Tracy Byrd

Tracy Byrd was born Dec. 18, 1966, in Vidor, Texas. Neo-traditionalist country singer Byrd paid $8 to sing Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" over a pre-recorded backing track in a shopping mall. The store manager was so impressed by Byrd's voice that she booked him for a talent show. On that show he sang "Weary Blues" and "Folsom Prison Blues". He began a residency with Mark Chesnutt, at a local club Cutters and when Chesnutt began to have some chart success, Byrd formed his own band and took over the residency.

Tracy signed with MCA Records in 1992 and had to wait a year before he fit in with their release schedule. Byrd's first records were honky tonk in the George Strait mold, but he has gradually found his own voice, starting with a remake of Johnny Paycheck's "Someone To Give My Love To" in 1993. His major breakthrough came with the number 1 country hit "Holdin' Heaven". He further established himself with "Why Don't The Telephone Ring" the same year. No Ordinary Man consolidated the success of his debut, and a third collection Love Lessons was also well received. Further hit singles came with "Watermelon Crawl" and "Love Lessons", as Byrd attempted to establish himself at the forefront of contemporary country. Big Love and I'm From The Country were two solid, reliable albums that nevertheless failed to hoist Byrd into the same league as Garth Brooks.

Byrd left MCA and crossed over to RCA for the following year's It's About Time, and his 2001 release Ten Rounds.