Legendary country artist Randy Travis returns to Cedar Rapids

There wasn't a dry eye in the Grand Ole Opry House in March when Carrie Underwood delivered a touching tribute to Randy Travis. Underwood told a moving story about loving Travis' music as a child. Travis eventually invited her to become a member of the Opry in 2008.

Underwood followed by belting out two Travis classics, "Three Wooden Crosses" and "Forever and Ever, Amen." Underwood held out her microphone to Travis for him to sing the song's last word, "Amen."

Travis, 66, suffered congestive heart failure and a stroke in 2013. The stroke impacted the left side of Travis' brain and movement on the right side of his body. Travis was placed on life support after the infection caused his lungs to collapse. He was given little chance of survival.

However, through a number of surgeries and countless hours of physical therapy, Travis is alive and back on the road a dozen years later. Since Travis suffers from aphasia, which impacts his ability to speak, it appeared that his days of touring were over.

But thanks to AI and the country musician James Dupre, who sings Travis' songs, the Country Music Hall of Famer, who recorded 16 tunes that reached the top of the country charts, is on the road again with his wife, Mary Davis. Each of those cuts are played on his "More Life" tour.

"We're in Gillette, Wyoming, and you can almost see tomorrow," Davis said.

It sounds like a lyric, which triggered laughter from Travis, who was sitting next to Davis.

Travis speaks when he can, but Davis, who is very proud of her legendary husband, is an excellent mouthpiece. "There is no one like Randy Travis," Davis said. "He did it his way."

During the mid-80s, Travis, who will appear Friday at the Paramount Theatre, became a country music star even though he ignored Music City's advice, which was to add as much pop sheen to his tunes as possible.

"When Randy was told to make country-pop, he said, 'No way,’" Davis said. "He stayed with his traditional country music. He followed his heart, and that's part of the reason his songs stand the test of time. Randy was turned down initially by every label since they said he was too country. It all worked out for him. His songs were embraced."

"On the Other Hand," "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" and "Too Gone Too Long" are among Travis' many chart-toppers.

An issue for Travis has been putting together a set list since all of his hits can't be played.

"When I look at Randy in the eye, I can't help but say, 'You have too many dang good songs,’" Davis said. "’If you didn't have so many great songs, it wouldn't be such a struggle putting a set list together.’ There has to be a coin flip on which songs are played. The man has such a beautiful catalog of music. He wants these songs to be heard live."

Since Travis suffers from aphasia, he can't perform. But he'll be onstage with the band, which includes pedal steel guitarist Steve Hinson, guitarists Lance Dary and Travis Mobley, bassist Bill Cook, fiddler David Johnson and drummer Herb Schucher, throughout the show.

  Buy Photo

"He enjoys being around the music," Davis said. "He has accomplished so much in music as well as acting."

Travis appeared in 45 films and television shows. He especially loved working on Westerns.

"Randy was raised as a cowboy riding horses and shooting guns," Davis said. "So Westerns were very much up his alley. He's really enjoyed his career as an actor."

Travis and Davis have played Cedar Rapids on a number of occasions and have wonderful memories of their times in town.

"Cedar Rapids is a beautiful city," Davis said. "It lives up to the nickname, 'City of Five Seasons.' There is such great culture, and it reminds Randy and I how we grew up with friendly people in a great part of the country. I love it whenever we stop in Cedar Rapids."

When Travis isn't on the road, he relaxes at his ranch in Texas.

"Randy loves it there," Davis said. "After he had the stroke, I asked him if he wanted to sell the Texas property and move to Tennessee. He looked at me like I lost my mind. He said no way. I'm happy since I was born and raised in Plano, Texas. That's home to us, and it makes us both happy."

Travis is just happy to be around after surviving a near-death experience.

"Randy was given a one-percent chance to live," Davis said. "Randy is aware of what a blessing it is to be able to be on tour. Randy is at home with his fans. His heart and soul is music. Thankfully he's able to still enjoy that part of life."

At the end of the 20-minute chat, Travis couldn't help but chime in.

"Thank you," Travis said.