Country music legend Tracy Lawrence felt like he had no choice but to “pull the plug” on pursuing a side career in California. There’s been a mass exodus from the “Golden State” over the years. Whether it be wildfires, do-nothing politics, or rising prices, Californians are ditching the west coast for places like Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee, (just to name a few landing spots). Ask any of them why and they’ll tell you that California isn’t what it used to be. Even Hollywood isn’t the place to be to make movies and TV shows anymore… just ask Taylor Sheridan. Lawrence recently sat down on the Like A Farmer Podcast, and he too has pretty much given up on California. The “Time Marches On” singer revealed that he had been working with some acting coaches and was exploring an acting career, but he eventually gave up on all of it because of the current state of California: “I had a couple of different acting coaches that I was working with over the last several years, but I mean, it’s just weird going out to California these days, man. It’s kind of… it’s disheartening. I just kind of pulled the plug on all that stuff.” The ’90s country star admitted that the state boasts a lot of natural beauty, and said despite what many might say, it’s full of wonderful people. But it just became too much to handle – financially and otherwise – for the side pursuits in his life. When it comes to touring in California, Lawrence does his best to make it work. However, he goes into it knowing that that traveling with a load of buses can quickly eat up the potential profit of the trip: “I’ve got about a three week run out there in August and September. Man, we’re looking at $10 a gallon just for gas. You know, take a fleet of buses out there and your trucks and stuff and go out there and try to promote shows. They tax you to death. The economy out there is awful. You know, the price of fuel and just getting in and out of the states, tremendous. It’s basically as difficult and as unprofitable as going into Canada right now.” Clearly Canada and California aren’t two of Tracy Lawrence’s favorite places… at least when it comes to finances, and trying to manage a fleet of tour buses. You can hear the country star talk more about it in the Like A Farmer interview below: And speaking of a fleet of buses… Not too long ago, we got a chance to catch up with Tracy Lawrence on his very own tour bus backstage at Barefoot Country Music Fest. The country star talked to us about traveling, playing beach festivals, staying connected in country music after decades in the industry, why he loves doing his very own podcast, his country music Mount Rushmore (which is conveniently tattooed on his arm) and much, much more. Make sure to check it out before you go! The post Tracy Lawrence Gives Honest Take On Why He Gave Up On California: “It’s Disheartening” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.