From Billboard · Tom Roland · · 1m 20s
Tracy Lawrence's 11-Year Climb Back to No. 1
How a song about friendship became a record-breaking country hit with help from Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw.
In brief
How a song about friendship became a record-breaking country hit with help from Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw. Tracy Lawrence's 'Find Out Who Your Friends Are' took a record 41 weeks to reach No. 1, ending an 11-year gap between chart-toppers. Originally reported by Billboard.
A decade between No. 1 hits
Tracy Lawrence last topped Hot Country Songs in 1996 with 'Time Marches On.' His next chart-topper wouldn't arrive for over a decade.
The comeback begins in 2006
'Find Out Who Your Friends Are' debuted at No. 59 on Sept. 16, 2006. It was the first single on Lawrence's self-owned Rocky Comfort label.
Star power joins the track
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw added vocals to an alternate version. George Jones, Darryl Worley, and Larry the Cable Guy appeared in the video.
Sony's failed radio ban
Sony BMG sent a letter in June 2007 warning stations not to play the collaboration. Broadcasters ignored it, and Sony rescinded the edict the next day.
A record-breaking climb to the top
The song reached No. 1 on June 23, 2007, after a then-record 41-week climb. It ended Lawrence's 11-year gap between chart-toppers.
Awards and lasting legacy
'Friends' won CMA's musical event of the year and ACM's vocal event trophy. It remains Lawrence's most recent No. 1 of eight career chart-toppers.
Here's the gist
Tracy Lawrence's 'Find Out Who Your Friends Are' took a record 41 weeks to reach No. 1, ending an 11-year gap between chart-toppers.
