Randy Travis Makes Appearance at Joe Nichols Concert

Joe Nichols had a very special guest at his concert on Saturday night (Nov. 22) at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, Texas. The one and only Randy Travis showed up -- not to play, but to watch the show.

Travis treated Nichols and his family to a barbecue dinner (how many people get to say that in their lifetime?), and when the 'Yeah' singer hit the stage, he honored the legend in a very special way, playing an acoustic version of 'Promises,' Travis' 1987 hit, for the first time ever.

Travis and Nichols have a special relationship: Last year, the 55-year-old invited his buddy to record the duet 'Tonight I'm Playin' Possum' as a tribute to George Jones. It's featured on Travis' 'Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am.'

This weekend's show was one of the few times Travis has ventured into the public eye since his stroke, which came from complications of congestive heart failure, in July 2013. Although he's been making progress, the latest updates indicate that Travis is unable to sing or speak, but can still play guitar and is learning to write again.

“He wakes up with a smile on his face; he goes to bed with a smile on his face. He inspires me daily,” says Mary Davis, Travis' fiancee. “There’s never that, ‘Why me Lord?’ It’s always, ‘Why not me, Lord?’”

The 'Three Wooden Crosses' singer has made a few rare appearances at friends' concerts. In February, he attended a Neal McCoy show, and this past June, Travis showed up at Dolly Parton's concert in Oklahoma, where he was warmly greeted by his longtime friend.

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