Randy Travis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Randy Travis
Travis performing in Bolingbrook, Illinois, in 2007
Born	Randy Bruce Traywick (1959-05-04) May 4, 1959 (age 66) Marshville, North Carolina, U.S.
Other names	Randy Ray
Occupation	Singer Songwriter Actor
Years active	1979–present
Works	Filmography Awards and nominations
Spouse(s)	Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher ​ ​ (m. 1991; div. 2010)​ Mary Davis ​ (m. 2015)​
Musical career
Genres	Country Gospel
Instruments	Vocals Acoustic guitar
Labels	Paula Warner Nashville DreamWorks Nashville Word Gaither Music Group

Randy Bruce Traywick (born May 4, 1959), known as Randy Travis, is an American country and gospel music singer, songwriter, and actor. He started his career in 1979 and has released over 20 studio albums. More than 50 of his songs have appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, with sixteen of them reaching the number-one spot.

Randy Travis became very popular in the mid-1980s with his album Storms of Life. This album sold millions of copies. He continued to release many successful albums. He has won seven Grammy Awards, eleven ACM Awards, and eight Dove Awards. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. Some of his most famous songs include "On the Other Hand", "Forever and Ever, Amen", "I Told You So", "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart", and "Three Wooden Crosses".

He is known for helping bring back a more traditional country sound in the 1980s. This style is called neotraditional country. His albums were often produced by Kyle Lehning. Critics have praised his deep singing voice, comparing it to other famous singers like Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard. After a serious health event in 2013, which affected his ability to sing and speak, he has released older recordings and made special public appearances. Other singers, like James Dupré, have toured performing his songs. In 2024 and 2025, Randy Travis released new songs where his voice was recreated using special technology.

Randy Travis has also acted in movies and TV shows. Some of his roles include the TV movies Wind in the Wire (1993) and A Holiday to Remember (1995), and the movie Black Dog (1998) with Patrick Swayze.

Early Life and Musical Start

Randy Bruce Traywick was born on May 4, 1959, in Marshville, North Carolina. He was the second of six children. His father, Harold Traywick, worked as a meat packer and built houses. Harold loved listening to country music and also sang, played guitar, and wrote his own songs.

When Randy was eight, his father sent him and his brothers to a friend, Kate Magnum, to learn guitar. Harold even built a stage behind their house for his sons to sing. Randy and his brother Ricky first performed in public in 1968 at a talent show. They continued to perform at local shows, and their brother David later joined them on bass guitar.

As a teenager, Randy left school in the ninth grade. He had some difficulties during his teenage years. His parents always supported him, helping him when he faced problems.

In 1977, the Traywick family entered a talent competition in Charlotte, North Carolina. The prize was $100 and a recording session. The competition was held at Country City USA, a nightclub co-owned by Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher, who would later become Randy's wife. Randy won the competition. Afterward, Hatcher and a disc jockey helped Randy with some legal issues, and he came under Hatcher's care instead of going to jail. Hatcher also hired Randy to sing at Country City USA. She helped him improve his singing and performing.

Music Career Journey

Lib Hatcher invited many country music singers to her club to make connections in Nashville, Tennessee. One singer, Joe Stampley, agreed to produce a recording session for Randy in Nashville. Hatcher paid for the session and promotion through a record label called Paula Records. They released two songs, "She's My Woman" and "I'll Take Any Willing Woman," in 1979. "She's My Woman" reached number 91 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

After these songs didn't become big hits, Hatcher and Randy kept sending demo recordings to record companies, but didn't get much interest at first. In 1981, they moved to Nashville to be closer to the country music scene. They rented part of their house to songwriter and producer Keith Stegall. Stegall introduced them to song publisher Charlie Monk. Stegall also sent Randy's demos to other producers.

In 1982, Hatcher started managing a nightclub called the Nashville Palace. She first hired Randy to wash dishes, but soon had him perform there. He started using the name Randy Ray, which he and Hatcher thought was easier to say. Hatcher also rented office space in the club to other music industry people. Randy Ray continued to work on his songwriting with Stegall. By the end of 1982, Hatcher and the club owner helped fund an album called Randy Ray Live at the Nashville Palace. Randy also appeared on a talent show called You Can Be a Star in 1983 and performed several times on the TV show Nashville Now.

Even with this exposure, Randy still didn't get a record deal in 1984. Martha Sharp, who worked for Warner Bros. Records in Nashville, heard about Randy Ray. She arranged for him to record four songs. Executives didn't like the name "Randy Ray," so Sharp suggested "Randy Travis."

1985-1986: Storms of Life Album

Randy Travis signed with Warner Nashville in early 1985. His first four songs included "Prairie Rose," "On the Other Hand", "Carrying Fire," and "Reasons I Cheat." "Prairie Rose" was used in a 1985 movie. Keith Whitley also recorded "On the Other Hand" for his album. These songs were produced by Stegall and Kyle Lehning.

Travis performed on Nashville Now again in May 1985. Warner released "On the Other Hand" in July 1985, and it reached number 67 on the country charts. His next song, "1982", became his first big hit, reaching number six in early 1986. After this success, Travis started opening for famous artists like Barbara Mandrell. He also performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time in March 1986 and won an award for Top New Male Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music (ACM).

Don Schlitz co-wrote Travis's singles "On the Other Hand", "Forever and Ever, Amen", and "Deeper Than the Holler".

Because "1982" was a hit, Warner decided to re-release "On the Other Hand." This time, it became his first number-one song on the Billboard country charts in July 1986. Both "On the Other Hand" and "1982" were on Travis's first album for Warner, Storms of Life. The album was released on June 2, 1986, and sold over 100,000 copies in its first week. It also reached number one on the Top Country Albums chart. Six years later, the album was certified triple platinum, meaning it sold three million copies in the U.S.

The album also produced another number-one hit, "Diggin' Up Bones", in late 1986, and "No Place Like Home", which reached number two in early 1987. "No Place Like Home" was also Travis's first song to have a music video.

In late 1986, Travis hosted the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. He won the Horizon Award (now called Best New Artist) at that ceremony. In November 1986, the mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, declared November 15 to be "Randy Travis Day." Soon after, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Storms of Life was praised by critics for Travis's voice and the songs.

1987-1988: Always & Forever Success

In early 1987, Randy Travis released the song "Forever and Ever, Amen". This song stayed at number one on the Billboard country charts for three weeks, which was a long time for a song back then. It was the main song from his second Warner album, Always & Forever.

Travis performing in 2003

With the success of "Forever and Ever, Amen," Travis won Male Vocalist of the Year at the ACM awards. His album Storms of Life won Album of the Year, and "On the Other Hand" won both Song and Single of the Year. "Forever and Ever, Amen" is considered one of Travis's most famous songs.

Always & Forever was also produced by Lehning. The album included a song called "What'll You Do About Me", which other artists had recorded before. Always & Forever spent an amazing 43 weeks at the top of the Billboard Top Country Albums charts, setting a new record.

Other songs from Always & Forever that became number-one hits were "I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)", "Too Gone Too Long", and "I Told You So". Travis wrote "I Told You So" himself in 1982. By 1996, Always & Forever had sold five million copies, earning a quintuple platinum certification.

This album and its songs brought Travis many awards. "Forever and Ever, Amen" won Song and Single of the Year at the ACM awards. Always & Forever won Album of the Year at the 1987 CMA Awards, and Travis won Male Vocalist of the Year. He also won his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for Always & Forever in 1988. Critics loved the album, saying it was as good as his first one.

1988-1990: Old 8x10 and No Holdin' Back

Randy Travis continued to tour in 1988 and released his third Warner album, Old 8×10. The first three songs from this album, "Honky Tonk Moon", "Deeper Than the Holler", and "Is It Still Over?", all reached number one on the country charts. The album became his third in a row to hit number one on the Top Country Albums chart. Old 8×10 also won Travis another Grammy Award. By 1997, Old 8×10 had sold two million copies.

Travis had a hit single in 1989 with a cover of "It's Just a Matter of Time", originally by Brook Benton (pictured in 1959).

In 1989, Travis released a Christmas album called An Old Time Christmas. He also released the studio album No Holdin' Back. This album included his cover of Brook Benton's "It's Just a Matter of Time", which became a number-one country hit. His next song, "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart", stayed at number one for four weeks, which was his longest time at the top. The last song from No Holdin' Back was "He Walked on Water", which reached number two. Critics praised Travis's singing on these songs.

1990-1992: Collaborations and New Songs

Randy Travis's first album of the 1990s was Heroes & Friends, which featured duets with other famous singers like Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and B. B. King. He had wanted to record a duet album for a long time. Two songs from the album, "A Few Ole Country Boys" (with George Jones) and the title track "Heroes and Friends", reached the top 10 on the country charts. The album sold over a million copies.

Alan Jackson co-wrote several songs on Travis's 1991 album High Lonesome.

His next album was High Lonesome in 1991. The first song, "Point of Light", was inspired by a campaign for volunteerism. The next song, "Forever Together", became his twelfth number-one hit. He wrote this song and several others on the album with Alan Jackson while they were on tour. These collaborations also led to the songs "Better Class of Losers" and "I'd Surrender All". Travis noted that this album had more songs written by him than his previous ones.

Later in 1992, Warner released two greatest hits albums: Greatest Hits, Volume One and Greatest Hits, Volume Two. These albums included most of his hit songs and four new tracks. Two of the new songs, "If I Didn't Have You" and "Look Heart, No Hands", both became number-one hits. Both greatest-hits albums sold over a million copies by 1995.

1992-1995: Acting and This Is Me

Randy Travis took a break from touring in 1992 and 1993 to rest. During this time, he released an album of Western music called Wind in the Wire, which was connected to a TV movie of the same name that he starred in. This album was not as successful on the charts.

In late 1993, Travis started working on a new album. He also began touring again in early 1994, performing at the new MGM Grand Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. His first concerts in over a year were very successful, so he resumed his touring schedule.

"Before You Kill Us All" was released in February 1994 as the first song from his next album, This Is Me. This song reached number two on the Billboard country charts. Later that year, "Whisper My Name" became his fifteenth number-one hit. The album's title track and "The Box" also became top-ten hits. Travis said he became emotional writing "The Box" because its theme of a father struggling to show love reminded him of his own relationship with his father. Critics praised the album, saying it was "back to the basics" and had strong songs.

1996-1999: Full Circle and DreamWorks Records

Travis's last album for Warner was Full Circle in 1996. He and his producer spent a long time choosing songs for this album. The first song, "Are We in Trouble Now", was written by Mark Knopfler. This song and others from the album did not reach the top of the charts.

Mark Knopfler wrote Travis's 1996 single "Are We in Trouble Now".

In mid-1997, Travis left Warner Bros. Records because of disagreements about how Full Circle was promoted. He also felt that country music was changing too much towards pop music. He then became the first artist to sign with the new DreamWorks Records's Nashville division.

His first song for DreamWorks was "Out of My Bones" in 1997, which reached number two on the country charts. It was on his first DreamWorks album, You and You Alone, released in April 1998. This album also had top-ten hits like "The Hole" and "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man".

In 1999, Travis was part of a song called "Same Old Train" on a collaborative album. This song won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. His second and final DreamWorks album, A Man Ain't Made of Stone, was released in 1999. The title track was a top-20 hit, but other songs from the album did not do as well. Travis left DreamWorks in 2000.

2000-2007: Gospel Music and "Three Wooden Crosses"

While still with Warner, Randy Travis started working on a gospel music album. He wanted to include original songs. After leaving DreamWorks, he signed with Word Records in late 2000 and released the gospel album, Inspirational Journey. Kenny Chesney sang a duet with Travis on "Baptism", which was the first song released from the album. Inspirational Journey won two Dove Awards in 2001.

Kenny Chesney (pictured in 2007) collaborated with Travis on the 2000 single "Baptism".

After the events of September 11, 2001, Travis co-wrote and released a patriotic song called "America Will Always Stand." He continued to release gospel albums with Word Records. His next album, Rise and Shine, came out in 2002. The main song from this album was "Three Wooden Crosses". This song became Travis's sixteenth and final number-one hit on Billboard Hot Country Songs in early 2003. It also reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rise and Shine sold over 500,000 copies and won a Grammy Award in 2004.

His next gospel album was Worship & Faith in 2003. This album featured 20 acoustic covers of famous praise songs and hymns like "In the Garden" and "How Great Thou Art". Worship & Faith also sold over 500,000 copies and won his second Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

A year later, he released Passing Through. This album included his last solo songs to appear on the charts until 2024, "Four Walls" and "Angels." In September 2004, Randy Travis received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2005, Travis released another gospel album, Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise. It also won a Grammy Award. This album included a mix of traditional spirituals and modern Christian songs. Travis's first four gospel albums each won the Dove Award for Country Album of the Year. In 2006, he recorded a Christmas DVD called Christmas on the Pecos, filmed inside a cavern. Another Christmas album, Songs of the Season, followed in 2007.

2008-2011: Return to Country and Collaborations

In 2008, Randy Travis released Around the Bend, his first country music album since 1999. This album also marked his return to Warner Records. The album included songs like "Faith in You" and "Dig Two Graves," as well as a cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". Critics praised the album's songs and Travis's singing. It won a Dove Award for Country Album of the Year.

Carrie Underwood had a hit in 2009 with a rendition of Travis's "I Told You So".

Carrie Underwood recorded a cover of "I Told You So" on her 2007 album. In 2009, a disc jockey combined Underwood's recording with Travis's original voice. This combined version became very popular. Underwood and Travis then performed the song together on American Idol and recorded an official duet version. This duet reached number two on the country charts and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It won both artists a 2010 Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Storms of Life, Travis released Anniversary Celebration in 2011. This album featured collaborations with many artists, including Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, and Jamey Johnson. Alan Jackson joined him for a medley of songs they co-wrote.

2013-Present: Health Journey and New Music

In July 2013, Randy Travis faced a serious health challenge. He was hospitalized and experienced a stroke, which affected his ability to speak and sing. He worked hard on his recovery through years of therapy.

Despite his health challenges, Travis released two albums of previously recorded cover songs: Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am in late 2013 and Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am in 2014. These albums included covers of songs by artists who influenced him, like Lefty Frizzell and Ernest Tubb.

In 2015, he made a special appearance at the Academy of Country Music awards. In 2016, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and sang "Amazing Grace" at the ceremony. He also appeared in the music video for "Forever Country", a song celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Country Music Association.

In September 2019, Travis announced his return to touring. Singer James Dupré performs as the lead vocalist with Travis's band. Travis makes special appearances during these shows, sometimes singing the final "Amen" in "Forever and Ever, Amen."

Travis released Precious Memories (Worship & Faith) in February 2020, which included songs recorded in 2003. Four months later, he released a new song called "Fool's Love Affair," which was a demo recording from the early 1980s. In April 2024, Travis released a new song called "Where That Came From". This song was created using special voice technology to recreate Travis's singing voice. It appeared on the Billboard country charts. A second song, "Horses in Heaven," followed in January 2025, also using this technology.

On March 19, 2025, during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Grand Ole Opry, Carrie Underwood paid tribute to Randy Travis. She sang some of his songs, including "Forever and Ever, Amen", and at the end, Travis himself sang the final "amen" to a standing ovation. In March 2025, it was also announced that a biographical movie about Randy Travis, called Forever and Ever, Amen, is being made.

Musical Style and Influence

Randy Travis is a very important figure in the neotraditional country movement. This movement brought back a more traditional country sound after the pop-influenced country music of the early 1980s. Many people say that Travis's strong, honest voice and relatable songs helped start this new traditional style. Some even say that famous artists like Garth Brooks owe him a lot for showing that traditional country music could be popular again.

Josh Turner (pictured in 2010) cites Travis as an influence.

Critics have often compared Travis's deep singing voice to other country legends like Merle Haggard and George Jones. His long-time producer, Kyle Lehning, is also praised for creating a clear sound that highlights Travis's voice.

Randy Travis has influenced many younger singers. For example, Daryle Singletary was an opening act for Travis early in his career, and Travis even helped produce Singletary's first album. Josh Turner also says Randy Travis is an influence, and "Diggin' Up Bones" was the first song he ever performed in public. Turner and Travis even collaborated on a TV show in 2006.

Acting Career

Randy Travis first appeared in a movie in 1988, with a small role in Young Guns. He also sang the title song for the movie's soundtrack. In the early 1990s, he started acting on television, appearing in an episode of Matlock.

A year later, he starred in the TV movie Wind in the Wire, and his album of the same name was the soundtrack. Travis continued to act in movies like Frank and Jesse and Maverick. In late 1995, he starred with Rue McClanahan in the CBS TV movie A Holiday to Remember. He said that his role on Matlock inspired him to take on more acting parts, and A Holiday to Remember was one of his first roles that wasn't a Western.

In 1998, Travis starred alongside Patrick Swayze in the film Black Dog, where he played a country music singer. Swayze even sang backing vocals on one of Travis's album songs. In 2007, Travis made a brief appearance in National Treasure: Book of Secrets. In February 2024, Travis was a special guest on the game show The Price Is Right.

Personal Life

Randy Travis and Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher lived together for several years before they secretly married on May 31, 1991. They later bought a house in Maui. They divorced in October 2010, but Hatcher continued to be his manager for a time. After being engaged, Randy Travis married Mary Davis on March 21, 2015. They live on their property called Chrysalis Ranch in Tioga, Texas. Mary Davis has helped Randy with his medical needs since his stroke in 2013 and often appears in public on his behalf.

Awards and Achievements

Randy Travis has won many awards throughout his career. He has received seven Grammy Awards, six CMA Awards, and eleven ACM awards.

Discography

Studio albums

Images for kids

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  Travis performing in Bolingbrook, Illinois, in 2007

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  Don Schlitz co-wrote Travis's singles "On the Other Hand", "Forever and Ever, Amen", and "Deeper Than the Holler".

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  Travis performing in 2003

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  Travis had a hit single in 1989 with a cover of "It's Just a Matter of Time", originally by Brook Benton (pictured in 1959).

• 

  Alan Jackson co-wrote several songs on Travis's 1991 album High Lonesome.

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  Mark Knopfler wrote Travis's 1996 single "Are We in Trouble Now".

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  Kenny Chesney (pictured in 2007) collaborated with Travis on the 2000 single "Baptism".

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  Carrie Underwood had a hit in 2009 with a rendition of Travis's "I Told You So".

• 

  Josh Turner (pictured in 2010) cites Travis as an influence.

See also

In Spanish: Randy Travis para niños