Randy Travis

Arizona Daily wildcat
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/news/randy-travis-croons-new-material-old-fav...
Randy Travis croons new material, old favorites at Centennial Hall
By Shain Bergan
Published: Sunday, August 23, 2009
Updated: Monday, August 24, 2009
Randy Travis performs at Centennial Hall in front of an audience of more than 1800
people on Saturday, Aug. 22. Rita Lichamer/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Randy Travis concert
UApresents
’ first-ever country music show drew a crowd of just over 1,800 Saturday night at
Centennial Hall.
Grammy winner Randy Travis’ stop on the UA campus had garnered about 1,700 ticket
sales going into Saturday, the show’s final day of sales. Centennial Hall has a capacity
of about 2,500.
The almost-packed house of mostly middle-to-older-aged spectators gathered in groups
just outside the venue 30 minutes before the doors opened, many dressed in cowboy
hats and shirts depicting Travis.
Travis sang some of his newer material from his most recent album,
Around the Bend
, along with some old favorites that span more than 20 years.
Having toured consistently over the past 24 years, the 50-year-old artist’s higher
notes were noticeably harsh at times, but Travis transitioned seamlessly into the
lower baritone voice his fans have become accustomed to.
Travis ended the night on a note of juxtaposition, singing two number-one singles
whose releases were separated by 16 years.
“Three Wooden Crosses,” released in 2003, reflects the artist’s gospel-sounding recent
work. Travis’ last song of the night, “Forever and Ever, Amen,” debuted in 1987 and
utilizes the quicker rhythm that launched Travis into stardom in the 1980s.
“For our first country show, I think it went great,” said Mario Di Vetta, UA
presents
marketing associate. “We always want to appeal to a large variety of people with
our shows.”
Having lost 75 percent of its state funding over the last year, UA
presents
turned to an e-mail and listserv campaign to attract attention to the concert, Di
Vetta said.
“We’ve stepped up our community and fundraising efforts,” he said. “The show met
expectations.”
Travis has 22 number one hits to his name, along with six number one albums, five
Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, according to a UA
presents
press release.