication and passion for his work, as well as his love for his family and his commitment to providing for them. The chorus affirms that while rodeo is not an ordinary life, the cowboy himself is not an ordinary man.
The first verse sets up the tension of the song, where the cowboy falls short of his goals but refuses to be defeated. The second verse establishes his motivations and the hard work he puts into his profession. The bridge highlights his aspiration to win, and that he is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it means walking away from the ring hurt. The final chorus reiterates that a cowboy's life may seem extraordinary or dangerous, but his strength of spirit and resilience prove that he is anything but ordinary.
Line by Line Meaning
Eight seconds ain't very long to live
The rodeo cowboy has a dangerous job that requires him to ride a bull for eight seconds, which can feel like a lifetime.
But tonight he barely made five
Unfortunately, he was unable to stay on the bull for the full eight seconds in his most recent attempt.
He gave all that he had to give
Despite not winning, the cowboy gave his full effort and did everything he could to stay on the bull.
But the big bull won tonight
Ultimately, the bull was too strong for the cowboy and he was unable to win the competition.
He climbs into that old pickup
After the competition, the cowboy heads back to his truck.
Black coffee in his hand
The cowboy drinks coffee to stay alert and focused while he's on the road.
Rodeo ain't no ordinary life
The cowboy's lifestyle is unique and filled with danger, uncertainty, and excitement.
But a cowboy ain't no ordinary man
Despite the many challenges he faces, the rodeo cowboy is resilient, brave, and exceptional.
Well he rides just to keep his spirit alive
Riding bulls is more than just a job for the cowboy; it's a way to stay connected to his passions and feel alive.
Makin' money for his wife and kids
While he loves riding, the cowboy also has practical reasons for doing it, such as supporting his family financially.
He tried other kinds of work
Although riding bulls is his first choice, the cowboy has tried other jobs that didn't suit him as well.
But nothing ever seemed to fit
No matter what other careers he tried, they just didn't feel right or bring him the same level of satisfaction as rodeo riding.
Oh he loves the smell of a Brahma bull
The cowboy has a deep affection and appreciation for the animals he rides, including the distinctive smell of the Brahma bull.
The feel of leather in his hand
Riding a bull requires specialized equipment, including a leather grip to help the cowboy hold on tight.
He's got a gold buckle on his mind
The ultimate goal for many rodeo cowboys is to win a gold buckle, which is a symbol of excellence and achievement in their sport.
And he don't ride to lose
The cowboy is highly competitive and always aims to win when he's participating in a rodeo competition.
Tomorrow night he'll nod and yell outside
The cowboy's next chance to compete will be tomorrow night, when he'll signal to the gatekeepers that he's ready to ride.
And they'll turn his future loose
When the gate is opened, the cowboy's fate is entirely in the hands of the bull he's riding; he must trust his own skills and instincts to stay on as long as possible.
But no matter how bad he hurts
Even if he's injured during a ride, the cowboy is incredibly tough and determined to keep going.
He'll tip his hat to the fans
Win or lose, the cowboy always shows his appreciation for the supporters who come to watch his performances.
He's an extra ordinary man
The cowboy's unique experiences, personality, and strength make him truly remarkable and special.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BYRD, DYCUS, WILLIAMS
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!!!!