Yes,.. Dr. Givens...I remember my mother listening to country when I was young...She loved the Grand Ole Opry...Ernest Tubb. Loretta Lynn etc...I vowed not to listen to it when I grew up...I didn't until I was in my late 40s.. Thats about the first time I heard Randy sing...I was never a real fan of his, until I saw him in concert, after that it was all over...I couldn't get enough of his songs...wonderful ....
I've always been a country music fan. I just loved the sincerity of the stories that country music told.
.
The first time hearing Randy, came in the car with my daughter on our way to work. Back in 1986 . She had the country radio station onWXTU out of Philly. The song was "On The Other Hand" and as soon as the voice began I was mesmerized by it. I asked," who is that?" She wasn't sure of his name , so said ,"he's someone new they just started playing"
When the song ended the DJ ( Lee Richards )said in a revered sounding voice "That is by a new comer named Randy Travis. Y'ou'll be hearing a lot of this guy.The calls are non stop for this song".
Then a few weeks later, I turned into Nashville Now and he was appearing on the show. I thought "Wow, now thats a good looking guy, to match that amazing voice". I've been a fan ever since. Dee
Do you recall when you first heard Randy - where and when? i got to thinking about this as I read a blog of people speaking of their first jobs and remembering things associated with it. One of course included Randy so thought i'd share it.
Before I post the paragraph including Randy, though, let me just say I was not a country fan at the time but a friend of mine came over one day for dinner and wanted to watch Nashville Now to see Johnny rodriguez. She commented at the time "oh, Randy Travis is there also" and all i could say was "who?" I didn't even think too much about it after that until I heard him on an awards show and fell in love with his music. Have been a huge fan every since.
Anyway, share your story if you want.
Here is the portion of the blog mentioning Randy:
Donna Bowman
Boy, I would have killed for a library book-sorting job as a teenager. If I could have managed it, I would have run away from home and lived in the library. But my
actual first job—gluing little square samples of carpet into sample books at my uncle’s
carpet mill—wasn’t bad at all. You know those books you leaf through at the home-improvement
store to choose your floor covering? I was the one cutting carpet off of mill ends,
beveling the edges to a perfect angle on a rotary wheel (the best part), coating
the bottom with adhesive, and carefully lining them up in the little pre-printed
outlines. The work was done inside a large warehouse with half a dozen other workers,
all impossibly elderly to my eyes. And the radio was always tuned to US 101, Chattanooga’s
Hot Country Favorites. I heard every country hit of 1987 several times a day, but
the one that will always take me back to that unairconditioned cavern, the air filled
with microscopic specks of acrylic fiber, is
Randy Travis’s chart-topper “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
I didn’t grow up with country music, and when I got my own money and my own wheels,
I gorged myself on rock and pop. But that summer, I learned to appreciate the pleasures
of a country song—even the calculated platinum-grabbers that tend to dominate the
airwaves—at the same time as I learned to appreciate the odd satisfactions of mindless
handwork. I got a lot of thinking done while I was pasting squares of carpet into
books. I listened to a genre of music that I wouldn’t have chosen myself—and I listened
to it really carefully, because there was nothing else to occupy my brain. Some of
my interest in understanding pop culture, and in analyzing my experiences with it,
probably started right there on that floor, with Randy Travis and his neo-traditionalist
hit. That summer didn’t make me a country fan or a happy assembly-line drone. But
it did make me into a person disinclined to discount the disreputable, someone for
whom status, class, and cool aren’t bright lines delineating what’s worth paying
attention to.
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
I’m much later finding Randy Travis than most of you. I always liked country music and remember my father playing what he called the Western Music of Eddy Arnold, Roy Acuff and that generation. With those names you know how far back I’m talking about! I kept up with standard popular music over the years including some country but it was mostly in the background through my years of working and raising a family. My old stereo system went bad a long time ago and I never kept up my music library.
It was through the iPod that I was introduced to Randy—wouldn’t he get a kick out of that considering how he feels about technology! A couple of years ago, my daughter lent me an iPod with music already on it to use in an iHome radio to help me get to sleep at night. The music was a mix of artists and two or three of the songs were Randy’s. Every time I heard that wonderful and distinctive voice as I tried to get to sleep, I’d think “Who is that guy?” but I never made the move to get out of bed to see who it was. Two of the songs were “Whisper My Name” and “Heart of Worship.” After several nights of “who is that guy” I finally got up, put on the light and my glasses and found Randy Travis. The next day I went online to iTunes to hear more and filled the iPod with all of Randy’s stuff.
I like just about everything he sings but if you really want to hear how perfect he is, listen quietly to “How Great Thou Art.” In my opinion, more than any song he sings and more than any other artist who sings that song, his rendition really displays his talent and the magnificence of his voice. My favorite songs are “I Can Almost Hear Her Wings” and “You and You Alone.”
While I’m at it I also want to comment on his terrific band. I think very few singers have such an accomplished group of musicians providing a perfect background for their work. His guys are just fantastic.
He’s just about all I play anymore and I was lucky enough to see two of his concerts Mother’s Day weekend in Ocean City, MD and Trenton, NJ. Wish I could go to Morristown and Baltimore and see him again on the 24th and 25th. For me there has never been a better artist of any of my decades. Maybe next year!
A New ‘Old’ Fan who wishes she had paid more attention 25 years ago.
Cappy
No matter when we first hear that voice. Or the song being heard . The thing that is so unique is how he touches evryone in the same heartffelt way. How each and everyone of us become a life long fan.
I agree totally cappy about his band. They are the best in country music.
Its obviious that they all love playing for Randy to have stuck with him almost his entire career.
Ditto for his producer Kyle Lehning. That is a testiment to the mans character.
Even when one leaves to pursue their own careers ( Rob with SixWire) they don't hesitate to return.If the opportunity presents itself. The guys always look like they are enjoying themselves as much as Randy does when performing..
I too enjoyed your story cappy. And had to chuckle over the modern technology ipod being your introduction to discovering Randy and that amazing one of a kind talent. Dee
Cappy, love your story about first hearing Randy, especially the part about the IPOD. He truly would get a kick out of that since he, like me, remembers 8-tracks, casettes and vinyl.
Enjoy your shows this month. I'm already counting down until September and right now, that seems like a long ways away but time does fly when one is having fun. That is what they say, anyway.
Always and Forever...an RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
I remember the first time I heard RT like it was just yesterday. I was sitting at a cousin's house in Morrisburg Ontario and in walked her sister. She knew I was a huge country music fan and she said "Oh my god (sorry I prefer using gosh but this is the word she used) April you HAVE to hear this guy sing." I asked her who and she said it was Randy Travis. Well she put the tape in and played On The Other Hand. I was BLOWN away. My exact words were ''WOW, what a voice!'' Then we listed to the rest of the tape and on came Digging Up Bones. I played that song on her cassette a good 20 times that day and it was not easy rewinding each time back then I tell you. Thank goodness for cds lol. I was hooked. I made her take me to Prescott so I could buy the tape. I have been buying ever since and although I pretty much luv everything Randy has done my best still is and always will be Digging Up Bones.
I first heard Randy in the car on our way to Tennessee, then saw him on the awards show 2 weeks later. That was in 1986. I was hooked forever and ever. It has been great fun ever since. He's the best.
One of Randy's early hits is that catchy tune "1982." written by Blackmon and Vipperman. Did you know when it was first presented to him it was written as "1962" ? and Randy said "I can't sing that. I was only 3 years old in 1962!" So the lyrics were changed to 1982 to make it much more relevant to Randy.
Before meeting Randy, I was a long time country music fan. My favorites were Charley Pride, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, and somewhat later - EmmyLou Harris. Oh yeah, I go back to the days of Ernest Tubb, Eddy Arnold, Kitty Wells and Ray Price (who is still singing at 82 yrs of age).
My favorite rock group was Credence Clearwater Revival. Figure that one out! What a unique sound, especially "Bad Moon Rising."
Anybody else out there remember when you had to replace needles to play your records?
Dr Don Givens
I was driving in my car in Honolulu and heard Randy sing "On the Other hand" and I thought what a unique voice! What a genuine country voice so different from all the other "country out there." That was 1986. Later I was fascinated with "1982." Never in my wildest dreams did I realize at that point what a close association I would have with him later on. I saw him on the Awards shows in 1987 and 1988 and was so happy he was winning all those awards, but at that point I knew very little about him. It was only when he and Elizabeth started attending my church on Maui in 1992 that I got to know him and her well. Wonderful association that continues to this day.
BTW thank everyone for the positive true fan's comments.
Dr Don Givens
It was in 1990 I have always loved country music ever since I can remember. My husband came home with a cd and said I have found you someone new to listen to and you must listen to on the other hand first. Well what can I say after that I just could not get enough of that fantastic voice. And one day I am sure my dream will come true and I will get to see him in concert. I have tried everything to get to Ireland but there is no way unless I swim the Irish sea tempting but I cant swim. I only live in Wales so not to far.
I remember it like it was yesterday instead of 23 yrs ago. It was June of 86. I had gotten up in the middle of the night with my son who was less than a month old. I turned on the tv to a local station and kind of dozed off. This particular station did not broadcast all night. They used CMT to fill in the early morning hours. Something startled me awake. It took me a moment to figure out that it was an awesome voice that I had never heard before. At that time I was still listening to Pop/Rock and did not listen to country at all. Country music was my parent's music, not mine. It was something that I was forced to listen to when I was a kid held captive in the car with my family.
I have been hooked ever since. My newborn son who is now 23 yrs old and weeks away from having his own son likes to joke that in those wee hours of the morning, with my maternal hormones raging, that I bonded with Randy when I should have been bonding with him.
Well, some of us are just a bit slower than others I guess. But trust me, as everyone knows, once i got going following Randy, there was no stopping me. After having first met him and Elizabeth and getting to know them, I have never had any doubts that i made the right choice as far as an artist's career to follow.
Great music and great people.
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
Not to say I haven't listened to or enjoyed other types of music, as I have. But Country has always been my piority favorite.
But I have also liked artists such as Nat king Cole, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Daren, Andy Williams, Perry Como,
My favorite band has always been Creedence Clearwater Revival...Odd given they are so far removed from country as one can get. But it was their unique sound that drew me to them.. Just as Randys did to him.
As for being a slow learner, well, not knowing your age Linda, I would
venture a guess that perhaps I may have close to a 20 year head start on you when it comes to being a listener of country muisc. :) Dee
Another good one, Ronda. Of course, I've loved them all.
Keep 'em coming.
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
Yes,.. Dr. Givens...I remember my mother listening to country when I was young...She loved the Grand Ole Opry...Ernest Tubb. Loretta Lynn etc...I vowed not to listen to it when I grew up...I didn't until I was in my late 40s.. Thats about the first time I heard Randy sing...I was never a real fan of his, until I saw him in concert, after that it was all over...I couldn't get enough of his songs...wonderful ....
I've always been a country music fan. I just loved the sincerity of the stories that country music told.
.
The first time hearing Randy, came in the car with my daughter on our way to work. Back in 1986 . She had the country radio station onWXTU out of Philly. The song was "On The Other Hand" and as soon as the voice began I was mesmerized by it. I asked," who is that?" She wasn't sure of his name , so said ,"he's someone new they just started playing"
When the song ended the DJ ( Lee Richards )said in a revered sounding voice "That is by a new comer named Randy Travis. Y'ou'll be hearing a lot of this guy.The calls are non stop for this song".
Then a few weeks later, I turned into Nashville Now and he was appearing on the show. I thought "Wow, now thats a good looking guy, to match that amazing voice". I've been a fan ever since. Dee
Do you recall when you first heard Randy - where and when? i got to thinking about this as I read a blog of people speaking of their first jobs and remembering things associated with it. One of course included Randy so thought i'd share it.
Before I post the paragraph including Randy, though, let me just say I was not a country fan at the time but a friend of mine came over one day for dinner and wanted to watch Nashville Now to see Johnny rodriguez. She commented at the time "oh, Randy Travis is there also" and all i could say was "who?" I didn't even think too much about it after that until I heard him on an awards show and fell in love with his music. Have been a huge fan every since.
Anyway, share your story if you want.
Here is the portion of the blog mentioning Randy:
First jobs and pop-culture memories
http://www.avclub.com/articles/first-jobs-and-popculture-memories,30196/A.V. Club - USA
Donna Bowman
Boy, I would have killed for a library book-sorting job as a teenager. If I could have managed it, I would have run away from home and lived in the library. But my
actual first job—gluing little square samples of carpet into sample books at my uncle’s
carpet mill—wasn’t bad at all. You know those books you leaf through at the home-improvement
store to choose your floor covering? I was the one cutting carpet off of mill ends,
beveling the edges to a perfect angle on a rotary wheel (the best part), coating
the bottom with adhesive, and carefully lining them up in the little pre-printed
outlines. The work was done inside a large warehouse with half a dozen other workers,
all impossibly elderly to my eyes. And the radio was always tuned to US 101, Chattanooga’s
Hot Country Favorites. I heard every country hit of 1987 several times a day, but
the one that will always take me back to that unairconditioned cavern, the air filled
with microscopic specks of acrylic fiber, is
Randy Travis’s chart-topper “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
I didn’t grow up with country music, and when I got my own money and my own wheels,
I gorged myself on rock and pop. But that summer, I learned to appreciate the pleasures
of a country song—even the calculated platinum-grabbers that tend to dominate the
airwaves—at the same time as I learned to appreciate the odd satisfactions of mindless
handwork. I got a lot of thinking done while I was pasting squares of carpet into
books. I listened to a genre of music that I wouldn’t have chosen myself—and I listened
to it really carefully, because there was nothing else to occupy my brain. Some of
my interest in understanding pop culture, and in analyzing my experiences with it,
probably started right there on that floor, with Randy Travis and his neo-traditionalist
hit. That summer didn’t make me a country fan or a happy assembly-line drone. But
it did make me into a person disinclined to discount the disreputable, someone for
whom status, class, and cool aren’t bright lines delineating what’s worth paying
attention to.
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
I’m much later finding Randy Travis than most of you. I always liked country music and remember my father playing what he called the Western Music of Eddy Arnold, Roy Acuff and that generation. With those names you know how far back I’m talking about! I kept up with standard popular music over the years including some country but it was mostly in the background through my years of working and raising a family. My old stereo system went bad a long time ago and I never kept up my music library.
It was through the iPod that I was introduced to Randy—wouldn’t he get a kick out of that considering how he feels about technology! A couple of years ago, my daughter lent me an iPod with music already on it to use in an iHome radio to help me get to sleep at night. The music was a mix of artists and two or three of the songs were Randy’s. Every time I heard that wonderful and distinctive voice as I tried to get to sleep, I’d think “Who is that guy?” but I never made the move to get out of bed to see who it was. Two of the songs were “Whisper My Name” and “Heart of Worship.” After several nights of “who is that guy” I finally got up, put on the light and my glasses and found Randy Travis. The next day I went online to iTunes to hear more and filled the iPod with all of Randy’s stuff.
I like just about everything he sings but if you really want to hear how perfect he is, listen quietly to “How Great Thou Art.” In my opinion, more than any song he sings and more than any other artist who sings that song, his rendition really displays his talent and the magnificence of his voice. My favorite songs are “I Can Almost Hear Her Wings” and “You and You Alone.”
While I’m at it I also want to comment on his terrific band. I think very few singers have such an accomplished group of musicians providing a perfect background for their work. His guys are just fantastic.
He’s just about all I play anymore and I was lucky enough to see two of his concerts Mother’s Day weekend in Ocean City, MD and Trenton, NJ. Wish I could go to Morristown and Baltimore and see him again on the 24th and 25th. For me there has never been a better artist of any of my decades. Maybe next year!
A New ‘Old’ Fan who wishes she had paid more attention 25 years ago.
Cappy
No matter when we first hear that voice. Or the song being heard . The thing that is so unique is how he touches evryone in the same heartffelt way. How each and everyone of us become a life long fan.
I agree totally cappy about his band. They are the best in country music.
Its obviious that they all love playing for Randy to have stuck with him almost his entire career.
Ditto for his producer Kyle Lehning. That is a testiment to the mans character.
Even when one leaves to pursue their own careers ( Rob with SixWire) they don't hesitate to return.If the opportunity presents itself. The guys always look like they are enjoying themselves as much as Randy does when performing..
I too enjoyed your story cappy. And had to chuckle over the modern technology ipod being your introduction to discovering Randy and that amazing one of a kind talent. Dee
Cappy, love your story about first hearing Randy, especially the part about the IPOD. He truly would get a kick out of that since he, like me, remembers 8-tracks, casettes and vinyl.
Enjoy your shows this month. I'm already counting down until September and right now, that seems like a long ways away but time does fly when one is having fun. That is what they say, anyway.
Always and Forever...an RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
I remember the first time I heard RT like it was just yesterday. I was sitting at a cousin's house in Morrisburg Ontario and in walked her sister. She knew I was a huge country music fan and she said "Oh my god (sorry I prefer using gosh but this is the word she used) April you HAVE to hear this guy sing." I asked her who and she said it was Randy Travis. Well she put the tape in and played On The Other Hand. I was BLOWN away. My exact words were ''WOW, what a voice!'' Then we listed to the rest of the tape and on came Digging Up Bones. I played that song on her cassette a good 20 times that day and it was not easy rewinding each time back then I tell you. Thank goodness for cds lol. I was hooked. I made her take me to Prescott so I could buy the tape. I have been buying ever since and although I pretty much luv everything Randy has done my best still is and always will be Digging Up Bones.
I first heard Randy in the car on our way to Tennessee, then saw him on the awards show 2 weeks later. That was in 1986. I was hooked forever and ever. It has been great fun ever since. He's the best.
Janet
One of Randy's early hits is that catchy tune "1982." written by Blackmon and Vipperman. Did you know when it was first presented to him it was written as "1962" ? and Randy said "I can't sing that. I was only 3 years old in 1962!" So the lyrics were changed to 1982 to make it much more relevant to Randy.
Before meeting Randy, I was a long time country music fan. My favorites were Charley Pride, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, and somewhat later - EmmyLou Harris. Oh yeah, I go back to the days of Ernest Tubb, Eddy Arnold, Kitty Wells and Ray Price (who is still singing at 82 yrs of age).
My favorite rock group was Credence Clearwater Revival. Figure that one out! What a unique sound, especially "Bad Moon Rising."
Anybody else out there remember when you had to replace needles to play your records?
Dr Don Givens
I was driving in my car in Honolulu and heard Randy sing "On the Other hand" and I thought what a unique voice! What a genuine country voice so different from all the other "country out there." That was 1986. Later I was fascinated with "1982." Never in my wildest dreams did I realize at that point what a close association I would have with him later on. I saw him on the Awards shows in 1987 and 1988 and was so happy he was winning all those awards, but at that point I knew very little about him. It was only when he and Elizabeth started attending my church on Maui in 1992 that I got to know him and her well. Wonderful association that continues to this day.
BTW thank everyone for the positive true fan's comments.
Dr Don Givens
It was in 1990 I have always loved country music ever since I can remember. My husband came home with a cd and said I have found you someone new to listen to and you must listen to on the other hand first. Well what can I say after that I just could not get enough of that fantastic voice. And one day I am sure my dream will come true and I will get to see him in concert. I have tried everything to get to Ireland but there is no way unless I swim the Irish sea tempting but I cant swim. I only live in Wales so not to far.
I remember it like it was yesterday instead of 23 yrs ago. It was June of 86. I had gotten up in the middle of the night with my son who was less than a month old. I turned on the tv to a local station and kind of dozed off. This particular station did not broadcast all night. They used CMT to fill in the early morning hours. Something startled me awake. It took me a moment to figure out that it was an awesome voice that I had never heard before. At that time I was still listening to Pop/Rock and did not listen to country at all. Country music was my parent's music, not mine. It was something that I was forced to listen to when I was a kid held captive in the car with my family.
I have been hooked ever since. My newborn son who is now 23 yrs old and weeks away from having his own son likes to joke that in those wee hours of the morning, with my maternal hormones raging, that I bonded with Randy when I should have been bonding with him.
Well, some of us are just a bit slower than others I guess. But trust me, as everyone knows, once i got going following Randy, there was no stopping me. After having first met him and Elizabeth and getting to know them, I have never had any doubts that i made the right choice as far as an artist's career to follow.
Great music and great people.
Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg
Not to say I haven't listened to or enjoyed other types of music, as I have. But Country has always been my piority favorite.
But I have also liked artists such as Nat king Cole, Bobby Vinton, Bobby Daren, Andy Williams, Perry Como,
My favorite band has always been Creedence Clearwater Revival...Odd given they are so far removed from country as one can get. But it was their unique sound that drew me to them.. Just as Randys did to him.
As for being a slow learner, well, not knowing your age Linda, I would
venture a guess that perhaps I may have close to a 20 year head start on you when it comes to being a listener of country muisc. :) Dee