Randy Travis Becomes Guest of Honor at Inaugural Troubadour Fest
Combining the two Texas passions of barbecue and country music, the inaugural Troubadour Festival in Celina, TX (just north of Dallas) went down on Saturday, November 6th, showcasing food from a whopping 41 separate barbecue joints, and music from Turnpike Troubadours member Kyle Nix and his band The 38’s, as well as Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band, Stoney LaRue, and Cody Canada and the Departed.
The weather cooperated and Old Celina Park was packed by the time the headliners hit the stage, and everyone—including the organizers—were surprised when none other than Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis showed up and became the guest of honor at the festival.
“I had no idea he was going to be there until I was talking to one of our VIP ticket-buyers earlier in the day,” owner and organizer Chase Colston tells Saving Country Music. “She asked me if we were OK with Randy coming to watch the show, and honestly I didn’t believe her at first. She mentioned she was a good friend of Randy’s daughter and they would love to attend, so I said of course they could come and we would accommodate anything they needed.”
Randy and his wife Mary live in Tioga, TX, which is not too far from where the festival took place. Once Randy arrived, he found a spot on the side of the stage. When the Josh Abbott Band played “Forever and Ever, Amen” in tribute, Travis came out the help finish off the song.
“Randy and Mary were incredibly kind. It was truly an honor to meet a legend not only in general, but it meant the world to me to have Randy Travis attend my first-year festival,” says Chase Colston. “It had been two-and-a-half years since I put on a show due to the pandemic and losing my job, and having Randy there added to the amazing emotions of the day. I know the artists felt the same … It looked to me like Josh got a little emotional when Randy came on stage and they sang ‘Forever and Ever, Amen’ together.”
Chase Colston previously organized events for Townsquare Media including the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival in Tyler, TX before being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s now the Co-Owner/President of Double Tap Entertainment, which put on Troubadour Fest.
Photos by Patrick Tewey.
November 9, 2021 @ 8:14 pm
This August, Randy appeared onstage with James Dupre at the Charlie Daniels Volunteer
Jam tribute concert at Bridgestone Arena, with James singing “Forever and Ever Amen”. It was so moving to see him up there and the crowd loved it. I first saw him perform at The Delaware State Fair in 1990. Glad he is getting out and enjoying these shows!
November 9, 2021 @ 9:46 pm
I wish him luck, but I don’t know for how long Randy Travis showing up at gatherings, standing and sitting (mostly sitting), waving and mouthing a couple of words will be news.
Hopefully, the promoters are paying him something for being the celebrity on hand, because I remember a short while ago he was talking about how all his money has disappeared and he needs to get some.
One odd thing is that there is a bizzaro movement of people who claim that Randy Travis is signing again. They post videos on Youtube with titles that claim that Travis is signing again (though they don’t actually show evidence of it) and believers post comments saying what a miracle it is, that he is blessed, that it shows how wonderful God is, etc.
November 9, 2021 @ 10:52 pm
“I don’t know for how long Randy Travis showing up at gatherings will be news.”
“I remember a short while ago he was talking about how all his money has disappeared and he needs to get some.”
That’s the reason I cover Randy Travis news whenever there is Randy Travis news to cover. I did a big Country History X episode about just how screwed he was by his ex-wife/ex-manager Lib Hatcher (https://savingcountrymusic.com/randy-travis-versus-lib-hatcher-country-history-x-9/). I feel like it’s important we keep Randy’s name top of mind. Sure, at some point it might get stale. But I felt Randy’s involvement in this event was a good excuse to give this event a little pub as well.
And no, I don’t think these promoters are paying Randy, but his name is not on the bill so he’s not helping to sell tickets either. He supports them, and they support him. And then I write about it. This is called “community.”
I agree the “Randy Travis miracle” click bait has run its course.
November 14, 2021 @ 2:36 pm
I love Randy ❤️ and I wish we ALL could find something nice to say to others
????There is so much negativity in our Nation let’s start building each other up so God will save ???? our Nation ????
November 10, 2021 @ 7:04 am
Fully believe that Randy’s wife Mary, is pushing Randy to go to these events. (absolutely no pun intended)
She is as exploitative of Randy as others have been.
Mary has been a gold digger, from the beginning. She needs to love Randy unconditionally.
Think it is great that she & Randy are able to go out, enjoy music. Not so she can garner attention and set up for the money grabs. But to be there for the enjoyment of the music, for music’s sake.
November 10, 2021 @ 8:33 am
Yeah, I strongly disagree. I see no sign this is being pushed by Mary against Randy’s will. Randy looks super excited to be at these events, crowds go nuts when he comes out on stage. And though some people seem to assume Randy is basically a vegetable being wheeled around with no will of his own, he is able to comprehend fully and communicate his feelings. He’s just not able to speak fully. Not that I would encourage anyone to use Tik-Tok, but if you go to Randy’s Tik-Tok account, you will see how much him and Mary interact. There’s a hilarious video up there right now of them going to Bojangles.
https://www.tiktok.com/@randy.travis/video/7021918599107415302?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
November 10, 2021 @ 12:18 pm
I don’t agree with the above person’s take at all. If anything, going to all these events appear to be improving Randy’s overall health. He looks really happy to be there. He loves country music.
November 10, 2021 @ 5:14 pm
Lucky,
Yeah. Kind of reminds me of Pickler always crying after she sang that sond. However, best to Randy.
November 11, 2021 @ 10:00 am
I love randy travis twice in the early 90s..i just think he loves going to these events,i would hope that hes not being pushed into doing these outtings.I believe its good for him to be acknowledged for who he is a great singer no one has a voice like his…god bless him…its so sad that the stroke left him a little werri….but i believe he will do fine and glad he has a wife to take care of him….I hope
November 11, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
So good to see Randy out music and family and friends are good for him if you cannot say good thing’s don’t say anything at all.