Cover Story

rockin’ Nashville and talkin’ trucking

When Lindsay Lawler takes the stage at the world-famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville, TN, the mostly tourist crowd gets exactly what they came to Nashville to see – hot country music that captures the heart and soul of hometown America. This is the people’s music, and the people love to hear Lindsay sing as she immediately captures the audience with her high-energy stage show and powerful singing voice. 
     Driver HEALTH came to Tootsie’s to see Lindsay’s show and talk to this dynamic rising country music star about her devotion to the American Trucker and her new affiliation with the Healthy Trucking Association of America (HTAA). Lindsay is one of many country music artists who have signed on to promote the HTAA and help improve the health of our nation’s professional drivers. But most of the other people at Tootsie’s didn’t come to interview Lindsay–they came to hear this 5-foot 3-inch ball of fire belt out her brand of hot country at this legendary live music venue, and by the time she finished her encore at the end of the night, the people knew that they got exactly what they came to see. 
     After an action-packed performance that included leaving the stage at one point to stroll across the top of the bar, Lindsay appropriately wrapped her show up with her original song, “Truckers and Rodeo Crowds.”  After spending some quality time talking with her fans and signing autographs, Lindsay made it back to our table to sit down and answer a few questions for our readers.
Tell our readers a little about yourself,
Lindsay – where are you from originally?      
I always call myself a Red River Girl. I was born in Oklahoma and raised in Dallas but I have family in both states. So basically, I spent my time between the two.

What were you like as a little girl? Did you start singing when you were young?
 
I was definitely NOT a shy child! I’ve always been a total ham. My family would constantly find me wandering off performing for strangers and I would jump up on stage any time possible. I grew up singing in school, church, community theater and local honky-tonks…anywhere I could possibly get some-one to look at me! Country, gospel and Broadway music are my roots and what I sang growing up. Then in college at the University of Oklahoma, I was music chair in my sorority and lead singer for a rock band. I believe that is what changed my life.

How did you settle into country music?

After college I moved to Los Angeles and fronted another rock band and got to perform at the Viper Room, Whisky A Go-Go and The Roxy.  It was a great experience, but after being in L.A. for a few years, I saw a void of passion in my music and desperately wanted to return to my country roots. On a whim, I packed my bags and moved to Nashville to pursue my true dream, which I am now living! I perform three days a week here at the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville, which is incredible. I love country music more than anything. I love the stories it tells, I love the longevity you can have with it and I love the values it instills.

Tell us about your popular song ‘Truckers and Rodeo Crowds’

My father and a lot of family friends work in the trucking industry, so trucking has always been a part of my life. I found out I would be playing at various trucking conventions in the future and wanted to write a song that would be a fun anthem for these shows. So one day at a writing session that started out with a love song, I scrapped the ballad halfway through and proclaimed, “I need a fun trucking song for my peeps!” and so “Truckers and Rodeo Crowds” was born. It basically speaks of my upbringing in Dallas surrounded by country club goers and socialites, and me always wanting to break free from the mold and explore the country! I’ve met some amazing people, including a lot of truck drivers passing through town, many of whom I have stayed in touch with! In fact, one driver just got engaged and asked me to sing at his wedding! I love my truckers and I’ve never met a trucker I didn’t think would be fun to hang out with, so this song is for them! 

Tell us about your new CD

I finished my self-titled EP in July featuring five original songs, all of which I co-wrote. It’s got a rocking country feel, and I’m very proud of it. I am blessed to be able to work with some of the most talented songwriters and musicians in Nashville who made my project come to life. Since then, I have written a bunch of new material that I will be recording soon, and I plan on having the full record completed this spring. (You can currently hear the EP online at lindsaylawler.com.)
     
Why do you feel it’s important to support the Healthy Trucking Association of America?

The Healthy Trucking Association of America is such an important cause, and I am thrilled to take part in promoting it and working alongside. Without the trucking industry our economy and way of life would plummet, so keeping our hard-working truckers healthy is crucial. They sacrifice so much being away from their homes and families, so I’m inspired to help promote a healthier, happier way of life for them. 
    
Tell us about the Trucker’s Blog you’re writing for the HTAA Web site

I was inspired to start a Trucker’s Blog after meeting two truckers stuck in Nashville over-night on New Year’s Eve. They couldn’t make it back to their families that night, so they had to spend New Year’s in Nashville. I spoke with one of them about his girlfriend back home and convinced him life was too short and he needed to go home and propose! Sure enough, he called me two weeks later and said that he popped the question! I love these kinds of stories and connecting with people, as it must get lonely sometimes on the road.  I look forward to starting a blog to stay in touch and highlight a trucker of the month!

Would you like to tell us about any new material for future release?

I just finished a song called “High-Tech Redneck” that makes me laugh. It fits great with the constant evolution of technology in every industry, and can very easily translate to the trucking industry. And for the record, I call myself a redneck in many ways, so I mean this as a compliment to all my fellow all-American rednecks! I also have a new duet with another Nashville artist, a great mid-tempo song called “Cowgirl Fairytale” and some super-fun new rocking country songs.  It will be a CD in which each song is very different, and I love that.
            
You have a lot of fans out there who are truck drivers.  Is there anything you’d like to say to them?

I salute all of the hard-working men and women who spend so much of their life on the road. I have become attached to the industry and have loved hearing their stories from the road, and more importantly hearing that they listen to my music on their long hauls!  I thank you all so much for the support and hope to continue to write music that inspires you and keeps you truckin’!