Randy Travis Makes Public Appearance at Texas Benefit

Randy Travis seems to be making great strides in his recovery. The 'Forever and Ever, Amen' singer made a rare public appearance at the Four Rivers Outreach Banquet at the North Texas Regional Airport on Thursday (Sept. 18), where he was seen walking with the help of a cane.

"Every day we go to speech therapy and physical therapy and occupational therapy," Travis' fiancée, Mary Davis, tells WFAA TV. "We're learning words and phrases; learning to sing. Of course, the music and the songs come easy for him … he's working on it. He's got the heart of a warrior, and he doesn't stop."

Travis suffered a stroke last year, after being hospitalized for viral cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. As of June, the Grand Ole Opry member was still unable to speak, but Davis says he is not giving up.

"He knows that the road ahead of us is long and tedious, but he's up for the challenge," she says. "He's never, never shied away from it, never asked, 'Why me?'"

His health issues aren't the only problems the singer has faced in recent years. He was arrested in February 2012 for public intoxication and in August of that year for simple assault, which resulted in Travis being sentenced to community service. As part of his community service requirements, the Texan performed a free show for the Four Rivers Outreach Banquet last year, which may fulfill his entire obligation.

"If Four Rivers were to have to pay him to come and do a performance, it would be pretty astronomical,"  probation department spokesman Alan Brown says. "If you broke that down into an hourly wage, then he's more than fulfilled his requirements as far as his community service if you looked at it that way."

Travis' concert last year helped raise $169,000 for the organization, which provides both residential and non-residential help to men and women battling addictions and homelessness. More information on their program can be found here.

Travis may still be recovering, but that hasn't stopped him from sharing new music with his loyal fans. He released the single 'Don't Worry 'Bout Me,' in July, along with an accompanying video. The song is from his ‘Influence, Vol. 2: The Man I Am’ album, which can be ordered here.

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