Randy Houser Defends Tracy Lawrence in Wake of Concert Brawl

Randy Houser knows the real story of what went down last weekend just before Tracy Lawrence was charged with disorderly conduct, and he wants to set the record straight.

"I believe Tracy is getting a bad rap in the press on this one, I really do," Randy tells The Boot.

Tracy's charges stem from an altercation with event promoter Elmer Cole, Jr., after the Smokin' Country Concert in Bloomville, Ohio. According to the Advertiser-Tribune, both men threw punches after a heated argument. Randy insists that Cole was the one acting out of line.

"Tracy was asked to cut his set short due to a storm, and then my set was canceled in its entirety due to that severe weather," Randy recalls. "Crazy weather and other acts of God just happen from time to time, and it's exactly why event promoters purchase insurance on their shows. Mr. Cole was upset when his show was forced to cancel, as there was no preparation for the storm.

"All the tour buses were stuck in 3 to 6 inches of mud on his private property, and it was made very clear that we were on our own," the 'In God's Time' singer continues. "I believe Tracy had a right to speak to Mr. Cole. What happened after that, I don't know, but I will say that Tracy appeared sober and cool-headed right before he walked down to speak with him. I know that Mr. Cole could have handled the situation with much more professionalism than what was demonstrated."

When police arrived, Tracy had blood running down his face and told officers, according to the official police report, "Hi, my name is Tracy Lawrence. I would like to file charges on Elmer Cole. He punched me in the face and pulled a gun on me."

Cole denies having a weapon. Both men have since filed written pleas of not guilty to the minor charges.

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