Randy Travis

Who Is Randy Travis?

Randy Travis, a Grammy-winning country music legend, is celebrated for his pivotal role in reviving traditional country music, paving the way for a new generation of artists. Discovered at the age of 18 by Elizabeth Hatcher, Travis persevered through numerous challenges to build his iconic career. His breakthrough came in the mid-1980s with the chart-topping albums Storms of Life and Always & Forever. Over the years, he has earned seven Grammy Awards and sold millions of records worldwide. In 2013, Travis faced a severe health crisis that temporarily robbed him of his ability to walk and talk. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, he has made a remarkable recovery and even released a new single in May 2024.

Quick Facts

• FULL NAME: Randy Bruce Travis
• BORN: May 4, 1959
• BIRTHPLACE: Marshville, North Carolina
• SPOUSES: Elizabeth Hatcher (1991-2010) and Mary Davis (2015-present)
• ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Early Life

Randy Bruce Traywick, widely known as Randy Travis, was born on May 4, 1959, in Marshville, North Carolina. He was the second of six children born to Harold and Bobby Traywick and grew up on a small farm, where he began training horses and working cattle by the age of six. Randy’s passion for music was sparked early on, inspired by country legends like Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, and Gene Autry. By the time he was 10, he had taught himself to play the guitar.

However, as a teenager, Randy’s love for country music was accompanied by a rebellious streak, leading him down a troubled path of drug and alcohol abuse. Estranged from his family, he dropped out of school and briefly worked in construction. His turbulent years saw him arrested multiple times for offenses such as assault and breaking and entering.

At the age of 18, Randy was on the verge of being sent to prison when he crossed paths with Elizabeth Hatcher, the manager of a nightclub in Charlotte where he occasionally performed. Recognizing his raw talent, Hatcher persuaded the judge to place Randy in her custody as his legal guardian. Over the next few years, she mentored and nurtured him, providing opportunities for him to perform regularly at her country clubs, setting the stage for his future success.

Music Career

In 1981, after modest success with an independent label, Randy Travis and Elizabeth Hatcher moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Hatcher took a job managing the Nashville Palace, a popular club near the Grand Ole Opry, while Randy—then performing under the name Randy Ray—worked as a short-order cook.

After years of striving to break through in the industry, Randy was signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1985. Now performing under the name Randy Travis, he released his debut single, “On The Other Hand,” which initially peaked at a disappointing No. 67 on the country charts. Despite this setback, Warner Bros. released his next single, “1982,” which gained momentum and climbed into the top 10.

Encouraged by the success of “1982,” the label re-released “On The Other Hand,” which this time soared to No. 1. Both songs appeared on his 1986 album Storms of Life, which dominated Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart for eight weeks, sold over five million copies, and won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

As Travis’ popularity surged, so did the accolades. In 1986, he was invited to join the prestigious Grand Ole Opry. His second album, Always & Forever (1987), solidified his superstar status, winning a Grammy Award and earning the Country Music Association’s Album of the Year honor. The album held the No. 1 spot on the Top Country Albums chart for an impressive 43 weeks. Travis also earned back-to-back CMA Male Vocalist of the Year awards in 1987 and 1988, cementing his place as a country music legend.

Randy Travis’ next three albums—Old 8 X 10 (1988), No Holdin’ Back (1989), and Heroes and Friends (1990)—all continued his streak of success. Old 8 X 10 earned him another Grammy, and Heroes and Friends featured high-profile duets with legends like George Jones, Tammy Wynette, B.B. King, and Roy Rogers, further boosting his career. His later albums, including Full Circle (1996), You and You Alone (1998), and A Man Ain’t Made Out of Stone (1999), also sold millions of copies.

Travis’ career took an unexpected but fruitful turn toward gospel music in the early 2000s. Albums like Rise and Shine (2002), Worship & Faith (2003), and Glory Train (2005) were met with acclaim and earned him multiple Grammy Awards for Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album.

Throughout his career, Travis played a key role in the resurgence of traditional country music, paving the way for a new generation of artists. His “New Traditionalist” style was a major influence on future stars like Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Travis Tritt. In 2009, Travis collaborated with Carrie Underwood on a new version of his classic hit “I Told You So.” The song became his first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the duo a Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals—Travis’ seventh Grammy overall.

In October 2016, Travis achieved one of his greatest honors when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His wife, Mary Davis, spoke on his behalf, saying, “Today is the greatest day of Randy’s celebrated music career. Randy wants to thank you for listening and loving him.”

Many believed that Travis’ career had come to an end after he suffered a near-fatal stroke in 2013, which severely affected his ability to sing and play guitar. Though he worked hard to relearn these skills, his abilities were never fully restored. However, in May 2024, Travis made a surprising return with the release of “Where That Came From,” his first single since his health crisis. Due to his limited vocal abilities, the track was produced using an AI program that blended more than 40 samples from Travis’ previous work to overlay his voice onto a base vocal track performed by singer James Dupré.

Acting Career

In the 1990s, Randy Travis shifted his focus toward acting, securing roles in several made-for-TV movies, including Dead Man’s Revenge (1994) and Steel Chariots (1997). He also made guest appearances on popular television series such as Touched By an Angel, Frasier, and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Transitioning to the big screen, Travis landed supporting roles in films like The Rainmaker (1997), T.N.T. (1998), and The Million Dollar Kid (1999).

2012 Arrest

In August 2012, 53-year-old Randy Travis was arrested for driving under the influence in Texas. According to ABC News, police were alerted by another driver who found Travis shirtless and seemingly asleep by the side of the road following a single-car accident. When officers arrived, they arrested him for DWI and additionally charged him with retaliation and obstruction after he allegedly threatened to shoot and kill the officers.

In a bizarre turn, Travis was transported to the police station naked, though the circumstances leading to his nudity remain unclear. Authorities reported that his blood alcohol level was significantly above the legal limit. He was released the next day after posting a $21,500 bond.

In January 2013, Travis pleaded guilty to the DWI charge. He was sentenced to two years of probation, fined $2,000, ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, and required to spend 30 days in an in-patient rehab program.

Health

In July 2013, just six months after his arrest, Randy Travis faced a serious health crisis when he was admitted to a Texas hospital for complications related to a heart condition. The 54-year-old country star was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. While receiving treatment for this life-threatening condition, Travis suffered a stroke that left him in critical condition.

His publicist, Kirt Webster, revealed that Travis underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain following the stroke. “His family and friends at the hospital request your prayers and support,” Webster said in a statement. The health scare kept Travis in the hospital and rehabilitation for several months. As a result of the stroke, he lost his ability to speak and had difficulty walking. However, in the years since, he has made steady progress, relearning how to walk, talk, play the guitar, and sing.

In a remarkable moment three years after his stroke, Travis stunned fans by standing on stage and singing an emotional rendition of “Amazing Grace” at his 2016 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His wife, Mary Davis, poignantly remarked during the ceremony, “Randy stared death in the face, but death blinked.”

Travis continues to recover, with gradual improvements in both his speech and mobility. One of his most recent public appearances was at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Honors, where he presented an award to Kane Brown.

Wife

Randy Travis is currently married to his second wife, Mary Davis. The couple became engaged in 2013, just before Travis’ serious health issues, and they later married in 2015.

Travis was previously married to his longtime manager, Elizabeth Hatcher. They wed in a private ceremony on the island of Maui in 1991 and remained together until their divorce in 2010.

Despite his long and storied career, the country music legend has no children.