He was ass naked, plowed his car into a construction zone, and threatened to shoot the troopers who responded?
I mean, this is Randy Travis. I’m not an expert on the guy, but I always thought he was just a wholesome guy who played plain vanilla country music, the kind of music that country radio just eats up. But apparently he was a drunken delinquent as a lad, hooked up with his much older wife (and manager, and supposedly his beard according to one rumor), who steered him towards success, but has now left him, which seems to have completely unhinged him and sent him spiraling towards the George Jones Zone.
This just strikes me as odd. I’m trying to think of another performer as bland and inoffensive as Randy Travis whose life melted down publicly, and I can’t.
Pffft. This is babyshit compared to the exploits of Hank Williams, George Jones, Johnny Cash, et al…
ETA: OK none of those guys were ever considered bland, but it’s true that many, many country stars who’s public image was fairly wholesome led their lives entirely differently…
Well, duh! They pander to their bible thumpin’, god-fearing, religious right audience, it’s all a smokescreen. I suppose a few are ‘decent’, but a whole lot of c&w types are no different from Aerosmith or Def Leppard behind the scenes as soon as they get enough money to buy loads of coke, hookers and booze. Watch - Randy Travis will go dry out after this, and tearfully thank Jesus for showing him The Way. It might get him a People magazine cover!
Let’s look at his song list and see if this could have been predicted:
1990 All Night Long
1996 Are We In Trouble Now
2008 Around the Bend
1994 Before You Kill Us All
1985 Can’t Stop Now
2008 Everything That I Own (Has Got a Dent)
1994 Gonna Walk That Line
1989 It’s Just a Matter of Time
2004 Running Blind
I recall hearing about Travis’ wild teenage years almost 15 years ago. I think he was in/out of jail.
Falling in love with his manager changed him for the better. Despite the age difference, she was responsible for his years of success and staying out of trouble.
It’s a shame to see him spiraling out of control. I just hope he doesn’t end up destroying his career.
IMHO, country music (mainstream radio pop country) is very formulaic. Along with the “partyin’ and raisin’ Hell” songs, many country acts will also throw in some pseudo-Christian and patriotic songs to keep it wholesome.
Wow. This really doesn’t shock me. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t expect it, but from the little I’ve seen of his work, the man strikes me as having always been melancholy. It fits.
I’d better change my wandrin’ ways,
I know I’ve seen my better days,
Always gettin’ high when I get low.
Well, I left my soul out in the rain,
Lord, what a price I’ve had to pay.
The storms of life are washin’ me away
“Storms of Life” incidentally, is the only Randy Travis song I’ve ever really liked.
SS
I don’t know jack about Randy Travis but is there any male celebrity that isn’t surrounded by gay rumors?! At this point I’m just going to assume all male celebs are gay to make things easier.
