Kenny, Josh + Carrie Sing the Praises of Randy Travis
Randy Travis has paved the way for many of today's contemporary artists, and for some of the biggest country stars, recording with him for his upcoming duets album, 'Anniversary Celebration,' it as a dream come true.
Kenny Chesney, who performs 'He Walked on Water' with Randy on the forthcoming collection, impressed a college girlfriend by taking her to see him, not once, but three times. So, to be able to work and sing with Randy was a surreal experience for Kenny. "It was awesome being the studio. I mean, when I was in college, the girl that I was dating at the time, I took her to three different Randy Travis shows when that 'Storms Of Life' album was out. He was rocking," the Tennessee native tells The Boot. "It was one of the reasons that it made me love country music even more. A lot of people felt that way. So, to be the kid in the audience three times and then to be in the studio and to have him ask you to be a part of it, means a lot."
Kenny and Randy's duet on 'Baptism' appeared on Kenny's 1999 album, 'Everywhere We Go.'
Carrie Underwood recorded Randy's hit, 'I Told You So,' for her 2007 album 'Carnival Ride.' The two also recorded a duet version of the song, which went on to win a Grammy in 2009 for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Carrie, who appears on Randy's 'Anniversary Celebration' on his 1989 No. 1 song, 'Is It Still Over?,' grew up listening to Randy and says she has can now call him a friend. "Randy is such a nice person. He truly is somebody that's conducted himself in such a wonderful way throughout his entire career," notes the songbird. "You've never seen him in the tabloids, you've never seen anything negative -- nobody has anything negative to say about this man. And it's absolutely wonderful that I feel like I've truly gained a friend."
Josh Turner duets with Randy on a song called 'T.I.M.E.' on the legendary performer's upcoming duets album. Being in the studio with Randy was an unreal experience for the young singer, especially because Josh idolized him and even went so far as to innocently stalk him! "Randy Travis was my hero growing up," Josh tells The Boot. "I went to Marshville, N.C., where he grew up and went to his high school and just drove around that town. And I went to his daddy's house to try to meet his daddy, and I met his neighbor from when he grew up. She was a little old lady, and she had a big poster of Randy that had been signed on her wall. She was sweet as she could be, but that's just what young fans do. They try to meet their heroes and the stars that they love. It was an innocent thing back then, and I've been able to talk to Randy about it. He was a little shocked. [laughs]"
'Anniversary Celebration,' which also includes duets with Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, the Zac Brown Band, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, among others, arrives in stores June 7th.
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