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Randy Travis

Born in Marshville, NC

Randy Travis's Genre:

Contemporary Country, New Traditionalist, Country, Neo-Traditionalist Country, Country Gospel, Traditional Country, Progressive Country, Gospel, Religious

Biography

Like the Beatles in rock, Randy Travis marks a generational shift in country music. When his Storms of Life came out in 1986, country music was still wallowing in the post-urban cowboy recession, chasing elusive crossover dreams. Travis brought the music back to its basics, sounding like nothing so much as a perfect blend of George Jones and Merle Haggard. He became the dominant male voice in country until the rise of "hat acts" like Garth Brooks and Clint Black, releasing seven consecutive number one singles during one stretch. He won the CMA's Horizon Award in 1986 and was the association's Male Vocalist of the Year in 1987 and 1988.

Travis (born Randy Bruce Traywick in 1959) was born and raised in North Carolina, in a small town outside of Charlotte. His father encouraged his children to pursue their musical inclinations, as he was a fan of honky tonkers like Hank Williams, Jones, and Lefty Frizzell. Randy began playing guitar at the age of eight, and within two years, he and his brother Ricky formed a duo called the Traywick Brothers. The duo played in local clubs and talent contests. Both of the brothers had a wild streak, which resulted in Ricky going to jail after a car chase and Randy running away to Charlotte at the age of 16. While he was in Charlotte, he won a talent contest at Country City U.S.A., a bar owned by Lib Hatcher. Hatcher was impressed by Travis and offered him a regular gig at her bar, as well as a job as a cook.

For several years, he sang and worked at Country City. He still had trouble with the law in his late teens. At his last run-in with the police, the judge told him if he saw Travis again he should be prepared to go to jail for a long time. Travis was released into the care of Hatcher. In a short time, Hatcher became Travis' manager, and the pair began to concentrate on his career. Joe Stampley helped Travis land a contract with Paula Records in 1978. The following year, Travis released two singles under his given name; one of them, "She's My Woman," scraped the bottom of the country charts. In 1982, Travis and Hatcher moved to Nashville, where she managed the Nashville Palace nightclub while he sang and cooked. Within a couple of years, the pair independently released his debut album under the name Randy Ray; the record was called Randy Ray Live and sold primarily in the Nashville Palace.

Thanks to Hatcher's persistent efforts and the Randy Ray Live album, Warner Bros. signed Travis in 1985 and suggested that he change his performing name to Randy Travis. "On the Other Hand," his first single for the label, was released in the summer of that year and climbed to number 67. Despite its lackluster performance, radio programmers were enthusiastic for Travis, as evidenced by the number six placing of "1982," which was released late in the year. "1982" was followed by a re-release of "On the Other Hand" in the spring of 1986. This time, the song hit number one.

Storms of Life, Travis' full-fledged debut album, was released in the summer of 1986 and became a huge success, eventually selling over three million copies. Travis was the first country artist to go multi-platinum; before his success, most country artists had difficulty achieving gold status. With his mass appeal, he set the stage for country music's crossover success in the early '90s. However, Travis dominated the late '80s. The last two singles from Storms of Life, "Diggin' Up Bones" and "No Place Like Home," hit number one and two, respectively. "Forever and Ever, Amen" -- the first single from his second album, 1987's Always & Forever -- began a streak of seven straight number one singles that ran through 1989. Always & Forever was more successful than his debut, reaching number 19 on the pop charts and going quadruple platinum; it also earned him the CMA's award for Male Vocalist of the Year. Old 8x10 (1988) and No Holdin' Back (1989) weren't quite as successful as their predecessors, but they still spawned number one singles and both went platinum.

Travis was still at the top of his form in the beginning of the '90s, starting the decade with his biggest hit, "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart." However, his hold at the top of the charts began to slip after Clint Black and, in particular, Garth Brooks. Nevertheless, Travis never fell away completely -- his albums continued to gold and he usually could crack the Top Ten. Wind in the Wire, a soundtrack to his television special released in 1992, marked his first unsuccessful album -- none of the singles broke the Top 40. This Is Me, released in 1994, was a successful comeback to the top of the charts, featuring "Whisper My Name," his first number one hit in two years. In August 1996, Travis released Full Circle, his last album for Warner Bros.. He left the label in 1997, signing with the fledgling "super" label DreamWorks. His first album for the label, You and You Alone, was released in the spring of 1998; Man Ain't Made of Stone followed a year later.

Traveling the familiar country route, he released an album of traditional and contemporary religious songs, Inspirational Journey, which hit the stores in late 2000. The album went on to win two awards at the Gospel Music Association's 32nd Annual Dove Awards in 2001; Inspirational Journey took home honors for Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year and Country Recorded Song of the Year for "Baptism." Selected songs from the album also made their way into the two-part finale for Touched by an Angel, which featured Travis in character. Two years later, Travis continued with his gospel fare with the release of Rise and Shine, followed by the similarly reverent Worship & Faith, Passing Through, and Glory Train. Around the Bend appeared in 2008. In 2011, he released Anniversary Celebration, which featured Travis performing duets with Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Don Henley, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Carrie Underwood, and others, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his recording career. ~ Brian Mansfield & Stephen Thomas Erlewine

AOL Radio Stations Randy Travis is Featured on (9)

Country Christmas

Get in the spirit of the season with Country Christmas on Slacker Radio. You'll hear all the holiday standards and new seasonal releases from today's biggest country stars including Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Alan Jackson and Rascal Flatts--plus classic artists like Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Gene Autry and Merle Haggard.

Classic Country

Classic Country on Slacker Radio is for folks who really want it COUNTRY! If you’ve found that most country radio stations around today don’t play real country music, well Classic Country is just for you. All the big names are here including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton and more!

Justin Moore Showcase

This is the Justin Moore Artist Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear music hand-picked by Justin as well as commentary about the songs that influenced his music and his life.

'90s Country

The popularity of country music exploded in the 1990's fueled by new artists like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Brooks and Dunn. They not only changed the sound of country music, but created a whole new generation of country fans. Hear the biggest country songs from one of the biggest decades in country music on 90's Country on Slacker Radio.

The White Buffalo Showcase

This is The White Buffalo Showcase station on Slacker Radio. Tune in to hear a station built entirely by The White Buffalo including music that he hand-picked as well as commentary about the songs that influenced his music and his life.

Country Love

Country music is the music of our lives; the good, the bad, love, and loss. Country Love on Slacker Radio takes the best of Country and focuses only on the love songs: old fashion All-American love stories. Country Love on Slacker Radio plays everything from today’s superstars to yesterday’s timeless country. Fall in love with the boy or girl next door all over again. If you already enjoy Country on Slacker Radio, this is your Valentines Day soundtrack.

Country

Country on Slacker Radio plays the biggest country hits of the '90s and today with a few of the all-time favorites sprinkled in just to make things interesting! Country is the number one music choice in America and this fun, up-tempo blend of music will keep your boots scootin'! You’ll hear all of the big artists of today including Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts mixed in with all-time greats like George Strait, Alan Jackson and Reba McEntire.

Top Christmas Hits

Top Christmas Hits on Slacker Radio is the perfect soundtrack for your holiday festivities. Enjoy classic songs from Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives and Johnny Mathis as well as contemporary artists like Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé and the cast of Glee.

Randy Travis

This station plays the best music from and music from related artists like George Strait, Alabama, Travis Tritt, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, Vince Gill, Dwight Yoakam and more.

All Stations

Randy Travis's Selected Discography (50)

Tonight I'm Playin' Possum

2013 Warner Bros. Records Inc.SINGLE20131 Songs

Blessed Assurance

2003 Word Entertainment LLC, A Warner/Curb Company.201115 Songs

Around the Bend

2008 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S.ECD200811 Songs

Songs of the Season

2007 Word Entertainment LLC, A Warner/Curb Company.200713 Songs

Glory Train

2005 Word Entertainment LLC, A Warner/Curb Company.200519 Songs

Passing Through

2004 Word Entertainment LLC, A Warner/Curb Company.200412 Songs

Inspirational Journey

2000 Warner Bros. Records Inc.200412 Songs

Worship & Faith

2003 Word Entertainment LLC, A Warner/Curb Company.200320 Songs

Rise and Shine

2002 Word Entertainment LLC, a Warner/Curb Company200213 Songs

A Man Ain't Made of Stone

(C) Dreamworks LLC (P) SKG Music Nashville LLC/Dreamworks Records Nashville199912 Songs

You and You Alone

(C)(P) 1998 SKG Music Nashville LLC/Dreamworks Records Nashville199812 Songs

Full Circle

1996 Warner Bros.199612 Songs

Wind in the Wire

1993 Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the U.S.199510 Songs

This Is Me

1994 Warner Bros Records 199410 Songs

High Lonesome

1991 Warner Bros. Records199110 Songs

Heroes and Friends

1990 Warner Bros. Records199014 Songs

No Holdin' Back

1989 Warner Bros Records 198910 Songs

Artists Related to Randy Travis (50)

	George Strait	Out of all the new country singers to emerge in the early '80s, George Strait stayed the closest to traditional country.
	Alabama	Before Alabama, bands were usually relegated to a supporting role in country music. In the first part of the century, bands were popular with audiences across the country, but as recordings became available, nearly every popular recording artist was a vocalist, not a group.
	Travis Tritt	Travis Tritt was one of the leading new country singers of the early '90s, holding his own against Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Alan Jackson.
	Alan Jackson	After Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson was the most popular male country singer of the '90s. An heir to the new traditionalist movement of the '80s, Jackson's approach was rooted in classic honky tonk yet remained comfortably within the contemporary mainstream.
	Clint Black	A country music traditionalist from Texas, Clint Black was one of the first artists to kick-start the mass-market popularity of country in the '90s.
	Garth Brooks	Garth Brooks is a pivotal figure in the history of country music, no matter how much some country purists would like to deny it.
	Brooks & Dunn	The undisputed kings of the '90s line-dancing craze, Brooks & Dunn are not only the biggest-selling duo in country music history, they've also sold more records than any other duo period, including Simon & Garfunkel.
	George Jones	By most accounts, George Jones was the finest vocalist in the recorded history of country music. Initially, he was a hardcore honky tonker in the tradition of Hank Williams, but over the course of his career he developed an affecting, nuanced ballad style.
	Vince Gill	Vince Gill paid nearly a decade-and-a-half of dues en route to becoming one of the most popular country stars of the '90s.
	Dwight Yoakam	With his stripped-down approach to traditional honky tonk and Bakersfield country, Dwight Yoakam helped return country music to its roots in the late '80s.
	Conway Twitty	Originally a '50s rock & roll singer, Conway Twitty became the reigning country superstar of the '70s and '80s, racking up a record 40 number one hits over the course of two decades.
	Tracy Lawrence	Part of the commercial rise of rock-tinged honky tonk in the early '90s, Tracy Lawrence was one of the decade's most reliable country hitmakers.
	Hank Williams, Jr.	The offspring of famous musicians often have a hard time creating a career for themselves, yet Hank Williams, Jr.
	Sammy Kershaw	Sammy Kershaw rode in on the new traditionalist wave in the early '90s, finding success with a penchant for ballads and a blend of updated honky tonk (especially the vocal stylings of George Jones), Southern rock, and a hint of Cajun flavor.
	Mark Chesnutt	Neo-honky tonker Mark Chesnutt parlayed a solid grounding in classic country into chart-topping stardom during the '90s.
	Tanya Tucker	Tanya Tucker had her first country hit in 1972, when she was just 13 years old. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature into adulthood without losing her audience, and during the course of her career, she notched a remarkable streak of Top Ten and Top 40 hits.
	John Michael Montgomery	Part of the '90s wave of honky tonk hitmakers that brought country to new commercial heights, John Michael Montgomery made his name primarily as a romantic balladeer.
	Toby Keith	Toby Keith spent the '90s as a solid, workmanlike country star who met with considerable chart success, yet never quite broke free of the neo-traditionalist pack to become a household name like Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson.
	Sawyer Brown	One of those rare acts who actually became stars directly from winning Star Search, country-rockers Sawyer Brown wound up enjoying a long, hit-filled career and remained commercially viable into the new millennium.
	Trace Adkins	Trace Adkins helped keep country's traditionalist flame burning during the crossover-happy late '90s, mixing classic honky tonk with elements of gospel, blues, and rock & roll.
	Reba McEntire	Reba McEntire was the most successful female recording artist in country music in the 1980s and 1990s, during which time she scored 22 number one hits and released five gold albums, six platinum albums, two double-platinum albums, four triple-platinum albums, a quadruple-platinum album, and a quintuple-platinum album, for certified album sales of 33.
	Diamond Rio	Diamond Rio found major commercial success in the '90s by playing an eclectic hybrid of modern country, traditional bluegrass (especially in their harmony singing), and a hint of rock & roll.
	Waylon Jennings	If any one performer personified the outlaw country movement of the '70s, it was Waylon Jennings. Though he had been a professional musician since the late '50s, it wasn't until the '70s that Waylon, with his imposing baritone and stripped-down, updated honky tonk, became a superstar.
	Tim McGraw	When Tim McGraw debuted in the early '90s, few would have predicted that he would eventually take over Garth Brooks' position as the most popular male singer in country music.
	Aaron Tippin	Aaron Tippin was part of the commercial explosion of new traditionalist country in the early '90s, making his name with a mixture of macho, rowdy honky tonkers, sentimental ballads, and patriotic working-man's anthems.
	Merle Haggard	As a performer and a songwriter, Merle Haggard was the most important country artist to emerge in the 1960s, and he became one of the leading figures of the Bakersfield country scene in the '60s.
	Kenny Rogers	It took several tries before Kenny Rogers became a star. As a member of the First Edition (and the New Christy Minstrels before that), he shared in some million-sellers, among them "Reuben James" and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town," an excellent Mel Tillis song about a disabled veteran.
	Joe Diffie	Joe Diffie was regarded by many of his peers as one of the better vocalists in contemporary country, and lent his traditional sensibilities to humorous, rock-tinged novelties and plaintive ballads.
	John Anderson	Neo-honky tonker John Anderson was born in Apopka, FL, in 1955 and grew up listening to rock & roll, until he discovered country music at age 15 through Merle Haggard.
	Tracy Byrd	Tracy Byrd's brand of new traditionalist country made him a star in the '90s, particularly his playful, good-time party singalongs (though he also turned in the occasional ballad success).
	Johnny Cash	Johnny Cash was one of the most imposing and influential figures in post-World War II country music.
	Ronnie Milsap	Ronnie Milsap was one of the major figures of country music in the 1970s, developing a hybrid of country and pop that brought him a large audience.
	Clay Walker	With his first two singles reaching number one upon their release, Clay Walker immediately established himself as a commercial success.
	Kenny Chesney	Contemporary country star Kenny Chesney didn't have the immediate breakout success that many of his peers enjoyed upon signing with major labels, but gradually built up a significant following via hard work, pop-friendly ballads, and a likable, "Average Joe" persona.
	Charlie Daniels	A talented and showy fiddler, Charlie Daniels and his band fuse hardcore country with a hard-edged Southern rock, boogie, and blues.
	The Oak Ridge Boys	One of the longest-running groups in country music, the Oak Ridge Boys started life as a gospel quartet before gradually modernizing their style and moving into secular country-pop.
	Willie Nelson	As a songwriter and a performer, Willie Nelson played a vital role in post-rock & roll country music.
	The Judds	Up until the rise of Brooks & Dunn in the '90s, the Judds were the most commercially successful duo in country music history.
	Charley Pride	With 36 number one hits under his belt, Charley Pride, who is black, has helped prove how little race matters to the majority of country music fans.
	Lonestar	Though their name might lead you to believe that Lonestar was formed in Texas, the quintet actually hails from Tennessee.
	Dolly Parton	It's difficult to find a country performer who has moved from her country roots to international fame more successfully than Dolly Parton.
	Trisha Yearwood	One of the most popular female country singers of the '90s, Trisha Yearwood initially rose to fame as a protégée of Garth Brooks but quickly staked out her own identity as an assertive yet vulnerable modern woman.
	Little Texas	One of the most popular country bands of the early '90s, Little Texas was influenced by modern country outfits like Alabama and Restless Heart, as well as country-rock groups like the Eagles.
	Montgomery Gentry	Country duo Montgomery Gentry evokes the sound and spirit of Southern rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band, and Charlie Daniels, painting themselves as rowdy redneck rebels who still hold small-town values.
	Brad Paisley	Contemporary country singer/songwriter Brad Paisley was born October 28, 1972, in Glen Dale, West Virginia; given his first guitar at age eight, he delivered his first public performance at church two years later.
	Gary Allan	Gary Allan hit the honky tonk circuit in his native Southern California at the seasoned age of 12. Playing in and out of the smoky, sweaty bars with his dad's band led Allan to follow in his father's footsteps and start his own band.
	Collin Raye	Contemporary country star Collin Raye burned up the sales charts in the '90s, thanks to a blend of country-rock and smooth balladry, and a willingness to record socially conscious material in between the dance and romance tunes.
	Hank Williams	Hank Williams is the father of contemporary country music. He was a superstar by the age of 25; he was dead at the age of 29.
	Shenandoah	Most country groups of the '80s favored a commercial pop-oriented approach that alienated many traditional listeners but captured the ear of the mainstream.
	Loretta Lynn	Loretta Lynn is one of the classic country singers. During the '60s and '70s, she ruled the charts, racking up over 70 hits as a solo artist and a duet partner.

I Am Going

3:46

from: Inspirational Journey

2000 Warner Bros. Records Inc.

from: Heroes and Friends

1990 Warner Bros. Records