Randy Travis

Randy Travis, born Randy Bruce Traywick on May 4, 1959, is an American country and gospel singer, songwriter, and actor. He began his professional music career in 1979 and achieved significant commercial success in the mid-1980s with his debut album, *Storms of Life*. In 2000, he signed with Word Records to record a series of gospel and Christian-themed albums, marking a new chapter in his career. His first gospel project, *Inspirational Journey*, was released in 2000 and included the song "Baptism." He followed with the album *Rise and Shine* in 2002, which featured the hit song "Three Wooden Crosses." In 2003, he released *Worship & Faith*, an album that included recordings of "He's My Rock, My Sword, My Shield," "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," and "Open the Eyes of My Heart." Throughout his career, Randy Travis has won seven Grammy Awards. He has also won eight GMA Dove Awards, including Country Album of the Year five times. His song "Three Wooden Crosses" earned him the 2003 CMA Award for Song of the Year and the 2004 Dove Award for Country Song of the Year. In 2016, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2013, he suffered a stroke that severely limited his speaking and singing abilities. He released a memoir titled *Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life* in 2019.