Randy Bruce Traywick was born May 4, 1959 in Monroe, North Carolina to Harold Bruce & Bobbie Rose Tucker Traywick. His father was a horse breeder, turkey farmer, substitute school teacher, and construction business owner. His mother was a textile factory worker. He is the second of six children, having three brothers; Ricky, David & Dennis; and two sisters, Sue & Rose. The 5'9" singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor makes his home in Tioga, TX. He has been married twice. On May 31, 1991 he married his manager, Elizabeth “Lib” Robertson Hatcher but Randy filed for divorce and the marriage ended on October 28, 2010. He married second wife, Mary Davis, on March 21, 2015. On July 7, 2013, Randy was admitted to the hospital for viral cardiomyopathy. He was listed in critical condition. Three days later he suffered a massive stroke and had surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain. The stroke left him unable to sing or even speak. He was at one time re-learning how to play guitar. It is unclear at this time whether he has regained the use of his wonderfully rich baritone voice or not. Travis is known for numerous songs, but a few are “Three Wooden Crosses”, “Forever & Ever Amen” and “On the Other Hand”.

The Academy of Country Music Awards Randy has won are: 1985 Top New Male Vocalist; 1986 Album of the Year for Storms of Life, Single of the Year for “On the Other Hand” and Top Male Vocalist; 1987 Single of the Year for “Forever and Ever Amen”, Song of the Year for “Forever and Ever Amen”; and 2003 Song of the Year for “Three Wooden Crosses.” American Music Awards won are: 1988 Favorite Country Album for Always & Forever, Favorite Country Male Artist, Favorite Country Single for “Forever and Ever Amen”; 1989 Favorite Country Album for Always & Forever, Favorite Country Male Artist, Favorite Country Single for “I Told You So”; 1990 Favorite Country Album for Old 8x10, Favorite Country Male Artist, and Favorite Country Single for “Deeper Than the Holler.” Country Music Association Awards are 1986 Horizon Award; 1987 Album of the Year for Always & Forever, Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year for “Forever and Ever, Amen”; 1988 Male Vocalist of the Year; and 2003 Song of the Year for “Three Wooden Crosses.” Grammy’s are 1988 Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Always & Forever”; 1989 Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Old 8x10”; 2004 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Rise and Shine; 2005 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Worship & Faith; 2007 Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album for Glory Train; and 2010 Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “I Told You So” by Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis. GMA Dove Awards are 2001 Country Recorded Song of the Year for “Baptism,” Bluegrass Album of the Year for Inspirational Journey; 2003 Country Album of the Year for Rise and Shine; 2004 Country Recorded Song of the Year for “Three Wooden Crosses”, Country Album of the Year for Glory Train; and 2009 Country Album of the Year for Around the Bend.