Signed to Warner Brothers Records in 1985 after being turned down by nearly every record label in Nashville, Randy Travis made it big in the country music scene and stayed there for years. Fifteen years later, Travis released his first (of five) Country Gospel albums:
2004's Passing Through, while not a strictly gospel album, mixed enough gospel in with mainstream country to win the Dove Country Album of the Year (one of eight Dove wins for the singer).
Though Randy fell from grace (both country and Christian) in 2012 when he was arrested for alcohol stupidity more than once, bad choices don't take anything away from his amazing gift for music. The stroke he suffered in 2013 has kept him from being in the public eye (or on stage) as he learns to talk and sing again, but his music keeps his legacy going.
The hit song from Rise and Shine was named the Dove 2004 Country Song of the Year for good reason -- even 11 years later, this song is still a winner.
From the song ...
There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows.
I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It's what you leave behind you when you go.
The 2001 Dove Country Recorded Song of the Year is as heartfelt as it is homey.
From the song ...
Daddy, in his good hat
Mamma in her sunday dress
Watched with pride as I stood there
In the water up to my chest.
Found on 2014's compilation collection, Hymns: 17 Timeless Songs Of Faith, "Peace In The Valley" was first released in 2003 on Worship & Faith, which won the 2004 Dove Country Album of the Year
From the song ...
There will be peace in the valley
For me some day
There will be peace in the valley
For me, Oh Lord. I pray
There'll be no sadness
No sorrow, no trouble I see
There will be peace
In the valley for me.
First released on Passing Through and then again on Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis, "Angels" was one of the gospel songs that helped the album get the Dove win.
From the song ...
Are you telling me that you've never seen an angel?
Never felt the presence of one standing by?
No robe of white
No halo in site
Well you missed the most obvious thing
Man, are you blind?
Just look in your mothers eyes
The classic hymn from Worship & Faith also got top billing on the 2009 compilation.Â
"In The Garden" was so popular in 2003, it was included on both of the compilation CDs that Word put out.
Fans either loved the tune from Inspirational Journey for its simplicity or they hated it for being too basic.Â
From the song ...
Doctor Jesus, Will you help me?
Make me better, make me whole
Doctor Jesus, Lord, I need you
To mend my heart, and save my soul
It's impossible to listen to "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," from Glory Train Songs of Faith, Worship and Praise, and not smile while you're transported back to your childhood.
Another 2003 fan favorite and classic hymn, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" was also a double-header -- getting space on both of the Word collections.
- Inspirational Journey, 2000
- Rise and Shine, 2002
- Worship & Faith, 2003
- Glory Train Songs of Faith, Worship and Praise, 2005
- Around the Bend, 2008
2004's Passing Through, while not a strictly gospel album, mixed enough gospel in with mainstream country to win the Dove Country Album of the Year (one of eight Dove wins for the singer).
Though Randy fell from grace (both country and Christian) in 2012 when he was arrested for alcohol stupidity more than once, bad choices don't take anything away from his amazing gift for music. The stroke he suffered in 2013 has kept him from being in the public eye (or on stage) as he learns to talk and sing again, but his music keeps his legacy going.
"Three Wooden Crosses"
The hit song from Rise and Shine was named the Dove 2004 Country Song of the Year for good reason -- even 11 years later, this song is still a winner.
From the song ...
There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows.
I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It's what you leave behind you when you go.
"Baptism"
The 2001 Dove Country Recorded Song of the Year is as heartfelt as it is homey.
From the song ...
Daddy, in his good hat
Mamma in her sunday dress
Watched with pride as I stood there
In the water up to my chest.
"Peace In The Valley"
Found on 2014's compilation collection, Hymns: 17 Timeless Songs Of Faith, "Peace In The Valley" was first released in 2003 on Worship & Faith, which won the 2004 Dove Country Album of the Year
From the song ...
There will be peace in the valley
For me some day
There will be peace in the valley
For me, Oh Lord. I pray
There'll be no sadness
No sorrow, no trouble I see
There will be peace
In the valley for me.
"Angels"
First released on Passing Through and then again on Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis, "Angels" was one of the gospel songs that helped the album get the Dove win.
From the song ...
Are you telling me that you've never seen an angel?
Never felt the presence of one standing by?
No robe of white
No halo in site
Well you missed the most obvious thing
Man, are you blind?
Just look in your mothers eyes
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken?"
The classic hymn from Worship & Faith also got top billing on the 2009 compilation.Â
"In The Garden"
"In The Garden" was so popular in 2003, it was included on both of the compilation CDs that Word put out.
"Doctor Jesus"
Fans either loved the tune from Inspirational Journey for its simplicity or they hated it for being too basic.Â
From the song ...
Doctor Jesus, Will you help me?
Make me better, make me whole
Doctor Jesus, Lord, I need you
To mend my heart, and save my soul
"He's Got The Whole World In His Hands"
It's impossible to listen to "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," from Glory Train Songs of Faith, Worship and Praise, and not smile while you're transported back to your childhood.
"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"
Another 2003 fan favorite and classic hymn, "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" was also a double-header -- getting space on both of the Word collections.
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