Randy Travis is one of the most popular country music artists of all time, with over 25 million records sold worldwide. He’s been honored with 10 ACM Awards, 11 CMA Awards, and seven Grammy Awards. In 2016, he was admitted to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Following a severe stroke in 2013, Randy’s wife, Mary, spoke candidly about his condition. He was identified as having aphasia, a brain injury that causes the loss of speech comprehension and expression.
Travis, a singer known for his loud voice, suddenly has difficulty speaking. The fact that so many country music icons are uniting to celebrate his career means a lot to him, according to Mary.
“I mean, just knowing that he created the music that he did and that it endures” As Mary explains, Randy grinned and nods in accord.
And then to have tributes to you when you can’t sing the music, but someone else will step in, sing the song in your place, and some of the great artists that do step in, you know, who say, “Hey,
, I want to be one of those who sing your music” when they have a full library of their own music. Nevertheless, it’s like, ‘I just I want to dedicate this time and this energy to singing your music because it made a difference in my life,’” she continued.
Travis was born in Marshville, North Carolina, in 1959, and he started singing in church at a young age. His father taught him how to play the guitar. Travis relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in music after finishing high school.
In 1985, Warner Bros. Records offered Travis his first record deal. When “Storms of Life,” his debut album, was published in 1986, it became a commercial hit.