# Wait...Randy Travis is experiencing a downward spiral into drunkeness and despair? Randy Travis?!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971 "2012-08-09T16:16:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/1 "2012-08-09T16:16:27Z")
> **[Cops: Randy Travis Threatened to SHOOT, KILL Troopers](https://www.tmz.com/2012/08/08/randy-travis-threatened-to-shoot-kill-kill-troopers-mug-shot-black-eye-dwi-arrest/)** > > Randy Travis threatened to shoot and kill the troopers who arrested him for drunk driving last night ... this according to the Grayson County Sheriff's Office. > **[Randy Travis -- BUCK NAKED During Drunk Driving Arrest](https://www.tmz.com/2012/08/08/randy-travis-arrested-dwi/)** > > 7:54 AM PT -- Sources tell TMZ ... Travis was BUCK NAKED when cops arrived to the crash scene. It's unclear why Travis was not wearing clothes. 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. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/2 "2012-08-09T16:19:25Z")
Here he is leaving jail in his paper suit after some fans bailed him out: > **[Fans bail out Randy Travis after his naked arrest on DWI, obstruction...](https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/fans-bail-randy-travis-naked-arrest-dwi-obstruction-charges-article-1.1132496)** > > Disgraced country icon Randy Travis should be singing "Forever and Ever Amen" for his fans. After news broke of the 53-year-old Travis' arrest on DWI charges when he was found napping on the side of a Texas road after crashing his car, several of... ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/3 "2012-08-09T16:26:24Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > 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. Glen Campbell? ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/4 "2012-08-09T16:28:03Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/5 "2012-08-09T16:54:23Z")
> [@An\_Arky](#): > > 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! ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/6 "2012-08-09T17:49:35Z")
The only thing I was thinking when I heard this story was, “Wow!, Randy Travis drives a 14-yr old Pontiac?” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/7 "2012-08-09T17:54:54Z")
All the elements are there to make a pretty good song someday. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/8 "2012-08-09T19:23:00Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > 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! Aren’t a lot of their songs about all sorts of mayhem? Not sure it is pandering to anything or anyone. You thinking about the Christian singers maybe? And all fallen stars do the tearful confession thing. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/9 "2012-08-09T19:32:12Z")
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 Yup, it’s all right there … the naked truth. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/10 "2012-08-09T19:56:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/11 "2012-08-09T20:05:30Z")
time for the reformation tour to make things right. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/12 "2012-08-09T20:37:50Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > The only thing I was thinking when I heard this story was, “Wow!, Randy Travis drives a 14-yr old Pontiac?” :eek: This. ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/13 "2012-08-09T21:14:08Z")
I would guess about 30% of all people driving 14-year old Trans Ams right now are naked. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/14 "2012-08-09T21:22:28Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Aren’t a lot of their songs about all sorts of mayhem? Not sure it is pandering to anything or anyone. You thinking about the Christian singers maybe? > > And all fallen stars do the tearful confession thing. 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. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/15 "2012-08-09T21:34:23Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/16 "2012-08-09T22:07:40Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > All the elements are there to make a pretty good song someday. Think Randy’s already been there… _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 ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/17 "2012-08-10T08:02:07Z")
Didn’t he have a similar incident not that long ago? Ahh, yes. He was arrested for public intoxication back in February. [He was “boozing in front of a Baptist church.”](http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/06/randy-travis-arrested-public-intoxication/) ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/18 "2012-08-10T08:13:40Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > 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),. 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.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/19 "2012-08-10T11:06:22Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > Didn’t he have a similar incident not that long ago? > > Ahh, yes. He was arrested for public intoxication back in February. [He was “boozing in front of a Baptist church.”](http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/06/randy-travis-arrested-public-intoxication/) Good Lord - if there’s ever been a country song title that writes itself… ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971/20 "2012-08-10T11:43:05Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Good Lord - if there’s ever been a country song title that writes itself… Wait a minute… maybe he’s got a massive case of writer’s block and is just working on inspirations! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-randy-travis-is-experiencing-a-downward-spiral-into-drunkeness-and-despair-randy-travis/630971.md?page=2)