randy travis

Randy Travis sings his chart-topping song "Three Wooden Crosses," at the DoD-sponsored salute to Korean War veterans at the MCI Center in Washington, July 26, 2003. Background information Birth name Randy Bruce Traywick Born May 4, 1959 (1959-05-04) (age 49) Origin Marshville, North Carolina, U.S. Genre(s) Country Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter Instrument(s) Vocals

Rhythm guitar Years active 1978–present Label(s) Paula

Warner Bros. Nashville

DreamWorks Nashville

Word/Warner/Curb Associated acts Alan Jackson

Josh Turner

Carrie Underwood Website www.randy-travis.com

Randy Travis (born May 4, 1959) is a Grammy Award- and Dove Award-winning American country singer. Active since 1985, he has recorded more than a dozen studio albums to date, in addition to charting more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One.

Considered a pivotal figure in the history of country music,[1] Travis broke through in the mid-1980s with the release of his album Storms of Life on Warner Bros. Records; the album sold more than three million copies. It also established him as a neotraditionalist country act, and was followed by a string of several more platinum and multi-platinum albums throughout his career. Starting in the mid-1990s, however, Travis saw decline in his chart success. He left Warner Bros. in 1997 for DreamWorks Records; there, he would eventually switch his focus to gospel music, a switch which — despite earning him only one more country hit in the Number One "Three Wooden Crosses" — earned him several Dove Awards.

Travis, in addition to singing, holds several acting credits, starting with his television special Wind in the Wire in 1992. Since then, he has appeared in several movie and television roles, occasionally as himself. Contents [hide] 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Career 2 Point of Light controversy 3 Personal life 4 Discography 5 Filmography 6 Further reading 7 References 8 External links //

Biography

Early life

Travis was born Randy Bruce Trawick in Marshville, North Carolina,[1] the second of six children of Bobbie, a textile factory worker, and Harold Traywick, a horse breeder, turkey farmer, and construction business owner.[2][3] While growing up, Travis was forced to take guitar lessons by his father and began performing at the age of eight with his brother, Ricky. Travis began drinking at the age of 12, and by 14 was a regular marijuana user, who occasionally tried harder drugs. He often fought with his father and soon dropped out of high school.[4] He became a juvenile delinquent and was arrested for various offenses, including auto theft and burglary. Travis has since voiced regret for his past misdeeds.[5]

Harold Traywick entered Randy and Ricky in a talent contest at a nightclub called "Country City, USA" in Charlotte, North Carolina. Randy and Ricky shared their small time success with another local from Forest Hills High