-
Tracy Byrd
Two months ago, Tracy Byrd was faced with realization of not having his annual Christmas Special, which is held every December in downtown Beaumont at the historic Jefferson Theatre.
“I thought long and hard about it, I really did,” said Byrd. “To do it or not to do it, but we are going to take all the safety measures set forth by officials. It’s better than nothing. It gives some people a chance to be normal for a few hours by hearing some great music.”
Byrd will be joined at the Jefferson (345 Fannin St.) by Blues guru Mike Zito on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. A limited number of $25-$50 tickets are available to be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. Face coverings must be worn.
“I had 75 shows booked for 2020 by the end of January,” said Byrd. “We roll into March and it all comes to a screeching halt. I thought by June, things would go back to normal. Boy was I wrong.”
According to a recent report by Pollstar, the concert industry is projected to lose $30 billion because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am super blessed, personally, and some of my band members are fortunate to have other jobs, but I have three guys, including my sound guy and two band members who rely on live shows. If my work isn’t there for them, or anyone else’s work, then they don’t get paid.
“When you think about the entertainment industry, it extends out to the band that’s playing, sound guys, light guys, sound companies, bartenders, waitresses and staff. A few businesses seem to be thriving, but the entertainment industry has been wrecked.”
Byrd said that many of his musician friends that are Texas country artists depend on weekly paying gigs. He actually bought a guitar from one of his friends that he once hired to play his 50th birthday.
“I got up and did some songs with him,” said Byrd. “He had this old Gibson guitar and I fell in love with it. He told me it wasn’t for sale.”
Fast forward to July 2020, the friend texted Byrd and told him it was for sale.
“He said he was so broke that he was willing to part with that Gibson,” said Byrd. “So, I bought it from him.”
Byrd recently chatted with fellow country music musician, Cody Johnson.
“He is trying to help his guys out, too. It’s affected everyone.”
One thing is for certain – Byrd has come to appreciate every chance he gets to take the stage.
“You won’t ever hear me say ‘I’m too tired’ or ‘I’ve booked too many shows.’ I’m so much more thankful,” he said.
While many artists were able to create new material during the down time, Byrd said he was able come up with a few ideas.
“It’s been strange about me but I haven’t been able to get creative,” he said. “It has cast a darkness over my creativeness. I really tried. But here lately, it seems like my creativeness is starting to roll a little more. Once I feel that coming on, and it hits, then my mind starts working when it does when I start writing a record. My last studio album was written in three months, but I’m still waiting for that faucet to turn on.”
Though Byrd has a long and successful catalog of music, you will find a few Christmas singles like “No Room” and “Merry Christmas from Texas, Ya’ll,” but no full-length Christmas album.
“When you record a Christmas album, it’s done in the summer time, which is the busiest touring season,” said Byrd. “We just never got a chance to do it.”
Concert goers will hear several Christmas tunes from Byrd including a swing cover of “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” and several songs from Byrd’s favorite Christmas album, George Strait’s “Merry Christmas Strait to You.”
Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for Byrd’s biggest hits – “Holdin’ Heaven,” “Watermelon Crawl,” “The Keeper of the Stars,” “I’m From the Country, “Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo” and “All American Texan.”
Chad Cooper is the Entertainment Editor. Contact him at cooper@theexaminer.com