PALMER �” When it comes to accomplished American country singer-songwriters, Tracy Lawrence tops most of the lists. Narrow that list down to who’s played the Alaska State Fair over the years and it shrinks to a select number of people. Lawrence said he loves Alaska enough to know he can come back and meet people who enjoy his brand of country every time. Not to mention he gets some serious down time fishing in-between.

For the 40-year-old country star, it’s been a long road getting to where he is today, one that he said he never takes for granted.

Lawrence signed to Atlantic Records in 1991, making his debut on the country music charts that year with the single “Sticks and Stones.” His debut album (also titled “Sticks and Stones”) was also a Number One album on the Top Country Albums charts and he never looked back.

Photo courtesy of Rocky Comfort Records Miller Genuine Draft, the Odom Corporation and KBEAR 104.1 FM present Tracy Lawrence live at the Alaska State Fair at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23. Tickets are $29.50 to $39.50 and are available online at Akstatefair.org.

Throughout the ‘90s, Lawrence climbed to several top ten hits (18 to date) from his subsequent albums, solidifying him as a country great. Despite a decline in chart success in the latter half of the 1990s, Lawrence briefly rebounded in 2000 with the top five title track from his album “Lessons Learned.”

With the closing of Atlantic Records’ country division, Lawrence began a series of moves to several country labels, releasing one album each for Warner Bros. Records (2001’s “Tracy Lawrence”), DreamWorks Nashville (2003’s “Strong”) and Mercury Nashville (2005’s “Then & Now: The Hits Collection”). Sick of the run around he was receiving from the record industry, Lawrence founded his own label, Rocky Comfort Records, in 2006.

His first single that year, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (from his 2007 album “For the Love”) reached the top of the country charts, becoming his first number one hit in eleven years.

Tracy Lawrence recently called up Bullseye to talk about performing over the years and discussed what it means for him to be in the up-and-down world of country music.

Bullseye: This isn’t your first time playing in Alaska, correct?

Tracy Lawrence: No, we’ve played Fairbanks and Anchorage several times as well as the State Fair. I’m big on fishing up there. This time I’m taking a few days on the Kenai and set up a four-wheeler ride with an outfitter. I’ve been salmon fishing there a couple times. Absolutely beautiful.

BE: After 17 years in the biz, what is the most challenging part of your job?

TL: I don’t know if there is anything challenging anymore, but obviously being away from my family is hard. The traveling can be really extensive. It happens when I start slowing down after a certain period and then I eventually get over that plateau. I’ll be looking forward to recording more songs and cutting back from the 120 shows I do a year.

BE: Has the recording industry changed since you started?

TL: Everyone’s got a different perspective. You have to find new ways to reinvent yourself. I’ve been recording a gospel record

BE: You recently won a 2008 Academy of Country Music award for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney. Do you feel like you’ve made the comeback category of your career?

TL: I guess I’m getting to that point where I’m re-solidifying myself. For me it’s about making a living and at this age, there’s not a lot of ego left. I enjoy making my music, meeting great people and playing golf courses.

BE: Why did you decided to start Rocky Comfort Records?

TL: It was the situation people put me in. I got real tired of the record labels and felt like it was a good time to make the change. I still try stay to stay structured on my own label and look at record release patterns and what not. I got to make my own Christmas album and gospel music. I call my own shots and have more control of the staff that way.

BE: Any opinions on the current state of country music?

TL: It’s definitely evolving. I don’t know where it’s going with the Internet doing what it’s doing, but they say the acts are getting younger. So much has happened over the last 50 years. I don’t know what that means for the big labels, but I don’t have a lot of overhead. I make a good living and it feels good to keep that going.

BE: Does it seem like the playing field got younger?

TL: It’s the nature of the beast. The same thing happened in the ‘90s when my group came through. I think country will stay popular with the young and not so young, so the acts are going to vary as well.

BE: What is your biggest accomplishment to date?

TL: For me, probably having a number one record after ten years. It’s a big accomplishments for me.

BE: As a veteran to the Alaska State Fair stage, what do you have planned for us this go around?

TL: Well, it’s going to be a rocking show. We’ll play everything we’ve had out there over the years �” all the hits, the new stuff, some surprise. It will be a lengthy show. My musicians have been with me a long time and once we get going, it’s a show to remember.

Tracy Lawrence will play the Alaska State Fair at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Borealis Theatre. For tickets, visit Alaskastatefair.org.

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com.