Travis, Randy (1959-…), is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for his baritone singing voice and traditional approach to country music. Travis is among the best-selling performers in country music. His songs and albums have won many awards. He has also recorded a number of successful gospel music albums.
Travis was born in Marshville, North Carolina, on May 4, 1959. His real name is Randy Bruce Traywick. He sang in church as a child and began playing the guitar when he was 8 years old. In 1969, Randy and his brother, Ricky, began performing locally as the Traywick Brothers. During the late 1970’s, Randy worked and sang at a country music nightclub. In 1978, he released two singles, “She’s My Woman” and “Dreamin’,” as Randy Traywick. In 1982, he independently released the album Live at the Nashville Palace under the name Randy Ray.
In 1985, he signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records and changed his stage name to Randy Travis. His first single for the label was “On the Other Hand.” His next single, “1982,” became a top-10 country hit. In 1986, Warner Bros. re-released “On the Other Hand.” It became Travis’s first number-one hit. That year, Travis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Travis’s other hits include “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “No Place Like Home” (1986), “Forever and Ever, Amen” (1987), “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” (1989), “Whisper My Name” (1994), and “Three Wooden Crosses” (2002).
Travis is also an actor. He has appeared in more than 20 motion pictures, including The Rainmaker and Fire Down Below (both 1997) and National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007). He has also acted on a number of television shows. Travis was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
