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JANUARY 2017 Volume 48 Number 3 Issue 565
News
Amen to that !
Walt Trott in Nashville Duncan Warwick in London
Editor Duncan Warwick
Contributors David Allan , Janet Aspley , Donnie Ayers , Craig Baguley , Larry Delaney , Don Cusic , Julie Flaskett , Kelly Gregory , Michael Hingston , Spencer Leigh , John Lomax III , , Douglas McPherson , Stephen O ’ Hanlon , Roland Purdy , Adrian Peel , Paul Riley , Wayne Smart , Chris Smith , Alison Stokes , Tom Travis , Walt Trott , Jack Watkins
Special projects coordinator Kelly Gregory
Photographers Helen Parish , Patricia Presley , Ian Tilbury , Barry Dixon , Billie McAleer
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Randy Travis , 57 , can look back on a good year career-wise , having been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last fall , and honoured at an all-star tribute concert in Bridgestone Arena in Nashville , Feb . 8 . Nashville Mayor Megan Berry even proclaimed it Randy Travis Day !
Among stellar players paying homage to the N . C . native during a Heroes & Friends ( sub-titled 1 Night , 1 Place , 1 Time ) gala were Garth Brooks , Kenny Rogers , Tanya Tucker , Jamey Johnson , Alison Krauss , Travis Tritt , Chris Janson , Wynonna , Alabama and the Bellamy Brothers , as well as comedian Jeff Foxworthy .
Since a massive stroke in 2013 , it all seemed downhill for the seemingly troubleprone performer , whose 16 # 1 singles include On The Other Hand , Forever and Ever , Amen ,” Too Gone , Too Long and Three Wooden Crosses . Randy ’ s last hit was a remake of an old Travis title I Told You So , done as a duet with Carrie Underwood (# 2 , 2009 ), upping his total Top 10 singles chartings to 30 .
His 19-year marriage to manager Lib Hatcher ended in late 2010 , and after a few arrests involving alcohol in 2012 , he attempted to get his life back in order , returning to filmmaking , portraying a dying singer in “ The Price ” in 2013 . On July 7 , 2013 , however , Randy suffered respiratory infection , but while hospitalised had a massive stroke . It left him
partially paralysed with halting speech and seemingly forever bound to a wheelchair . On March 21 , 2015 , Randy married Mary Davis , former wife of his Dallas dentist Dr . Ritchie Beougher . Reportedly they had been engaged since before his stroke , and she stood beside him through three tracheotomies , two brain surgeries , three bouts of pneumonia and staff infections , giving him hope for recovery , despite doctors ’ dour warnings .
After two-and-a-half strenuous years in rehab , Randy could walk haltingly with a cane , and his speech improved enough that he stunned Country Hall of Fame attendees the night of his induction by briefly singing Amazing Grace . Mary did a cameo as his wife in Travis ’ last film “ The Price ,” finally released in June 2015 .
Relative newcomer Chris Young told The Tennessean newspaper , “ What doesn ’ t he mean to country music , especially to someone who grew up as a baritone singer in country music ? I would just constantly sing his stuff . He means a whole lot to a lot of singers , not just me .” The salute closed with a singalong : Amazing Grace and Will The Circle Be Unbroken .”
Profits benefit in part both victims of stroke and cardiovascular diseases , through the new Randy Travis Foundation . The day had also been declared Stroke Awareness Day in Travis ’ honour by Gov . Bill Haslam , who attended the show .
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