Randy Travis
From Musiki
Randy Travis lived a pretty rowdy life into his early twenties. Drinking, pot smoking, and fighting are among the lifestyle choices he admits making. He even spent a few nights in jail.
However, Randy says that the fear of going "straight to hell" drove him to the Bible. "I went to bed one night and just started reading the Bible." Randy further indicates, "That's how the slow process of coming to understand that I needed to know more about the Word of God began, and then coming to the point of accepting Christ and water baptism."
Randy's music has often had indications of his faith showing through. As early as his second major label album Always & Forever, an understanding of Biblical principles can be seen in the lyrics of his country chart topping single "Forever and Ever, Amen."
More of his story can be found here: http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2009/randytravis-0309.html
Contents |
History
Randy Bruce Traywick was raised in the 60's and 70's in Marshville, NC. He was influenced in his youth by the music of George Jones, Hank Williams and Lefty Frizell and began playing guitar at the age of 8. He and his brother, Ricky, played as a duo in talent contests and local clubs. After a run-in with the law landed Ricky in jail, Randy ran away to Charlotte at the age of 16.
While in Charlotte, he won a talent contest at Country City U.S.A., and got a regular gig at the bar. Bar owner, Lib Hatcher eventually became Randy's manager.
Randy was signed to Paula Records in 1978 and released a few singles under his given name and the single "She's My Woman" just barely got on the country charts.
Wanting to concentrate on his career, Randy and Lib moved to Nashville. They independently released Randy's debut Randy Ray Live under the psuedonym Randy Ray.
In 1985, Randy signed to Warner Bros. and based on the labels suggestion changed his stage name to Randy Travis. His major label debut Storms of Life came out in 1986 and was a critical and commercial success.
It would not have been surprising if Randy's sophomore effort did not live up to his debut success but the lead single "Forever and Ever, Amen" from 1987's Always & Forever became the first of seven straight number one singles pushing Randy into the startosphere of country music. Very few country artists had sales approaching "Gold" let alone debuting with two multi-platinum albums.
Randy remained on top through the 80's and opened up the door for the crossover success of country music in the 90's. Randy remained at the pinnacle of country music until the "Hat Acts" like Clint Black and Garth Brooks began to rule the charts.
Throughout the 90's, the "Hat Acts" didn't push Randy out completely. He continued to have gold record sales and charting singles. He even scored a number one with "Whisper My Name" in 1994.
In 2000, Randy changed pace, though not unexpectedly for a country artist. He released Inspirational Journey an album of traditional and contemporary religious songs. This earned him two GMA Dove awards for Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year and Country Recorded Song of the Year for "Baptism."
Now came the unexpected part of Randy's change of pace. He followed up Inspirational Journey with five more Gospel/Inpirational albums through 2007's Christmas album Songs of the Season.
In 2008, Randy returned to secular country recording with Around the Bend.
Website
Discography
Gospel Releases
Inspirational Journey - 2000 - Warner Bros.
Rise and Shine - 2002 - Warner Bros.
Worship & Faith - 2003 - Word
Passing Through - 2004 - Word/Curb/Warner Bros.
Glory Train - 2005 - Word
Songs of the Season - 2007 - Word
Mainstream Country
Storms of Life - 1986 - Warner Bros.
Always & Forever - 1987 - Warner Bros.
Old 8x10 - 1988 - Warner Bros.
An Old Time Christmas - 1989 - Warner Bros.
No Holdin' Back - 1989 - Warner Bros.
Heroes and Friends - 1990 - Warner Bros.
High Lonesome - 1991 - Warner Bros.
Wind in the Wire - 1992 - Warner Bros.
This Is Me - 1994 - Warner Bros.
Full Circle - 1996 - Warner Bros.
You and You Alone - 1998 - DreamWorks
A Man Ain't Made of Stone - 1999 - DreamWorks
Live: It Was Just a Matter of Time - 2001 - Image
Around the Bend - 2008 - Warner Bros.
Awards
CMA (Country Music Association)Awards
1986 - Horizon Award (New Artist of the Year)
1987 - Album Of The Year For Always And Forever
1987 - Male Vocalist Of The Year
1987 - Single Of The Year "Forever And Ever, Amen"
1988 - Male Vocalist Of The Year
CMA (Country Music Association)Nominations
1986 - Album Of The Year For Storms of Life
1986 - Horizon Award
1986 - Male Vocalist Of The Year
1986 - Single Of The Year For "On The Other Hand"
1987 - Album Of The Year For Always And Forever
1987 - Entertainer Of The Year
1987 - Male Vocalist Of The Year
1987 - Music Video Of The Year For "Forever And Ever, Amen"
1987 - Single Of The Year For "Forever And Ever, Amen"
1988 - Entertainer Of The Year
1988 - Male Vocalist Of The Year
1988 - Single Of The Year For "I Told You So"
1988 - Song Of The Year For "I Told You So"
1989 - Album Of The Year For Old 8x10
1989 - Entertainer Of The Year
1989 - Male Vocalist Of The Year
1990 - Entertainer Of The Year
1990 - Music Video Of The Year For "He Walked On Water”
1991 - Vocal Event Of The Year
1992 - Vocal Event Of The Year
1999 - Vocal Event Of The Year For "Same Old Train"
2003 - Single Of The Year For "Three Wooden Crosses"
Gospel Music Association Dove Awards
2001 - Country Recorded Song Of The Year For "Baptism"
2001 - Bluegrass Album Of The Year For Inspirational Journey
2003 - Country Album Of The Year For Rise And Shine
2004- Country Album Of The Year For Worship And Faith
2004 - Country Recorded Song Of The Year For "Three Wooden Crosses"
2005 - Country Album Of The Year For Passing Through
2006 - Country Album Of The Year For Glory Train
Grammy Awards
1987 - Best Male Country Vocal Performance for Always & Forever
1988 - Best Male Country Vocal Performance for Old 8x10
1998 - Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Same Old Train”
2003 - Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Rise and Shine
2006 - Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Glory Train
