Randy Travis going strong after 25 years
When he came on the music scene years ago, he was heralded as part of the wave of traditionalists that were taking the music industry by storm.
His voice combined with solid country arrangements ushered him into the hearts of true country music fans.
His work garnered him seven Grammy awards and sales in excess of 20 million albums and an opportunity to crossover into acting making over 40 appearances on TV and in film and his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“I’m surprised at how fast the first 25 years have gone by,” Randy said recently. “It feels like only five.”
I remember when he was making his first TV appearance on Matlock in 1992 as Billy Wheeler breaking into acting. I visited the set with director Leo Penn during that week and of course beginning with another North Carolinian – Andy Griffith was a good place for him to start.
His most recent movie roles include “Jerusalem Countdown” as “Jack Thompson” and he appears as “George Baker” in the upcoming period film “16 South.”
Randy is not resting on his laurels though, he is touring as he continues marking his Silver Anniversary with appearances from coast to coast.
“There’s no better feeling than being on stage and the connection with a live audience,” Randy said.
Warner Bros. Records marked the anniversary with the release of the “Anniversary Celebration” album last June.
Among the selections on the 17-track CD are a combination of originals and Travis favorites such as “More Life,” “Road to Surrender,” “He Walked on Water” and “Forever and Ever, Amen” including guest artists such as Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Kris Kristofferson, Carrie Underwood, George Jones, Zac Brown Band, and Lorrie Morgan.
Also available currently is his Cracker Barrel Old Country Store ® 11-track CD – Randy Travis benefitting the national Wounded Warriors Project.
Travis is definitely one of the most successful of country music’s class of the 1980s with 18 #1 singles, 29 Top 10 chartings, certification of the rare quintuple platinum album (Always and Forever, released in 1987), one triple platinum album (Storms of Life, released in 1986), two double platinum’s (Old 8×10, released in 1988, and No Holding Back, released in 1989), eight platinum albums, and 10 gold albums.
Even with a long list of CMA, ACM, AMA and Dove awards, he still says that he considers his 1986 induction to the Grand Ole Opry as a shining highlight of his first 25 years.
While some media outlets may want to tell you about some recent exploit that dulls the shine of a star’s career, I wanted to remind folks Randy is someone that has lifted our spirits for the last quarter century.
Let’s help lift his spirits by encouraging success with his upcoming projects and concerts. Let him know that there are many more people that he can impact positively with his talents.
For more information on the tour and CD, please visit: www.randytravis.
