Tracy Lawrence Steers Clear of Politics on ‘Made in America’
Tracy Lawrence's upcoming new studio album is titled Made in America, and while the title song is all about American pride, he wanted to make sure it was not a political message.
"I really wanted to write something that was very positive, very American, very proud to be where you come from, proud of the things that you make, proud of what you do with your hands," Lawrence tells Pop Culture of the title track "Made in America," which he co-wrote with Rick Huckaby and Adam Sanders.
"I didn't want it to be political at all," Lawrence adds. "I wanted it to be really removed from that, just to go back to being proud of being an American. And I think we achieved that."
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Lawrence's last new studio album of all-new songs, 2013's Headlights, Taillights and Radios, was a very contemporary collection, but Lawrence is getting back to his roots on Made in America, albeit with a twist.
"The title track is really the first Americana song that I've ever done," the '90s star shares, adding that the rest of the album is "really a very traditional country record. I was very conscious of not overlapping any of the things that I've done in the past."
The 51-year-old singer is avoiding politics on his new album, but he strongly considered a run for political office in his home state of Arkansas in the wake of the 2007 financial crash, when a Congressional seat came open in the state. He ultimately decided against it, and he tells Pop Culture that it's nothing he would consider again, given the current climate.
"There's been so much that's going on. I don't know if I would want to put myself and my family through the abuse that politics brings to a personal life," he reflects. "It's just not worth it. It's dirty."
Made in America is set for release on Aug. 16.
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