Randy Travis to Finally Tell His Life Story
Country music legend and Hall of Famer Randy Travis suffered a life-altering bout of viral cardiomyopathy in 2013 that led to a massive stroke and brain surgery, leaving him unable to speak and sing like he did when he was amassing 18 #1 hits and selling over 25 million records. But friends and family of Travis say he still has a steel trap of a mind, and though he may not sing as much as he once did, he can still write.
On May 14th, Randy Travis will release his long-awaited memoir called Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving The Storms of Life through publisher Thomas Nelson, which is a division of HarperCollins. It will be available in hardcover, Kindle, and audio forms, and was co-written by Ken Abraham, who has also worked on memoirs for Buzz Aldrin, Jimmy Wayne, and others.
“I didn’t really feel I had a book to write until I stood on the distant shore and looked back over the ripples my life has made—on myself and on others,” Randy Travis says. “My songs were the stories of my life and I learned from those who listened, they were theirs too—my fans inspired me and continue to do so.”
Forever and Ever, Amen is said to include candid, never-before-told details from Randy’s life, including recounting his troubled youth, drinking and stealing cars, a tense relationship with his father, and the rollercoaster ride of more than 40 years in the music and acting industry, going from a working-class childhood in North Carolina to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and from a broken marriage to a miraculous daily recovery from his stroke.
“I learned a lot about myself going back through the chronicles of my past,” Randy Travis says. “In my waning years of ability I have a clearer picture of the past. It’s an interesting game of patience to sit and wait for the clocks of time to expose so much. As the candle burns, it is time to share the history that made me who I am, tell the backstory to some of my songs, give insight to the challenges I faced, and reflect on the blessings through it all.”
Forever and Ever, Amen is now available for pre-order.
January 27, 2019 @ 10:38 am
I have no doubt that Randy has a story in him . I also feel as though anyone familiar with his music since day one already has a good grasp of who he is and what that story is about . Randy not only found GREAT songs but delivered them with a conviction few can . From his first record , the classic and timeless STORMS OF LIFE, to his more recent music ( TONIGHT I’M PLAYIN’ POSSUM ) and his Gospel offerings , I think Randy has given us ongoing glimpses of his story . Randy on today’s radio singing COUNTRY writes would , to a younger audience at least , be akin to the impact Chris Stapleton is making . Randy is not only missed by his long time fans but , perhaps more importantly , he’s desperately missed and sorely needed by COUNTRY music and the great writers whose songs never sounded any better than they did when Randy sang them .
BTW ..I’ve always felt that ” POSSUM” should have been an enormous hit ….and would have been had country music not ‘evolved’ to the point where the new demographic did not understand the lyric’s references or the incredible crafting and history it held . ( Keith Gattis -writer )
January 28, 2019 @ 10:56 am
I will definitely buy it..i have enjoyed his music since he began…what an amazing singer..i seen him once in iowa singing some of his Christian music loved the whole concert…
January 27, 2019 @ 11:14 am
My dad worked with Randy’s mom back in the 80’s. I think it was a textile warehouse of some sort in Monroe, NC. It was when Randy’s career first took off. My dad loves to tell about how humble she was. Randy bought her a new car after his first radio hits, but she was shy about driving it to the factory, as she didn’t want to come off as showy or anything like that. At least that’s the way my dad tells it.
So, I’m especially looking forward to his autobiography.
March 15, 2024 @ 8:26 am
Yet his Mom continued to work at the factory while her son was making millions. Hmm that’s a head scratcher.
March 15, 2024 @ 8:51 am
I don’t know how much longer she worked after his initial success. This was when Storms of Life came out. She may not have worked much longer, but she did for some time at least. She worked at the textile factory, but it was a desk job of some type, if I remember what my dad said correctly.
January 27, 2019 @ 11:34 am
I like the name. Storms of life is my favorite country song of all time. Something about it has always struck a chord with me.
January 27, 2019 @ 12:27 pm
Randy has always been my favorite singer. I remember when he was just getting started singing. He played in Austin Tx for Aqua Fest in the early 80’s. I went to see and hear him sing and sat through all of his sets. After his shows he thank me for staying and signed the white skirt I had on. Still have it today and I’ll treasure it forever. I love you Randy!!!
January 29, 2019 @ 2:07 am
I’ve always loved randy style of country music I have always looked up too randy as my hero I even named my son travis after randy he is a
great singer with his own style very kind person who given lots too country music
January 27, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
Was at the Cody Jonks concert in Ardmore, OK Friday night. Towards the end of the show Cody sang Doggin’ Up Bones. Towards the end of the show out came Randy Travis on stage. The sold out crowd gave him a standing ovation and a long Randy chant. Randy’s wife said that like the song Who’s Gonna Fill their Shoes, Cody is going to fill Randy Travis’s shoes. Cody said when he was little there were 3 guys he wanted to be able to sing like Merle Haggard, Kieth Whitley and Randy Travis. It was a very cool moment and obviously very emotional and touching for Cody.
January 27, 2019 @ 12:33 pm
Awesome!
January 27, 2019 @ 3:58 pm
Great story! I love Cody’s version of that song!! It’s up on YouTube.
January 27, 2019 @ 4:09 pm
Cody will never fill Randy Travis’ shoes. He’ll get within 1,000,000 miles of singing anywhere remotely close to the 3 people he named, only in his wildest dreams.
January 27, 2019 @ 1:19 pm
I’ve been a Randy Travis fan for 32 years, and I have a hard time believing Randy was able to really have much input in his current condition.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I think this is mostly his new wife and cowriter.
February 8, 2019 @ 2:31 pm
I think he’s still quite aware of things going on. He’s appeared on Country’s Family Reunion a few times and seems fully aware of what’s happening around him. At the end of Jason Crabbe song, when Jason gives a long gospelly, bluesy finish Randy let’s out a big laugh of appreciation. His body is a problem, but the mind still seems fully there.
January 27, 2019 @ 2:59 pm
I grew up in locust nc, not far from polkton where Randy was raised. Never new him, which I dislike, but have had him in my music collection,second to George Jones. Would love to meet him, he’s on my bucket list. Love ya Randy God speed. Eddie Samples.
January 27, 2019 @ 3:04 pm
To Randy Travis
I live in Groveland, FL and I’ve been singing since I was a youngster. I fell in love with your songs when you first came out. They really pulled at my heartstrings. I was very honored and proud to be able to make people feel your music every time I sang your songs. I realized that I have a similiar sounding voice and the input from the audience was aweome and humbling. I’ll be doing a lot of your music in a few days because people always request them. My thoughts and wishes havs always been to meet you one day and be able to talk to you for a bit. Ive seen you at many shows but never got the opportunity. It would have been an honor to do that. Out of all the country singers you are my country music hero. Thank you for your music and the stories they told. I will continue to touch people’s hearts through your songs. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless. Sincerely, Ronald
January 27, 2019 @ 4:26 pm
I’m not sure if Randy really wants to tell his “candid” story–or if his fans would want to hear it.
Seems he and Lib Hatcher are sworn to let sleeping dogs lie.
January 28, 2019 @ 7:39 am
I agree….not that I care one way or the other because I’m a fan and think he is one of the best singers ever in any genre but there have always been rumors about his sexual orientation. Perhaps that is the root of a lot of his personal turmoil…would not be the first person to deal with that.
January 28, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
Oh so now all of a sudden Randy Travis is gay? He was on ‘King of the Hill’ for Christ’s sake 🙂 . And even if he was, who gives a shit? He’s a badass country music legend. How many other country stars have had personal troubles?
January 28, 2019 @ 4:17 pm
“not that there’s anything wrong with that…..
May 13, 2019 @ 10:22 am
Uh, probably is gay. Poor guy can’t come out to the conservative, narrow-minded country music fans. Doesn’t anyone think it’s odd that there is not one gay male country artist??
May 13, 2019 @ 10:30 am
There are gay male country music artists. Ty Herdon, Billy Gilman, Trixie Mattel, Lavander Country, Orville Peck who was just featured on this site last week.
May 25, 2022 @ 10:49 pm
You’re right. Probably gay. Right away, the obvious: Lib Hatcher is 17 years older than Randy, which is more than a little clue. And yes, the culture of country music fans is, shall we say, not exactly inclusive. There is not one single male country star who is out because it would be a career-killier. Artists, musicians, singers, performers… yes. But not one star. Same as the film industry. In a business where men routinely sing, dance, emote, wear costumes and make-up… not one out male gay star.
December 20, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
Yes, drag race winner Trixie Mattel and Lavender Country are proof that mainstream country audiences are open to openly gay male singers. Nice big brain you got there
December 20, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
The comment you’re responding to is over 2 1/2 years old, and the article is nearly 3 years old. Since then, T.J. Osborne of mainstream country duo Brothers Osborne has come out, and the duo is doing just fine, including winning CMA Awards and being nominated for Grammy Awards.
Would there be some snickers and off-color jokes on social media if a major mainstream country male came out as gay? Sure. And then folks would go back about their business, and the artist would be just fine. That’s what happened with T.J. Osborne. I just don’t think it’s an issue at all at this point.
March 23, 2025 @ 4:40 pm
No it’s not all of a sudden.
March 23, 2025 @ 4:51 pm
I agree. I had an acquaintance who continued to deny he was gay. It didn’t matter to any of us. He, too, had a terrible relationship with his father. Terribly abused. He struggled with alcohol abuse. He lived in a prison of his own doing. He committed suicide on the 10 year anniversary of his father’s death. Some people feel that they can’t come out after living the lie for so long. It’s heartbreaking.
January 27, 2019 @ 4:56 pm
In November 1986 I saw a little blurp in the International edition of US-Today that Randy Travis will be embarking on a USO tour with one stop in Germany at one of the barracks in Nuremberg.
Several calls to Nashville finally put me in touch with Lib Hatcher, Randy’s manager at that time and she was more than welcome to have a European journalist do an interview with the fast-rising star. A trip from hell, a battery that blew up and made my colleague and me vomit and a snowstorm on the way back into Switzerland. But I will never forget Randy singing in front of a filled, small military theater. It was right before Christmas and I could not see one dry eye in the attendance when he sang Paul Overstreet’s “There’s No Place Like Home” from his major debut album “Storms Of Life.”
A bit more than four years later, I was living in Austin and was on assignment to do an interview with Alan Jackson, he was opening for Tammy Wynette and then headliner Randy – and as I step out of Alan’s dressing room, Randy and Lib are walking down the hallway and to my astonishment they remembered me and we all went into the “cafeteria” where we later were joined by Tammy and George Richey.
January 27, 2019 @ 6:30 pm
It’s pretty strange how he is able to maintain his dignity after such incredibly defacing actions he has performed on video. Well, I guess the stroke over-rides everything. Wonder if he’s ever watched the video. I know he had a terrible childhood. I did too, and it almost prevented me from living. Almost killed me. Anyways, I have had “I told you so” stuck in my head today. Great Melody and emotion.
January 28, 2019 @ 1:14 am
Randy sued to try to block the police from releasing his arrest video.
Lucky for him, by the time the video was finally released, the news media had lost interest in the story, and it was not widely broadcast or disseminated. Though it’s available on Youtube for anyone who looks for it.
January 28, 2019 @ 5:46 am
the video of Randy Travis being arrested by police is more country than any music video ever released by anyone on today’s country charts…
January 27, 2019 @ 8:04 pm
I’ve tried to keep that line of thinking out of my head. Randy was obviously on a downward spiral before his health began to reflect his hard living, but I suspect that’s part of the journey he’s referring to in these promotional blurbs for the book. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a near death experience to wake a person up and
force them to mature emotionally.
January 30, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
That downward spiral was all around the affair he was having with his current wife. She seems an opportunist to me. I think she enjoys being in the spotlight and speaking for him. That ridiculously cheesy quote from the book, full of silly cliche platitudes, doesn’t sound like Randy. And I don’t think he has a whole lot to do with it. Nor do I believe he would attack his ex wife Lib, as some other stories about the book imply.
January 27, 2019 @ 8:20 pm
Always lived Randy, God bless him
January 27, 2019 @ 8:53 pm
i’ll be checking this out forsure. Randy has always been one of my absolute favorites. Such a damn good voice! I’ll be listening to “Diggin Up Bones” when i’m 80. hopefully, anyway. ????
January 27, 2019 @ 9:08 pm
Hi Randy. Never got to meet you but always love your music & your gospel. I have prayed for you & will continue. May God bless you &keep you in his mighty hands. Love from one of your fans.
January 27, 2019 @ 10:36 pm
Hi Randy.. Remember when I was a little girl.. Back porch pick in and singing was how we rolled..love your music…on from Johnson county kentucky. Lot of talent here.
January 27, 2019 @ 10:48 pm
When I was 13 I took my grandmother to see you in my home town of Marion Illinois. It was our first concert and we loved every minute of it.Thanks Randy
January 28, 2019 @ 3:32 am
Hi Randy, “I’M GONNA LOVE YOU FOREVER…FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN!”. GOD’S SPEED MY FRIEND…MAY THE WIND BE FOREVER AT YOUR BACK????????
January 28, 2019 @ 8:15 am
One of my favorite artists!!! I got to personally meet him at a cma fest week back in 2016.
Will definitely get the book!!
January 28, 2019 @ 9:35 am
Why is everyone addressing their comments to Randy?
January 28, 2019 @ 12:57 pm
It is well know that Randy reads this website!! So does Luke Combs
January 28, 2019 @ 11:04 pm
Not Jon Pardi?
January 28, 2019 @ 3:23 pm
Randy Travis is as good a singer as Lefty Frizzell. He made it possible for that kind of singing to continue, and for that, everyone owes him a huge debt of thanks.
Sa—lute!
January 28, 2019 @ 4:11 pm
Randy was my sisters favorite singer.We saw him in Michigan.It was great and I was able to get some great pictures.My sister died2 years ago. Whenever I hear one of Randys songs I think of her.Good thoughts.I wish she was alive so she could read your book.Thankyou for helping me Remember her.
January 29, 2019 @ 8:55 am
I love randy travis but he was a great man who I think is very good man
January 30, 2019 @ 4:15 am
Looking forward to this.
January 30, 2019 @ 4:50 pm
I am also from North Carolina and go thru the town where he is from sometimes when I go back to NC. I love Randy Travis and his songs with his unique voice. I pray for him, so sorry he had to go thru what he did. May God be with him the rest of his life. I have had a heart attack and have 5 stents, it’s scary everyday. Love ya Randy “forever and ever amen”
February 10, 2019 @ 11:17 am
I saw this in the pre-sale section on Amazon. Can’t wait until it’s released!
April 11, 2019 @ 12:02 am
Did Randy pass I heard that he passed away
April 11, 2019 @ 7:41 am
Randy Travis is alive and well.
April 27, 2019 @ 3:42 pm
Randy, you’re always in my thoughts and prayers. Hell, everyone has their demons, sometimes they get the best of us for a while but like everything else, we get through it. I did and I credit God’s grace and deepest love for me for that. I credit that same God’s grace and love for your survival too Randy.
I’ve always loved your music and the wonderful words and sentiments in them. Seriously, for me, nobody ever sang better and I just love you. Satan and hell rose up to take a “shot” at you but you’re always going to beat them. You have thousands of fans who pray for your life and happiness and may God’s blessings reach you from all of us who are your fans and prove that the joy of the Lord is your strength. This is just a phase. One day when we are all gathered together, you’re going to sing for us and our Lord. We love you.
February 27, 2020 @ 8:52 pm
Randy is alive & well! Still lives in grayson county tx. The saddest thing I have ever heard. I worked late driving home I always listened to a late night female therapist,
Name ,,,, .I listened to her every night around 11:30 to 12am. This night I wasn’t really listening much . Tired and wanted to get home. All the sudden, I know that voice, he was talking about his personal experiences, and why the arrest happened etc. This was before his stroke. Luv u randy & mary