Travis was born in Marshville, North Carolina, the second of six children of Bobbie, a textile factory worker, and Harold Traywick, a horse breeder, turkey farmer, and construction business owner. While growing up, Travis was forced to take guitar lessons by his father and began performing at the age of eight with his brother, Ricky. Travis began drinking at the age of 12, and by 14 was a regular marijuana user, who occasionally dabbled in harder drugs. He often fought with his father and soon dropped out of high school. He became a juvenile delinquent and was arrested for various offenses, including auto theft and burglary.
Harold Traywick entered Randy and Ricky in a talent contest at a nightclub called "Country City, USA" in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the meantime, Ricky, who also had brushes with the law, was sentenced to jail and Randy had to complete the contest alone, but he won anyway. The club's manager, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher, took an interest in Travis and gave him a job singing at the club. Travis began focusing on music. He first recorded for Paula Records and released two unsuccessful singles — "She's My Woman" and "Dreamin'". Travis' legal troubles continued and he was due in court for probation violations. Hatcher pleaded with the judge and Travis was released in her custody with the warning that if the judge ever saw him again "he'd better bring his toothbrush, because he would be going to jail for a very long time."
Travis moved in with Hatcher. This put further strain on her already fragile marriage. She eventually left her husband and, in 1982, she and Travis moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Travis was soon turned down by every record label in town. His early demo tapes were criticized by Nashville record executives as being "too country." Hatcher took a job as manager of a nightclub, "The Nashville Palace" and hired Travis as a cook and singer. It was during this time that an unlikely romance began to form between the two; Travis said "I think we discovered how much we needed each other."
Career
In 1982, Travis recorded an independent album Randy Ray Live and Lib Hatcher used it to secure a deal with Warner Bros. Records. However, the label said they had to keep their romance a secret, so as not to turn away fans, and changed his stage name from Randy Ray to Randy Travis. In 1985, Warner Brothers released Travis' single, "On the Other Hand," which topped out at 67 on the country charts. His next single, "1982", became a Top 10 hit followed by the re-release of "On the Other Hand" in 1986. The re-release became Travis' first number one hit.
His debut album, Storms of Life, went on to sell more than 4 million copies. In the late 1980s, he had a string of hits, including "No Place Like Home" and "Diggin' Up Bones." A song from his second Warner Brothers album "Always and Forever" titled "Forever and Ever, Amen" arguably launched the neo-traditionalist country era, boosting the popularity of country music beyond its traditional fan base. For two years in a row, Travis won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, for the albums Always & Forever in 1988, and for Old 8x10 in 1989. Off the success of his first two albums, Old 8x10 shipped platinum. Always and Forever was number one for 43 weeks.
Travis and Hatcher married in 1991. That year Travis took part in Voices That Care, a multi-artist project that featured other top names in music for a one-off single to raise money for the allied troops in the Gulf War. The project included fellow singers Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers and Kathy Mattea. By 1992, Travis was no longer charting high, as Brooks, Clint Black and others had taken over Nashville. He took a break from music to concentrate on acting and landed roles in several Western-genre films. He returned to recording with the 1994 album This Is Me and the hit single "Whisper My Name."
In 1997, Travis parted ways with Warner Brothers. He moved to DreamWorks Nashville and recorded You and You Alone, which produced the top 10 hits "Out of My Bones" and "Spirit of a Boy, Wisdom of a Man." These were followed by 2000's albums Inspirational Journey, 2002's Rise and Shine and 2003's Worship and Faith. The single "Three Wooden Crosses" from the Rise and Shine album reached No. 1 and won the CMA song of the year in 2003. That same year, Travis ranked #13 on CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music. Travis continues to act in film and television; he appeared on the series finale of Touched by an Angel. His second most recent album, Passing Through, was released in November of 2004. It combines the country music of his earlier years, with a little gospel mixed in from more recent albums. After the release of "Glory Train" in 2005 and the Christmas album "Songs of the Season" in 2007, Travis released his brand new single "Faith In You" as a free download from his official website. It heralds the projected summer [2008] release of his forthcoming album, "Around the Bend". Along with the release of the free single, RandyTravis.com has also underwent a complete overhaul, with opportunities for fans to create blogs and join an upcoming official fan club. The new sleek look of the website has attracted throngs of fans. Contributor Anthony Maurizio has recently produced the Digging Up Bones blog series on the website, which has increased website traffic and is considered one of the most esteemed country music articles available for reading.
He Walked on Water
Randy Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he'd sit in the shade and watch the chickens peck
And his teeth were gone, but what the heck
I thought that he walked on water
Said he was a cowboy when he was young
He could handle a rope and he was good with a gun
And my mama's daddy was his oldest son
And if the story was told, only heaven knows
But his hat seemed to me like an old halo
And though his wings, they were never seen
I thought that he walked on water
Well, he tied a cord to the end of a mop
And said, "Son, here's a pony, keep her at a trot"
And I'd ride in circles while he laughed a lot
Then I'd flop down beside him
And he was ninety years old in '63
And I loved him and he loved me
And Lord, I cried the day he died
'Cause I thought that he walked on water
But if the story was told, only heaven knows
But his hat seemed to me like an old halo
And though his wings, they were never seen
I thought that he walked on water
Yeah, I thought that he walked on water
Randy Travis's song "He Walked on Water" is a poignant tribute to a man who was held in high esteem by the singer during his childhood. Although the old man, who has lost his teeth, describes himself as a cowboy, he now spends his days observing the chickens while wearing crisp white shirts that are buttoned up to his neck. The singer, as a young boy, believed this man could do no wrong and saw him as an almost divine figure capable of performing miracles. The hat the man wore was like an old halo and he seemed to be walking on water.
As the singer reflects on his fond memories, he recalls the playful moments he shared with the old man, including when he rode a mop like a pony and laughed alongside his young companion. He remembers feeling heartbroken when the old man passed away, contemplating whether the stories he'd heard about his miraculous behavior were just tales or if they were unverifiable truths. Regardless, it doesn't change the way the singer felt about him.
The lyrics are poignant, and the song strikes a chord with anyone who has lost a loved one they felt was larger than life. The song conveys the beauty of the simple things in life, such as spending time together, and how these moments can be transformative experiences. Sometimes people we admire may not perform miracles or possess superhuman abilities, as the man the singer idolized did, but the way they touch our lives can make us feel like we've encountered something divine.
Line by Line Meaning
He wore starched white shirts buttoned at the neck
He dressed in formal clothes with a stiff shirt and buttoned collar
And he'd sit in the shade and watch the chickens peck
He would relax in a shaded area while observing his chickens
And his teeth were gone, but what the heck
His teeth were missing, but it didn't matter
I thought that he walked on water
I held him in high esteem and thought he was extraordinary
Said he was a cowboy when he was young
He claimed to be a skilled rancher in his younger days
He could handle a rope and he was good with a gun
He had expertise in lasso and firearm use
And my mama's daddy was his oldest son
He was my mother's father's eldest child
And if the story was told, only heaven knows
It is uncertain if the stories about him are true
But his hat seemed to me like an old halo
His hat appeared like a halo to me
And though his wings, they were never seen
He never had visible wings, like an angel
Well, he tied a cord to the end of a mop
He attached a string to a mop to make a makeshift horse
And said, "Son, here's a pony, keep her at a trot"
He pretended the mop was a horse and instructed me to make it move
And I'd ride in circles while he laughed a lot
I would spin in circles on the 'horse' while he found great amusement
Then I'd flop down beside him
After playing, I would collapse near him
And he was ninety years old in '63
He lived to be 90 years old in 1963
And I loved him and he loved me
We had a strong bond and affection for each other
And Lord, I cried the day he died
I wept when he died
'Cause I thought that he walked on water
I was devastated because I believed he was extraordinary
Yeah, I thought that he walked on water
I held him in high esteem and considered him remarkable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Allen Shamblin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yvindHvaal
I'm soon to be 74 and my grandpa passed away in 1959. He raised me and made me the person I am today. It's many years since I've heard Randy sing this song, but I found it on YT today. Memories came back in an instant. Teared up. Love Randys voice.
@barrythompson6423
Hello how are you doing
@titolopez1490
hi, i am from Guadalajara México and i love country music and i like your story, bless for you and your family 🙋🏻♂️.
@barbbouma4838
I agree. There is something special about Randy Travis,
@jimgutierrez7774
God gives us beautiful people to let us understand how precious life itself can be ?love ur neighbor and be. Kind t o strangers
@markbowman4386
Good story! Hope you are doing ok now... I've been listening to Randy Travis for years. He is great. He can only listen to people that play his music now. That because he had a stroke years ago.. May God bless Randy Travis!
@daltonbyrd1124
I'm playing this song right now for my grandfather who just turned 84. Fighting to hang on to see us all one last time. Love you and gonna miss you papa Bishop!!!
@claytonwalker3490
Hope things turned out alright for papa bishop 👍🏻
@jonburrows2684
Did papa pass?
@dbergum1
Damn...You need to go see him and get yer ass of you tube,,