Randy Travis Basic Facts:
Name: Randy Bruce Traywick
Birthday: May 4, 1959
Hometown: Marshville, NC
Country Style: Traditional Country
Randy Travis Songwriting:
Several of Randy Travis' biggest hits were ones that he had written or co-written. "Better Class of Losers" was co-written with Alan Jackson. He also wrote "Heroes and Friends" and "I Told You So," which also has become a hit for Carrie Underwood.
Musical Influences:
Merle Haggard, Lefty Frizzell, and George Jones
Suggested Randy Travis Songs:
- Download/Purchase "Forever and Ever, Amen"
- Download/Purchase "Three Wooden Crosses"
- Download/Purchase "On The Other Hand"
- Download/Purchase "It's Just a Matter of Time"
- Download/Purchase "I Told You So"
Similar Artists:
- Josh Turner
- Alan Jackson
- Joe Nichols
Recommended Albums:
- Storms of Life (1986)
- Always and Forever (1990)
- Around the Bend (2008)
Randy Travis Biography:
Legal problems arose once more, and when he was put before the judge, Hatcher pleaded with him to release Travis into her custody. The judge agreed, saying if he ever saw him again "he'd better bring his toothbrush, because he would be going to jail for a very long time."
In 1982, Warner Brothers took an interest in Travis, and signed him to the label. His first album Storms of Life was released in 1986. The first single "On the Other Hand" peaked at No. 67. The second single, "1982" became his first Top Ten hit. The label decided to give "On the Other Hand" another try, and this time the song climbed all the way to No. 1.
Always & Forever was released in 1987, and it earned Randy four straight No. 1 songs, with "Forever and Ever, Amen," "I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)," "Too Gone Too Long" and "I Told You So." The streak continued with the next three singles off his third album, Old 8 x 10. Those songs were "Honky Tonk Moon," "Deeper Than The Holler" and "Is It Still Over." A fourth single from the album ("Promises") peaked at No. 17.
Travis had continued success through the 1980s, but when artists such as Garth Brooks and Clint Black appeared on the scene in the late 1980s and 1990s, country radio didn't play Randy's music as much, and he decided to take a break and pursue acting. He appeared in several Western-themed motion pictures before returning to recording.
Randy Travis parted ways with Warner Brothers in 1997, and he then moved to the new label Dreamworks, where he released You and You Alone, which produced the Top 10 hits "Out of My Bones" and "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man."
Changing Gears
It was in 2000 that Randy decided to pursue Christian music, and he released several Gospel albums -- Inspirational Journey, Rise and Shine and Worship & Faith. It was from Rise and Shine that Randy experienced another No. 1 country song with "Three Wooden Crosses."In 2004, he released Passing Through, which contained both country and gospel influences.
In July 2008, Travis returned to country music once more with Around the Bend.
Ultimate Hits
In March 2009, the two-cd collection I Told You So: The Ultimate Hits of Randy Travis was released. He also appeared on the popular American Idol show as a guest mentor to the Idol contestants, and sang "I Told You So" with Season 4 American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.