Randy Bruce Traywick was born in Marhsville, North Carolina on May 4, 1959. Known more commonly by his stage name, Randy Travis broke on to the music scene in the late 1970s. His career would see 20 studio albums and would have 50 singles make it on the Billboard charts-- 16 hit the no. 1 spot.
His first album, Storms of Life, sold more than 4 million copies when it was released. His career was filled with chart-toppers, classic songs, and multi-platinum albums, but it hit a bump in the road when he suffered a stroke in 2013.
Travis is still a pillar of modern-classic country, and to celebrate his big day, here are some of our favorite songs.
“Forever and Ever, Amen”
Released in 1987, “Forever and Ever, Amen” was the first single off of his Always and Forever album. It became his third no. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts.
“Deeper Than the Holler”
This was the second single off his 1988 album Old 8x10. The single did very well for Travis as it became his eighth no. 1 single on the country charts and his sixth consecutive number one.
“Angels”
“Angels” was written and recorded after the September 11th terrorist attacks. The song was featured on his sixteenth studio album Passing Through. It peaked at no. 48 on the Billboard charts.
“Three Wooden Crosses”
This is probably Travis’s most iconic song. Released in 2002 and featured on his Rise and Shine album, it would be his first no. 1 since 1994. It would also be his last no. 1. The song would be recognized as the “Song of the Year” by the Country Music Association and would be named “Country Song of the Year” by the Gospel Music Association.
