Randy Travis talks hits, humor and Carrie Underwood before playing two Oklahoma shows
Above: Venerable country music star Randy Travis will play shows in Tulsa and Concho this weekend. (Warner Bros. photo) Below: Randy Travis invites Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2008; Underwood introduced Travis’ music to a new generation when she covered his hit “I Told You So.” (Grand Ole Opry photo)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Singer Randy Travis is hoping to have fun ‘Forever and Ever’
Nearly 25 years after first album, star is having a blast recording, playing live, telling jokes
The first time a rising country artist told Randy Travis “I grew up with your music,” the venerable star admits his natural response was, “No you didn’t; I’m not that old.”
“But the truth is, yeah, I am,” said Travis, who will turn 51 May 4, with a laugh. “You know, I’ve been doing this for so long that I almost remember no part of life when I wasn’t performing in front of an audience.”
Travis started his musical career humbly enough at age 9 playing with family bands at Moose lodges, square dances and VFW halls. But since launching his recording career nearly 25 years ago, he has marked a distinctive sonic shift in country music, notched 16 No. 1 hits and sold more than 20 million albums. He continues to tour frequently, with shows this weekend in Tulsa and Concho.
“This year, (there will be) breakdancing. I’m gonna break a banjo and set it on fire out onstage. No, I’m kidding. You see that happen, and you’ll know I’ve lost my mind completely,” Travis said during a phone interview in which he joked and laughed often. “Basically you’re gonna hear the hits. And I love to joke with people; I love messing and talking. Some nights, I say stuff I don’t know where it comes from, to be honest with you.”
The North Carolina native has plenty of hits to choose from over the breadth of his groundbreaking career, which in the 1980s ushered in the neotraditionalist sound after the post-urban cowboy bust. The singer-songwriter who scored smashes with “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “Deeper Than the Holler” and “Forever and Ever, Amen” has reached the point where young stars point to his music as influential.
“It’s very humbling that anybody tells you that you had anything to do with them wanting to be in this business,” Travis said.
For instance, deep-voiced star Josh Turner, 32, has called Travis’ pioneering 1986 album “Storms of Life” the first record he ever bought. In 2006, Turner and Travis recorded a Country Music Television special together.
But no one has done more to introduce Travis’ music to a new generation of fans than Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who covered his 1988 chart-topper “I Told You So” for her 2007 album “Carnival Ride.” The 2005 “American Idol” winner released her version as a single in February 2009, then she and Travis re-recorded and re-released a duet rendition that spring.
The collaboration, which they performed on an episode of “Idol,” became Travis’ first chart hit since his 2003 smash “Three Wooden Crosses.”
“Radio’s just not that open to playing me that much anymore because there seems to be an age limit these days. Carrie gave me a boost and did me a favor … and she sang the fire out of that song. She’s one of the finest singers to come into this business in many years.” he said. “Carrie has attracted a group of listeners who weren’t necessarily country fans until she came into this business.”
Their duet is nominated for vocal event of the year at next month’s Academy of Country Music Awards. Earlier this year, it won the Grammy for best country collaboration with vocals. Snowed in at his Santa Fe, N.M., home, Travis wasn’t able to attend, but he admired Underwood’s Grammy performance.
“There are many great singers in this business, female and male, but there aren’t many of the caliber and the ability that would be asked to walk up and sing with Smokey Robinson and Usher and Celine Dion on a tribute to Michael Jackson like Carrie was. And as I sat and listened to that, I think she probably outsang everybody on the platform that night.”
In between tour dates, Travis is working on a silver anniversary album for next year, when he will celebrate 25 years since the release of “Storms of Life.” The young-at-heart performer is seeking new material and guest singers, including perhaps some up-and-coming stars.
“As you can tell, I don’t take a whole lot serious,” he said with a chuckle. “I think men usually only mentally age to about 18 and that’s kind of where we stay.
“Personally, I don’t see the need in really getting much older than that mentally. The body’s gonna age, and you’re gonna slow down. I’m happy to say at 51, I have not yet. I’m still breaking horses, and I’m gonna keep on doing that as long as I can. And I’m still just having fun doing the job that I do, be it acting, be it writing, be it singing.
“I’m doing my best just to enjoy life.”
In concert
Randy Travis
When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Interstate 44 East at Exit 240A, Tulsa.
Information: (800) 760-6700 or www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Lucky Star Casino Concho, 7777 N Highway 81, El Reno.
Information: (405) 262-7612 or www.luckystarcasino.org.
-BAM
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Comments
Randy Travis is one of the greatest country singers there is. And one day, I hope to meet and greet him and have the opportunity to thank him in person for bringing the BEST in country music. Forever will I be a # 1 
Randy is real country music. His lyrics tell stories and convey real feelings. I wish there were more like him.
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[...] year, (there will be) breakdancing. I’m gonna break a banjo and set it on fire out onstage. ● – – Randy Travis is making some changes to his live [...]