Randy Travis Goes Back To The Vault For New CD

Randy Travis’ 21^st studio album, Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am, is set to hit stores on Oct. 1. The record is a journey back through Travis’ musical career to the songs and artists who influenced his sound and style, and features Travis putting his own vocal stamp on vintage songs from Merle Haggard, Lefty Frizzell, and Waylon Jennings, among others. It also includes his recent duet with Joe Nichols, “Tonight I’m Playing Possum,” the tribute to George Jones he debuted earlier this year at the CMA Music Festival.
Travis first came upon the idea of making the album after releasing his 25^th Anniversary Celebration and going back through his collaborations with artists like Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, and Carrie Underwood, reflecting on the heroes who have inspired him throughout the course of his career.
“When I think of my musical heroes of yesteryear, or the younger stars of this year, I am reminded that it is true we learn from the ones ahead of us, and teach the ones that follow.  They are the reason I chose to make this album,” says Travis.
Songs on the new CD include:
1)   “Someday We’ll Look Back” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1971)
2)   “Big Butter And Egg Man” – originally recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five (released 1926)
3)   “What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana” –originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1976)
4)   “Ever Changing Woman” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1980)
5)   “Pennies From Heaven” – originally recorded by Bing Crosby (released 1936)
6)   “Thanks A Lot” – originally recorded by Ernest Tubb (released 1964)
7)   “Trouble In Mind” – originally recorded by Thelma La Vizzo (released 1924)
8)    “My Mary” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson (released 1983)
9)   “Saginaw Michigan” – originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell (released in 1964)
10)  “Always On A Mountain (When I Fall)” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1978)
11)   “Because You Asked Me To” – originally recorded by Waylon Jennings (released 1973)
12)  “Why Baby Why ” – originally recorded by George Jones (released 1955)
13) “Tonight I’m Playing Possum” – recorded by Joe Nichols/Randy Travis (released 2013)

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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