<… Read Full Bio ↴Tracy Lawrence (born 27 January 1968) is an American country musician.
Tracy Lawrence was born in Atlanta, Texas, and raised in Foreman, Ark., Lawrence played in his first band at the age of 16. He attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. In 1990 Lawrence left Arkansas and went to Nashville.
Lawrence took jobs as an ironworker and in phone sales while he tried to break into the Nashville music scene. He began participating in talent shows and earned enough money to live on. In 1991 he had a gig at the Bluebird Cafe and met Wayne Edwards who became his manager.
With Edwards assistance Lawrence signed with Atlantic Records and released his first album "Sticks and Stones." On 31 May 1991 Lawrence walked his former girlfriend to the door of her hotel room and was confronted by three armed men. The men robbed them and attempted to force Lawrence and his friend into her motel room. Lawrence resisted and was shot four times, allowing his friend to escape. Two of the wounds were major and necessitated surgery. One of the bullets remains imbedded in Lawrence's pelvis.
Lawrence's album shot up the charts to number one on the back of publicity from the shooting and spawned several Top 10 singles. Lawrence's second album Alibis went Platinum and generated three straight Number One singles.
Lawrence was Billboard's Top New Male Vocalist in 1992 and received the Academy of Country Music's Best New Artist and Top New Male Vocalist in 1993.
In 1994 Lawrence released his third album, I See It Now was also a Platinum album. Lawrence released a Live album in 1995 and another studio album entitled Time Marches On in 1996. In 1997 Lawrence released another album entitled Coast is Clear which he co-produced. All told, Lawrence generated 7 Number One singles by this time and every one of his albums at this point in his career had gone Platinum.
In 2005, he released the album "Then & Now: The Hits Collection" that had him singing new vocals on the majority of his hit songs, as well as two new songs, "Used to the Pain" and "If I Don't Make it Back." both of which charted on the Billboard Country Charts. The new recordings sounded very similar to the previous ones, although on some tracks, such as "I See It Now" and "If The World Had a Front Porch" Lawrence's maturity may have improved the vocals, giving them a little more depth. The main reason for re-recording the songs instead of just making a run of the mill greatest hits collection was that Lawrence had switched record labels and Universal Music Group, who he currently records for, does not hold the rights to the old recordings. The new album was very well received and is leaving fans wanting even more out of the unique country star.
In 2006, Lawrence launched Rocky Comfort Records (RCR), a partnership with his manager Laney Lawrence. The label will operate as a joint venture with CO5 Nashville (a division of CO5 Music). His new single "Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” will be released to radio August 21, 2006 with his first studio album on the RCR/CO5 Nashville imprint scheduled for release in early 2007.
Lawrence is known to have a wide range with sounds ranging from neotraditional country to songs with a definite southern rock feel.
Lawrence has visited US troops involved in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo and annually participates in a golf tournament to raise funds for cystic fibrosis research. Lawrence has also purchased equipment for his hometown high school in Arkansas.
Lawrence has been inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.
The Rock
Tracy Lawrence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They drove the last nail in, and opened up the doors
And Jebediah Moore was the first to be baptized
I saw him married here and buried here
When the Yankees took his life
Now, I've felt the pain
Of people fightin' their own demons
Of the power that finally freed them
I'm a bright and shiny beacon
Giving shelter in the storm
And every saint and sinner
I greet with open arms
I am the rock
I am stained glass and stone
The foundation
This town was built upon
And I've been standing
Strong and steady all these years
Held together by the faithful gathered here
I've heard the words of deliverance and damnation
And the sweet sound of redemption and salvation
Entire congregations with their voices raised in song
By the angels in my rectors, rejoice and sing along
I am the rock
I am stained glass and stone
The foundation
This town was built upon
And I've been standing
Strong and steady all these years
Held together by the faithful gathered here
And as long as there's a God above
And people still believe
My walls will never crumble
And I will always be
The rock
I am stained glass and stone
The foundation
This town was built upon
And I've been standing
Strong and steady all these years
Held together by the faithful gathered here
I am the rock
I am stained glass and stone
The foundation
This town was built upon
And I've been standing
Strong and steady all these years
Held together by the faithful gathered here
Outside Savannah, spring of eighteen forty-four
They drove the last nail in and opened up my doors
The song "The Rock" by Tracy Lawrence is a poignant ode to the enduring strength and steadfastness of faith. It tells the story of a church that has witnessed the passage of time and the tumultuous events of history, yet has remained a constant source of hope and comfort for its community. Set in the fictional town of Savannah in the year 1844, the song begins with the church's construction and the baptism of Jebediah Moore, one of its earliest members. The song then takes on a more personal note, as the singer speaks of his own struggles with inner demons and the healing power of faith.
Throughout the song, the church is portrayed as an unshakeable symbol of stability and resilience. Its walls are made of stained glass and stone, and it is referred to as "The Rock" - a fitting metaphor for its unwavering strength. Despite the trials and tribulations that have beset its congregation over the years, the church has always been there to offer solace and support, its doors open to all who seek refuge within its walls. The chorus is particularly powerful, emphasizing the church's unbreakable bond with its community: "And I've been standing / Strong and steady all these years / Held together by the faithful gathered here."
Line by Line Meaning
Outside Savannah, spring of eighteen forty-four
The town was founded in the spring of 1844
They drove the last nail in, and opened up the doors
Construction of the town was finished, and the town was open for business
And Jebediah Moore was the first to be baptized
Jebediah Moore was the first member of the town's church to be baptized
I saw him married here and buried here
Jebediah Moore was married and then later buried in the town
When the Yankees took his life
Jebediah Moore was killed by Union soldiers during the Civil War
Now, I've felt the pain
As a church, I have seen people struggle with their personal demons
Of people fightin' their own demons
Individuals have battled their inner struggles, and I have witnessed their pain
And the presence
As a church, I have sensed the power
Of the power that finally freed them
The power of God has ultimately liberated these individuals
I'm a bright and shiny beacon
As a church, I am a symbol of hope and guidance for those in need
Giving shelter in the storm
The church provides a welcoming and safe space for those facing hardship
And every saint and sinner
Everyone, regardless of their past, is welcome here
I greet with open arms
As a church, I embrace all who come through my doors
I am the rock
The church is a strong and solid foundation for the town and its people
I am stained glass and stone
The church is a beautiful and permanent fixture in the town
The foundation
As a church, I am the basis upon which this town was built
This town was built upon
The town was founded upon the church and its values
And I've been standing
The church has been in this town for a long time
Strong and steady all these years
The church has remained a constant in the community
Held together by the faithful gathered here
The church is built and sustained by the people who attend and believe
I've heard the words of deliverance and damnation
The church has preached messages of salvation and condemnation
And the sweet sound of redemption and salvation
The church has also shared messages of hope and forgiveness
Entire congregations with their voices raised in song
The churchgoers sing together in unity and joy
By the angels in my rectors, rejoice and sing along
The angels who hold positions in the church lead the singing and bring enjoyment to the people
And as long as there's a God above
As long as people still believe in God
And people still believe
As long as there are believers in this town
My walls will never crumble
The church will always stand firm in its beliefs and purpose
And I will always be
The church will continue to exist and be a vital part of the town
Contributed by Chloe F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.