Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » randy travis

Country stars react to George Jones’ passing

Lydia Picknell — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:56:05 +0000

It’s been a tragic few days for country music stars and country fans. The legendary George Jones passed away in a Nashville hospital, and country stars have reacted in shock and sadness over the loss of an icon. See what some of your favorite stars have said about the great George Jones:

Brad Paisley:

“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have.

We miss you already, George.

Brad”

Dolly Parton:

“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”

Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts:

“He was the greatest country vocalist that ever lived! Through the years we have all tried to emulate the passion in his voice, but no one can fill his shoes.”

Merle Haggard:

“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.”

Easton Corbin:

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my all time heroes, George Jones. Georges’ music was real and he was able to touch thousands through his songs. Not only was he a great singer, but he also had the ability to make you relate to every one of his songs, no matter who you are. He and his music will remain timeless in the world of country music. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time.”

Blake Shelton (via Twitter):

Just landed in LA. Listened to “The King Is Gone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” over and over again just like always. Can’t accept it. Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…

Kelly Clarkson (via Twitter):

Sad to hear about George Jones passing. That man touched a lot of lives with his music. Thanks for setting the bar for the rest of us. #RIPGeorgeJones

Randy Travis sentenced to Rehab

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:23:39 +0000

Our friends at TMZ sent us some news on the Randy Travis drunk driving case this morning. According to TMZ, Randy was sentenced to 180 days in jail last year after pleading guilty to a drunk driving charge, but he won’t actually serve the time behind bars. He was given a probated sentence for two years, so if Randy avoids trouble with the law for two years then he’ll have served his time. If he does find himself in trouble again, however, he’ll have to serve the 180 days.

TMZ also reports that Randy must spend 30 days in a rehab facility for his alcohol problem and serve 100 hours of community service. He also needs to install an ignition interlock device on all of his vehicles for the next two years. The device requires a breath test from the driver to make sure he isn’t under the influence of alcohol when behind the wheel, before the car will turn on.

Read the full story over at TMZ and let us know what you think.

Randy Travis Hospitalized After Fight

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:37:01 +0000

According to a breaking story on TMZ, Randy Travis was hospitalized after a fight in a Texas church parking lot early this morning. Law enforcement sources told TMZ that they responded to a call about a fight at 1 am local time, and both men were taken to hospital. The source told TMZ that Randy appeared to be “highly intoxicated” and that the fight was over a girl.

This isn’t Randy’s first run-in with law enforcement this month: he was arrest for driving while intoxicated after he was found naked at the scene of a car accident. He was also arrested for public intoxication back in February when he was found on the steps to a different church.

TMZ has been unsuccessful in attempts to reach Travis at this time.

Randy Travis Arrested For DWI

Jessica Crans — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 04:05:32 +0000

Randy Travis is having a bit of a rough year. TMZ has reported that police found Randy lying naked outside of his crashed car last night in Texas. They arrested him for DWI and for making threads against the cops. Travis was said to have threatened to shoot and kill the cops who arrested him for driving drunk, according to the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office. This was after Travis was put inside the cop car. Travis was taken to jail – in his birthday suit – and was given a shirt and some paper clothes once he arrived there.

According to the GCSO, TMZ is reporting that the officers received a call at 11:18 PM from a person stating there was a man lying in the road. When the troopers arrived on the scene, they found Travis had driven his 1998 Pontiac Trans Am off the road and slammed into several barricades in a construction zone.

The country singer refused to take a breathalyzer on the scene, so blood was drawn to determine his BAC.

This is Travis’ 2nd arrest this year. In February, Randy was arrested for public intoxication for allegedly drinking in front of a Baptist church. According to the police report, Randy said he had just gotten into a fight with his girlfriend.

EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Tim Culpepper

Tia — Mon, 21 May 2012 22:04:32 +0000

Nashville recording artist Tim Culpepper is one heck of a country artist who truly emulates the definition of old-time, honkytonk country. His road to Nashville started with a simple request from his father, country entertainer/musician Forest (Curly) Culpepper, to take his gift to Music City.

There is no doubt that Tim’s family, complete with many accomplished singers and musicians, shaped the singer and songwriter Tim has become. Other influences, including George Strait and Keith Whitley, helped to create and maintain an interest and appreciation for a traditional, raw sound that is evident in his music.

Looking ahead to the release of his debut album, just days away, Tim is enjoying the success of his current single “Ghost,” which has spent twenty weeks on the Music Row chart.

Tim took the time to answer some questions for us via email. He discusses his forthcoming album, what he appreciates about country music and gives readers insight into the down-to-earth musician and man that he truly is.

“Pourin’ Whiskey On Pain,” your debut album, will be available by May 31st. What kind of story or message did you intend to deliver on this record?
There are still a multitude of people, myself included, who are inspired by the sound that built country music and I hope this body of work represents that.

Your single “Ghost” has spent several weeks on the charts. Can you tell us what this song means to you and why you wanted to release it as your first single?
Leading up to making this album, while performing this song live it just seemed to overwhelmingly resonate with the fans and at the end of the day, it’s all about giving THEM what they want.

Where did you draw your inspiration from when writing this album?
From playing honkytonks since my teens, along the way, I have either experienced or have known others who have lived every situation on this album. I guess the bottom line is, life gives you the lyrics, I put ‘em to music and call ‘em songs.

Do you feel pressure to succeed in the music industry since you come from such a musical family?
As far as my Mom, Dad and those who care about me, they’ve made it known that I’ve made them proud just taking the shot. And as for me, to make a living doing what I love for those that love what I do … well that’s what I call success.

What do you think you have that makes you unique in the country music genre?
I’m not sure what makes me unique, but I do what I do honestly. So I guess I’ll leave it up to the rest of you to decide what makes me unique.

Your sound can be compared to the likes of some of your influences, like George Jones and Randy Travis. Is it important for you to uphold that traditional, honkytonk sound amidst the mainstream pop-country hits on today’s radio?
To me, a house is not gonna stand long without a foundation, and this sound is the foundation that the country music house was built on. So, I hope it’s important to all of us in country music.

What do you love most about country music?
For the most part, that it reflects real people living real life and that it allows me an opportunity to make a difference.

What kind of show do you hope to deliver to your fans?
One that leaves them feeling they got their money’s worth.

What would you say has been the highlight of your musical career thus far?
Making this album and having my 1^st single so well received by so many folks I’ve never met, as well as radio.

What can our readers expect from you next?
As far as the music goes, more of the same. Beyond that, one Helluva Good Time!

Connect with Tim:
Official Site
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Watch his official music video for “Ghost”:

The Cuteness Of Kimberly Perry

Ted Efron — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:04:32 +0000

The thing about being in an all-family band is that your band mates are bound to have lots and lots of pictures of you. And they might get around to sharing those pictures. Such is the case with The Band Perry and this cute pic of a young Kimberly Perry.

The picture was posted on TBP’s Facebook page. We don’t know if it was put up by Neil, Reid or even by Kimberly herself. What we do know is that it shows that Kimberly knew what she wanted to do from even a super-young age. The caption on the pic says: “Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting Miss Kimberly Perry (at age 5). :)”

Kimberly is now 28, which means the pic was taken about 23 years ago. That puts us at around 1989. That means she could be singing Garth Brooks’“If Tomorrow Never Comes,” or “Deeper than The Holler” by Randy Travis or, and this would be kinda funny, Dolly Parton’s “Why’d Ya Come In Her Lookin’ Like That.”

Randy Travis Kicks Off 25th Anniversary Tour This Week

Ted Efron — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:56:25 +0000

Randy Travis is celebrating his 25 years in country music with the people who made it possible for the legend to have such longevity: His fans. The Grand Ole Opry member is taking his music on the road with stops all across North America. The silver anniversary tour starts Feb. 10 in Grand Ronde , OR and will make at least 30 more stops along the way. (For a complete list of tour dates, visit his website here.)

The tour is the latest part of the party celebrating Travis’ milestone. In June, Warner Bros. Records released of the Anniversary Celebration album. The 17-track album features guest artists who teamed with Travis to cover his classic tracks and some original offerings. The guest singers include Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Kris Kristofferson, Carrie Underwood, George Jones, Zac Brown Band, Lorrie Morgan, Jamey Johnson and many more.

Travis has had 18 #1 singles and 29 top-10 hits. His lifetime sales are more than 20 million, making him one of country music’s biggest sellers of all time. His honors include seven Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music statuettes, 10 American Music Awards, two People’s Choice awards, seven Music City News awards, eight Dove Awards and five Country Music Association honors.

You’d think that after 25 years in the business, there wouldn’t be anything new for Travis to experience. Not true. What you’re about to read is from a first for him: His first interview session via conference call! It may have been foreign territory for Travis, but he sounded relaxed as he talked about the upcoming tour, changes in the making of music and if he’s finally embracing technology:

On if the tour is something they had to plan as part of the 25^th Anniversary celebration:

With the exception of maybe three-quarters of one year, I’ve been on tour for the last 25 years. It’s just another year of doing the same. I’ve had people ask me about retiring and my answer to that is, “What would I do if I retire?” (Laughs) I think most people in country music, maybe all music, I think we start touring and we keep doing that until we die! (Laughs)

Comparing the emotions he felt heading into his first tour 25 years ago and the one he’s now about to start:

Well, I wanted to be in this business and I wanted to be a writer and a singer. I had been turned down by every label in Nashville for just a little over ten years. So when I finally got signed, things started happening to such a degree I was kinda shocked, to be honest with you. I’m sure I had that deer in the headlights look quite often.

It was kinda hard to keep up with it at that point. I few years had to go by before being able to look at it and see exactly everything that had been going on. I look at it now, as compared to then…I’m always and always have been grateful to be in this business. But at 25 years I’m probably even more thankful than I’ve ever been to have been able to make a living in this business, doing something that I love this much, I’m probably more grateful now than ever.

I’m still shocked at the fact that I can continue doing this at his far into it and have an audience to play for as we go out and tour and still be able to record. I’m just extremely grateful – probably more so than ever.

On if he enjoys playing shows in Canada (where this tour might have up to 10 stops):

Years ago the first trip up through Canada, the guy at Warner Bros. in Nashville said, “You probably won’t get quite the response from an audience in Canada that you might get in the United States. After the first night it was like, “Boy! Y’all missed that a long ways!” (Laughs) We had to do, I believe, it was two encores the first time! We’ve been treated like we’re at home, basically, and I appreciate that.

With so many special guests appearing on the Anniversary album, will any them be making appearances on the Anniversary tour:

Nah! After the recording was over, they all told me to leave them alone! (Laughs) There are dates throughout the year when we are, for instance…Like last year we worked some on some dates with Josh Turner, then a couple of times with Carrie Underwood.

So throughout this year it would be the same. There’s a date here and there with Josh and others. I don’t have my itinerary with me. But it won’t be a nightly thing that’s happening.

On whether it’s tough putting together a set list for his shows with so many great songs in his catalog:

Definitely. I think that for anybody who’s been in recording for any number of years, you come to that point and you realize that you can’t do them all. I try to keep those songs that were the biggest hits that I think people naturally expect to hear – like On The Other Hand, like 1982, like Forever and Ever, Amen, and no doubt Three Wooden Crosses. I try to stick with what would be a “greatest hits” package, I guess would be a good way to put that.

On if he gets the chance to out and visit and experience the towns he plays in:

Obviously in certain areas you’re going to go out and look. For instance, I don’t know why this comes to mind, but when we were out in South Dakota for the first time, you want to go out and see the Black Hills and you want to see Mount Rushmore.

Yeah, you just go out. Sometimes, to be honest with you, I’m just going out to go shopping for something I want to put on the bus. So I’m pretty much out every day and every place that we play. And, yeah, get a flavor for the folks when we’re there. Sometimes they don’t recognize you, sometimes they do. But I always make it a point to get out pretty much daily.

On how the recording songs has changed in the last 25 years:

It’s a different world now, there’s no doubt. Recoding, to begin with, you had to walk in the studio and sing the song. There was no tuning; there was no shifting anything around. You basically walked in and sang the song and that was your record.

Now we’re sitting in the place where you can tune and move it around. All of that’s pretty amazing to me. I know nothing about doing it, but when I watch an engineer in the studio do these kinds of things, it’s like, “Are you kidding me? You just moved that vocal, those two words, from that spot in the track to the next spot? Or you can tune one string on a guitar when you’re hearing eight, ten other instruments and six strings on that guitar. So, yeah, it’s changed a lot.

It used to be this simple: We’d make a record, promotions staff calls radio, “This is your single; play this.” They play it, you have a hit and go out on tour. Now if you don’t get airplay on radio you all the Internet things and ways of advertising and selling. It’s changed so much. At times I feel quite lost.

On whether he’s finally starting to embrace a bit of technology:

Yes and no. (Laughs) I was 50 years old before I owned my first cell phone. I jokingly say to Jeff Davis that my cell phone holds a battery charge longer than any phone I have ever seen! (Laughs)

I won’t say “embraced” it, but I have come to use it a little more. As far as the Internet, no. I still have not sent anything out on a computer or a laptop. And, to be honest with you, I still have not sent a text on phone. So I’m still fighting it as much as I can! (Laughs)

Randy Travis Going In New Direction For 2012

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:32:07 +0000

Randy Travis is really bringing in the “new” in New Year. The legendary country music singer is stepping out into 2012 with a brand new management team with a brand new direction. One of country music’s best-selling artists of all-time, Randy announced that he will now have the help of Ken Levithan, of Vector Management, and Jeff Davis, of SUM Management. Ken is the high-powered management force behind some of the biggest acts in music history, including Lynyrd Skynyd, Hank Williams Jr., Trace Adkins, The Fray, Kings Of Leon, and Emmylou Harris. The partnership of Vector Management and SUM Management to drive Randy’s career will still be assisted by CAA’s Marc Dennis.

Announcements of some major career initiatives will be coming from Randy’s new team. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of his career in the music industry last year.

Randy Travis Collapses During Performance

Tia — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:58:50 +0000

Country star Randy Travis performed for the Huguley Memorial Medical Center’s 18th Annual Crystal Heart Gala Sunday night in Fort Worth, Texas.

Reports claim that during his hit, “Three Wooden Crosses”, the singer stopped to apologize to the crowd for his vocal chords giving out. When attempting to sing again, Travis stumbled forward onto the front of the stage.

The Associated Press voiced afterward:

“MR. TRAVIS was overcome by a combination of dehydration, over-the-counter allergy medications, and caffeine use. This, combined with the heat of the stage lights, caused him to pass out.”

Sources state that the singer’s vital signs were evaluated as stable on his tour bus after regaining consciousness.

A spokesperson for Warner Music Nashville reassured that Randy’s tour will continue on, with his next stop in Tennessee on Saturday, October 1.

The Grand Ole Opry is turning 86!

Jessica Z — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:35:58 +0000

The Grand Ole Opry is turning 86 and what better way to celebrate an 86th birthday then with a star studded line up. Starting on October 4th, the Opry is honoring Randy Travis for his 25 years in country music and as an Opry member. Josh Turner, Connie Smith and Carrie Underwood and more will make appearances.

GAC will be filming several performances to be part of “Opry Live” which will air on GAC on October 15th at 8pm.

Performances by Rascal Flatts, Charley Pride and the Opry debut of Ronnie Dunn will take place on Friday, October 7th and Saturday October 8th, along with more artists. On October 8th, there will be a fee afternoon birthday bash held on the Opry plaza that will feature Mel Tillis.

It’s sure to be a memorable 86th birthday for the Opry. Will you be there?