Tracy Lawrence has been a mainstay on country radio since his debut album, "Sticks and Stones," was released 15 years ago. The veteran performer said that he hopes he's left his mark on the music.

"At the end of the road, I want to be looked at as one of the guys who inspired me," Lawrence said. "I hope I'm held in the same regard as a (Merle) Haggard, (George) Jones or a Waylon (Jennings)."

That, however, is the future. Right now, the 38-year-old Texas native has plenty more he wants to accomplish.

Chief among them is getting his new music to radio via his own label. Last month, Lawrence and his brother, Laney, started Rocky Comfort Records, following the lead of country hitmakers such as Toby Keith and Clint Black by going independent.

"Radio is more receptive to independent labels than it's ever been," Lawrence said. "We're in a time where music is going to have to stand on itself. That makes it easier for guys on smaller labels.

"On major record labels, it takes so much money to keep them going," he added. "You don't see any money even when you're going platinum."

Lawrence performs Saturday at the San Joaquin Fair.

The singer said he is confident the new label will mean more artistic freedom. His next album will be titled "For the Love" and the title track is a duet with Brad Arnold, the lead singer of the rock band 3 Doors Down.

"I've become friends with all those guys and we've been doing charity work together," Lawrence said. "He's been wanting to do more country, branching out more.

"He came in the studio and nailed it. It's more of a power ballad - and very much pop country."

Despite that characterization, Lawrence - who has built a career on traditional country and Southern rock-tinged hits - made it clear that he's not crossing over to pop. The album's first single, "You Find Out Who You're Friends Are," will be released to radio next month.

Lawrence noted that his 90-minute Stockton set will be one of the first to feature a healthy dose of his new music. Lawrence has opened 30 shows this year on George Strait's tour, during which he played a 45-minute set between the headliner and newcomer Miranda Lambert's set. He didn't showcase new music, however, opting instead to play such hits as "Time Marches On" and "If the World Had a Front Porch."