It's been just a year since Tracy Lawrence graced a Tucson stage, but the Nashville songsmith is one of those artists whom you never tire of seeing live.
He'll return to the Old Pueblo Saturday to headline KIIM-FM 99.5's annual Freedom Fest, a Fourth of July extravaganza that includes a fireworks show.
The lineup also includes Texan Pat Green, the pretty Nashville foursome Gloriana and Tucson adoptee Gary Bonnett.
Phoenician Cindy Standage, who has appeared at several KIIM concerts in recent years, will kick things off soon after the gates at Rillito Park swing open at 5 p.m. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.
Lawrence comes to Tucson shortly after the release of his gospel album, "The Rock," on his own label, Rocky Comfort Records. The album debuted last month in the Top 20 country albums and Top 5 Christian albums, according to Nielsen's SoundScan Chart. The album's first single, "Up to Him," is nimbly finding a home on country radio.
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"In life, timing is everything," Lawrence said on his MySpace page. "This project came along at the perfect time in my life; it was the right time for me to record it, and it's the right time for the music to be heard."
The album shows off Lawrence's twangy vocals in a collection of songs that explore family and faith. Lawrence doesn't preach; he praises in songs that fit easily within the contemporary country realm. His storytelling skills are at their sharpest, with messages steeped in faith but grounded in everyday life.
Lawrence will surely pull out a song or two from "The Rock" during his show Saturday. But most of his die-hard fans will be there for the rockin' and soulful oldies — "Paint Me a Birmingham," "Alibis," "Time Marches On," "If the Good Die Young" and "If the World Had a Front Porch" — and his recent ode, "You Can't Hide Redneck."
In his 18-year career, Lawrence has scored 17 No. 1 country singles and recorded 10 studio albums, selling more than 8 million copies along the way.
Lawrence went indie and launched his own label two years ago after becoming discouraged with Nashville's creative grip and stressful grind. His first self-recorded project, "For the Love," gave him his first No. 1 since going indie, "Find Out Who Your Friends Are." The song, which features Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, earned Lawrence the 2007 Country Music Association's Musical Event of the Year and the 2008 Academy of Country Music Vocal Event of the Year award.
• What: KIIM-FM 99.5 Freedom Fest 2009, starring Tracy Lawrence, Pat Green and Gloriana, with the Gary Bonnett Band and Cindy Standage.
• When: 5 p.m. Saturday.
• Where: Rillito Park, 4502 N. First Ave., near East River Road.
• Tickets: $15, free for age 10 and younger. VIP seats $30.
• Info: www.kiimfm.com
• Et cetera: Fireworks sponsored by the U.S. Army. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council.
