Multi-platinum country legend Randy Travis will be honored by his peers with ties to the Lone Star State during “A Texas Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis – 1 Night, 1 Place, 1 Time” which will be held at the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 7 p.m.
A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis
The Texas-sized tribute will be in addition to the previously announced “A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis” which will be held on October 24, 2023, in Huntsville, Alabama at VBC Propst Arena.
The star-studded lineup will be announced in the coming weeks, with artists who are “specifically from or greatly associated with” the Texas music scene, according to a press release. Fans can expect to hear the guests perform several of Travis’ 23 No. 1 hits to honor the iconic singer-songwriter.
The North Carolina native has had a special connection with Texas, primarily residing in nearby New Mexico during the ‘90s, then moving to the Lone Star State in the 2010s with his wife Mary. The couple has called the Dallas-Fort Worth region home for nearly a decade, curating a deep relationship with the Texas music scene.
Who Are The “Heroes And Friends” Participating?
During a press conference announcing the concert, Randy’s wife Mary shared more about Randy’s heroes and friends who will participate in the event.
“We are so happy to be able to have some of the great artists that we’ve known in the past. Some may be a little older, some our age and some younger and a lot younger, to come and sing some of Randy’s songs to you. Because even in Randy’s silence, he’s still making music. And that’s by touching lives, touching hearts, making a difference, and inspiring those that are coming behind him.”
A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Randy Travis Foundation, which focuses on stroke and aphasia awareness and supporting music education in schools. The two-part purpose is to support and find a cure for viral cardiomyopathy, along with providing opportunities for at-risk children to participate in arts and music programs.
Why Is The Randy Travis Foundation Important?
In 2013, Randy experienced a massive stroke, which drastically altered the course of his life. Mary told Music Mayhem why the mission of The Randy Travis Foundation is so important.
“The foundation was formed out of experience and nothing that we would’ve understood when we started this journey,” she recalls. “He was in a coma for three days before they detected the stroke. We feel like there’s a lot of things that need to be understood, a lot of things that need to be changed so that somebody doesn’t have to go through those three days before it’s detected because there’s so many great medical miracles that can change the direction of one if caught soon enough.”
Randy Travis Is Unable To Sing Or Speak Due To His Stroke
Randy’s stroke resulted in aphasia, which affects how a person communicates, leaving him without the ability to sing or speak. Mary shared how it pains her to see people misunderstood Randy’s lack of verbal communication.
“I want them to understand that if somebody may be in a wheelchair, there may be paralysis, they may have had a stroke and there may be aphasia.” She also wants people to focus on how Randy can still communicate in his own way. “He does what he can and he lights up a room.”
Ten years after his stroke, the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s joyful personality is still evident. Throughout the press conference, Randy was full of smiles, nodding in agreement with Mary as she verbally communicated what was evident in his heart.
“Randy Will Be On The Stage”
During the “Heroes & Friends” tribute concert, fans will get to see that positive energy in person.
“Randy will be on the stage,” says Mary. “He would give anything in the world if he could stand up there and sing for people. He will do everything that he can to support the artists. We will be there, we will be on the stage. Randy will be there for people to love on, to hug on, to just appreciate his legacy.”
Tickets for “A Texas Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis – 1 Night, 1 Place, 1 Time” are on sale now at the Texas Trust CU Theatre box office as well as AXS.com and randytravis.com.
