Country star Tracy Lawrence is reflecting on a moment that nearly ended his life and permanently changed the way he understands survival, success, and faith. More than 30 years after being shot four times during a mugging in Nashville, Lawrence is speaking candidly about the trauma he carried for decades and the cost of never fully dealing with it at the time.
The incident happened in May 1991 while Lawrence was recording his debut album, Sticks and Stones. Walking a girlfriend back to her hotel, the rising country singer was ambushed by multiple armed attackers.
The robbery turned violent, leaving Lawrence critically wounded and requiring major surgery to remove bullets. One bullet lodged in his hip was never removed, while another passed through the joint of his left knee, an injury that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
At the time, Lawrence pushed forward without addressing the psychological damage. Looking back now, he admits that was a mistake. He describes being consumed by anger after the shooting, feeling as though someone had tried to steal his future just as his career was beginning.
Instead of seeking professional help, he suppressed the trauma, a decision that led to years of strained personal relationships and professional challenges. He now openly acknowledges that neglecting his mental health created consequences he did not understand at the time.
Lawrence also spoke about developing what he calls a “God complex” after surviving an experience he believes he should not have. That sense of invincibility pushed him to take greater risks and live closer to the edge than he otherwise might have.
Over time, he has come to understand that survival does not mean immunity, and that unresolved trauma has a way of resurfacing in destructive ways.
The physical toll has been just as enduring. Lawrence spent days at Vanderbilt Medical Center undergoing multiple surgeries and later faced the possibility of losing his leg. He has since undergone a total knee replacement, developed ankle problems linked to the original injury, and is now preparing for additional surgery. The damage never fully healed; it simply lingered.
Despite everything, Lawrence credits his love for music and his faith for carrying him forward. He describes a lifelong relationship with God that has included highs and lows, doubt and reassurance, but one that has never fully disappeared. Prayer, family, and church support played a significant role in helping him navigate the aftermath of the shooting and the years that followed.
