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Tracy ByrdAmerican country musician, composer and performer
Date of Birth: 18.12.1966
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Tracy Byrd
Early Life and InfluencesTracy Byrd, the eldest son of Jerry Lynn Byrd and Brenda Vaughn Byrd, was born on December 18, 1966, in Vidor, Texas, a small town located 15 miles from Beaumont, Texas. His father worked at a chemical plant, while his mother was a teacher's assistant at an elementary school. Growing up, Tracy was surrounded by a collection of music records, and he developed a love for artists such as Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, and Ray Price. At the age of six months, Tracy's parents took him to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, where they stood in line in the rain. To keep him warm, Brenda hid him under her sweater. An observant guard noticed this and allowed them to skip ahead in line, resulting in the whole family getting to attend the concert.
Education and Musical Beginnings
In May 1985, Tracy Byrd graduated from Vidor High School and became a student at Lamar University in Beaumont. He later pursued a business management degree at Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University) in San Marcos. It was during this time that one of his friends convinced him to sing a cover of Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" in a local recording studio. The studio owner was so impressed with Tracy's performance that he sent him to a local talent competition. In 1992, Tracy signed a contract with MCA Nashville Records.
Rise to Fame
Inspired by the music of the Eagles and George Strait, Tracy Byrd released his first single, "That's the Thing About a Memory," in 1992. He quickly made a splash in the music scene in 1993 with his hit single "Holdin' Heaven," which reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. This song was featured on his self-titled debut album, released on April 27, 1993. Throughout his career, Tracy released over 30 hit singles, including 11 that entered the top ten. He also released nine studio albums and two greatest hits compilations, with several of them achieving gold and platinum certifications. Tracy's music blended elements of country and pop, and his albums sold nearly 5 million copies by 2002.
Later Career and Philanthropy
In the early 2000s, Tracy Byrd faced competition from a new generation of country artists, which led to a decline in his popularity. In 1999, he signed with RCA Records and released three studio albums: "It's About Time," "Ten Rounds," and "The Truth About Men." In 2005, he released the compilation album "Greatest Hits" under BNA Records, and in 2006-2007, he recorded his last album, "Different Things," under Blind Mule Records. Since then, Tracy has not released any new music.
Outside of his music career, Tracy Byrd is married to Michelle Byrd, and they have two sons and a daughter. He resides in Beaumont, Texas. Tracy is a representative of the Country Music Association in the charitable international organization Special Olympics International, which supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. He is an avid fisherman and has developed a fishing lure called "The Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich & Famous," named after one of his hits. Ten cents from each sale of this lure goes to the Special Olympics. Tracy also organizes the Tracy Byrd Homecoming Weekend, a music and sports event, to raise funds for local charitable projects, with a particular focus on supporting children's healthcare.