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 β "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.
This Is Me
Randy Travis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a feeling that you're holding in
Why do you keep your distance as close as we've been?
Do you think your silence is saying
There ain't nothing wrong with you?
This is me you're not talking to
This is me
The one you've leaned on 'til now
Don't you know I'm still here for you
So what do you think you're doing?
Who do you think you're fooling?
This is me you're not talking to
You can run to me no matter what you're running from
If it's something I'm doing
I'll get it undone
Just don't let me be a stranger
To what you're going through
Hey, this is me you're not talking to
This is me
The one who knows you inside out
The one you've leaned on 'til now
Don't you know I'm still here for you
So what do you think you're doing?
Who do you think you're fooling?
This is me you're not talking to
Hey, this is me, you're not talking to
In Randy Travis' song "This Is Me," he speaks directly to a friend or loved one who has been keeping their thoughts and feelings hidden. Travis is concerned about the silence and distance that has been created between them, prompting him to ask if something is wrong. He reminds the person that he is familiar with them "inside out" and that they have leaned on each other in the past. Through his words, Travis is saying that he is always available to run to, no matter what the person is going through. He urges the person not to push him away by keeping secrets or allowing their relationship to become strained.
This song is a powerful expression of the value of human connection and the importance of communication. It reminds us that sometimes we forget just how much we need each other and that we have to reach out and speak up when someone we care about appears to be struggling. It is a reminder that there is always someone willing and able to listen and support us, and that it is vital to maintain those relationships by being open and honest.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I get the feeling there's something you're holding in
I am sensing that you have something you are not sharing with me
How can you be so quiet as close as we've been
We have been very close, so it's surprising how quiet you are now
Do you think your silence is saying there ain't nothing wrong with you
Is your silence an indication that you believe everything is perfect with you?
This is me you're not talking to
You are not communicating with me, and it's important to remember who I am
You can run to me no matter what you're running from
I am always here for you and you can confide in me without hesitation
If it's something I'm doing I'll get it undone
If the issue involves something I'm doing, I will make sure to rectify it
Just don't let me be a stranger to what you're going through
I want to understand what you're going through, so please don't shut me out
This is me
I am your friend and confidante
The one who knows you inside out
I know you very well, including your strengths and weaknesses
The one you've leaned on 'til now
You have confided in me in the past and I have been supportive
Don't you know I'm still here for you
I am still available to help you and be your friend
So what do you think you're doing
I want to understand your behavior and actions
Who do you think you're fooling
I don't believe you are being truthful with me
This is me you're not talking to
You are not communicating with me, and it's important to remember who I am
Hey, this is me, you're not talking to
I want to remind you of who I am - your friend and confidante
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thom Mchugh, Tom Curtis Shapiro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bretttroutman1039
Come back randy Tarvis get well soon you are one my all time favorite country music singers of all time
@TryingtoSmile4U
I ask every one Β to please listen to this song again. Listen to every word. But don't think of it as a love song. Instead, imagine God is saying it to you.
@maryladams79
i was thinking of the same thing, i think of god whenever i hear this song
@edwill62
Exactly......
@hamphrrs4375
I agree...but what about the part "if it's something I'm doing I'll get it undone" ? the bible says ... God changes not ??? Lol but good point!
@Kaliiiibby
Amen
@mikerowland2830
Amen, I needed to hear that. Everybody else is against me.
@an3551
Randy, i am sitting here on an insomnia night, listening to you with a tissue in hand. your music is so full of emotion. Thank you!!
@pub6023
God love Randy Travis!
@johnscism3504
Praying for you brother .God bless you too