RANDY TRAVIS

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Randy Travis (born Randy Bruce Traywick, May 4, 1959 in Marshville, North Carolina) is an American multiple Grammy Award and Dove Award-winning American country singer.

Since 1985 he has recorded more than a dozen studio albums to date, in addition to charting more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One.

Considered a pivotal figure in the history of country music, Travis broke through in the mid-1980s with the release of his album Storms of Life on Warner Bros. Records.

The album, which sold more than three million copies, made Travis the first country music act in history to achieve multi-platinum status. It also established him as a neotraditionalist country act, and was followed by a string of several more platinum and multi-platinum albums throughout his career.

Starting in the mid-1990s, however, Travis saw decline in his chart success. He left Warner Bros. in 1997 for DreamWorks Records; there, he would eventually switch his focus to gospel music, a switch which — despite earning him only one more country hit in the Number One "Three Wooden Crosses" — earned him several Dove Awards.

Randy Travis, in addition to singing, holds several acting credits, starting with his television special Wind in the Wire in 1992. Since then, he has appeared in several movie and television roles, occasionally as himself.

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Randy Travis was born in Marshville, North Carolina, the second of six children of Bobbie, a textile factory worker, and Harold Traywick, a horse breeder, turkey farmer, and construction business owner. While growing up, Travis was forced to take guitar lessons by his father and began performing at the age of eight with his brother, Ricky.

Randy Travis began drinking at the age of 12, and by 14 was a regular marijuana user, who occasionally tried harder drugs. He often fought with his father and soon dropped out of high school. He became a juvenile delinquent and was arrested for various offenses, including auto theft and burglary.

Harold Traywick entered Randy and Ricky in a talent contest at a nightclub called "Country City, USA" in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the meantime, Ricky, who also had brushes with the law, was sentenced to jail and Randy had to complete the contest alone, but he won anyway. The club's manager, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher, took an interest in Travis and gave him a job singing at the club. Travis began focusing on music.

He first recorded for Paula Records and released two unsuccessful singles — "She's My Woman" and "Dreamin'". Travis' legal troubles continued and he was due in court for probation violations.

Hatcher pleaded with the judge and Travis was released in her custody with the warning that if the judge ever saw him again "he'd better bring his toothbrush, because he would be going to jail for a very long time."

Randy Travis moved in with Hatcher. This put further strain on her already fragile marriage. She eventually left her husband and, in 1982, she and Travis moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Randy Travis was soon turned down by every record label in town. His early demo tapes were criticized by Nashville record executives as being "too country."

Hatcher took a job as manager of a nightclub, "The Nashville Palace" and hired Travis as a cook and singer. It was during this time that an unlikely romance began to form between the two; Travis said "I think we discovered how much we needed each other."

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In 1982, Travis recorded an independent album Randy Ray Live and Lib Hatcher used it to secure a deal with Warner Bros. Records. However, the label said they had to keep their romance a secret, so as not to turn away fans, and changed his stage name from Randy Ray to Randy Travis.

In 1985, Warner Brothers released Travis' single, "On the Other Hand," which topped out at 67 on the country charts.

His next single, "1982", became a Top 10 hit followed by the re-re-release of "On the Other Hand" in 1986.

The re-release became Travis' first number one hit.

His debut album, Storms of Life, went on to sell more than 4 million copies.

In the late 1980s, he had a string of hits, including "No Place Like Home" and "Diggin' Up Bones."

A song from his second Warner Brothers album "Always and Forever" titled "Forever and Ever, Amen" arguably launched the neo-traditionalist country era, boosting the popularity of country music beyond its traditional fan base.

For two years in a row, Travis won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, for the albums Always & Forever in 1988, and for Old 8x10 in 1989. Off the success of his first two albums, Old 8x10 shipped platinum. Always and Forever was number one for 43 weeks.

Randy Travis and Hatcher married in 1991. That year Travis took part in Voices That Care, a multi-artist project that featured other top names in music for a one-off single to raise money for the allied troops in the Gulf War. The project included fellow singers Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Kathy Mattea.

By 1992, Randy Travis was no longer charting high, as Brooks, Clint Black and others had taken over Nashville. He took a break from music to concentrate on acting and landed roles in several Western-genre films. He returned to recording with the 1994 album This Is Me and the hit single "Whisper My Name."

In 1997, Travis parted ways with Warner Brothers. He moved to DreamWorks Nashville and recorded You and You Alone, which produced the top 10 hits "Out of My Bones" and "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man."

These were followed by 2000's albums Inspirational Journey, 2002's Rise and Shine and 2003's Worship and Faith. The single "Three Wooden Crosses" from the Rise and Shine album reached No. 1 and won the CMA song of the year in 2003. That same year, Travis ranked #13 on CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music.

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Travis continues to act in film and television; he appeared on the series finale of Touched by an Angel.

His second most recent album, Passing Through, was released in November of 2004. It combines the country music of his earlier years, with a little gospel mixed in from more recent albums. After the release of "Glory Train" in 2005 and the Christmas album "Songs of the Season" in 2007, Travis released his brand new single "Faith in You" as a free download from his official website.

It heralded the July 2008 release of his latest album, Around the Bend. Along with the release of the free single, RandyTravis.com has also underwent a complete overhaul, with opportunities for fans to create blogs and join an upcoming official fan club.

In 1991, Lina Accurso, a free-lance writer from New York, filed with the Federal Election Commission about Travis's song "Point of Light." She charged that the single (released during a United States election year) qualified as political advertising for President George H.W. Bush, since Roger Ailes produced the video and Sig Rogich, a White House publicist at the time, co-wrote the song.

The FEC rejected the complaint, ruling that the song and video "neither expressly advocate the election of, nor solicit contributions on behalf of, Mr. Bush."

In 1991, a tabloid ran an article with claims that Travis was gay and that he was looking for a boyfriend. The incident infuriated him and motivated him and Lib Hatcher to come forward with their relationship; they were married twelve weeks later in a private ceremony.

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	I'll Fly Away CD By Randy Travis / Spring Hill
Gospel favorites, traditional hymns---and country superstar Randy Travis! What could be better? Includes "Nothing but the Blood"; "In the Sweet By and By"; "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"; "Since Jesus Came into My Heart"; "Down by the Riverside"; "Are You Washed in the Blood?"; "He's My Rock, My Sword, My Shield"; "Three Wooden Crosses"; and the title track.

	Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits CD By Randy Travis / Word Records
Join country superstar Randy Travis for this twenty-song collection of treasured hymns and gospel classics, and original hits. Three Wooden Crosses includes the hit single by the same name plus "Love Lifted Me" (ft. Mac Powell of Third Day), "Rise And Shine," "Swing Down Chariot" (ft. The Blind Boys of Alabama), and more.

Worship & Faith, Compact Disc [CD] By Randy Travis / Word Entertainment Inc

This new collection of beloved worship standards and classic hymns is poised to expand on Randy's recent success. The all-acoustic album is superbly produced with bluegrass/country instrumentation and Travis' unmistakable voice. Traditional hymns like 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee', 'Blessed Assurance' and 'How Great Thou Art', are the perfect match for Randy's baritone. It's the more modern worship songs like 'You Are Worthy Of My Praise', 'Open The Eyes Of My Heart' and 'Above All' that are the most pleasant surprise with fiddle, mandolin, guitar and acoustic-bass giving new life to these songs of praise. Also, Third Day's Mac Powell makes a special guest appearance on 'Love Lifted Me.'

	Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship and Praise, Compact Disc [CD] By Randy Travis / Word Entertainment Inc
Backed by gospel greats like the Crabb Family and the Blind Boys of Alabama, Randy Travis shares an acoustic mix of the traditional and the new. Includes "Precious Memories," "Shout to the Lord," "Through the Fire," "Here I Am to Worship," and more.

Rise and Shine, Compact Disc [CD] By Randy Travis / Word Entertainment Inc

Rise and Shine delivers Travis' classic country sound while imparting faith through song from his own personal journey that speaks to listeners from all walks of life. Following up his highly successful gospel release Inspirational Journey, Rise and Shine unites Randy's spirit, musical gift, and story-like songs on a 13-song collection that will undoubtedly garner unprecedented success and give old and new, country and inspirational fans a record they are sure to love.

	Rise And Shine, Acc CD By Randy Travis / Daywind Music Group
This Daywind Soundtrack includes printed lyrics and a demonstration, plus accompaniment in high (D) and low (A) keys, with and without backing vocals.

	Three Wooden Crosses, Accompaniment CD By Randy Travis / Daywind Music Group
This Soundtrack includes a demonstration, printed lyrics, and accompaniment in high (Eb) and low (Bb) ranges, with and without background vocals. Original artist listed for reference only.

	Around The Bend CD By Randy-Travis / Word Entertainment Inc
Modern day legend Randy Travis returns with a highly anticipated album that's pure country soul. Around the Bend features Randy's trademark croon on a selection of standards and originals, including "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," "Faith In You," the title track, and more.

	Around The Bend Fan Club CD/DVD By Randy Travis / Word Entertainment Inc
This special edition CD/DVD fan pack includes the full album audio plus a DVD featuring Randy Travis live on CMT Unplugged at Studio 330, and a card for a free 6 month membership to the Randy Travis fan club!

Christmas on the Pecos, DVD By Randy Travis / Word Entertainment Inc

His first holiday DVD! Join country favorite Randy Travis on the Pecos River in Carlsbad, New Mexico, for a toe-tapping---and touching---performance. Songs include "Winter Wonderland"; "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"; "Forever and Ever, Amen"; "The Christmas Guest"; and eight more. Special features include "Storytelling" with Randy and a live version of "Three Wooden Crosses." Widescreen. Approx. 45 minutes.

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