After enduring numerous health crises that nearly cost him his life, the seven-time Grammy Award winner returned to the spotlight with a raw admission — he called himself “damaged.”
On March 20, 2024, during the “Opry 100: A Live Celebration,” songstress Carrie Underwood honored country music icon Randy Travis with a moving tribute that resonated deeply with audiences. She performed two of his most beloved songs — “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
The night, which was a rare sighting of Travis, became even more emotional in the final moments of her performance — a gesture that touched both the audience and people watching at home.
As the final notes of the song rang out, Underwood stepped off the stage and into the crowd, offering her microphone to Travis. With quiet strength, he delivered the last “Amen,” prompting her joyful proclamation, “Randy Travis everybody!” before the two shared a warm embrace.
The crowd rose to its feet, moved by the powerful display. Many were visibly emotional, with some dabbing at their eyes. Online, fans expressed similar sentiments, swept up in the tenderness of the tribute.
The strong reaction showed how much the moment meant, especially given Travis’s health struggles over the years. He now depends on his wife, Mary Davis, to help him communicate during interviews.
His health problems began on July 7, 2013, when he was taken to a Dallas hospital due to complications from a viral heart infection. At the time, representatives shared that he had developed viral cardiomyopathy — a condition caused by an infection in the heart muscle.
According to Dr. Paul Thompson, chief of cardiology at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut, the illness is most often linked to the Coxsackie B virus. His hospitalization marked the beginning of a serious health battle. Viral cardiomyopathy, the condition he faced, often brings symptoms like fever, sore throat, stomach issues, and chest pain.
In severe cases, it can damage the heart or cause it to beat abnormally. Though many people with the virus have mild or no symptoms, it can lead to lasting harm or even death in others.
According to Dr. Thompson, the illness is more common among young adults, including those in close living spaces like military barracks, and is known to cause sudden death during physical activity.
Travis’s condition quickly took a dangerous turn. Within three days of being admitted to the hospital, he experienced a stroke and was moved to a medical center in Plano, Texas, where doctors performed surgery to reduce pressure on his brain.
According to a statement from his representative, Kirt Webster, the stroke was a result of complications tied to congestive heart failure. He was listed in critical condition, with family and close friends by his side at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. As the medical team worked to stabilize him, more details about his condition began to emerge.
Although Webster did not reveal the type of stroke Travis, then 54, had experienced, the update came shortly after doctors shared that he had been responding to treatment three days into his hospital stay for a heart issue.
Following the initial statement, another update was shared through the Baylor Health Care System’s website. It confirmed that Travis had made it through the operation but remained in critical condition.
In the days that followed, his condition showed little change. On July 13, 2013, Travis was still listed as critical after the emergency procedure. According to his publicist Webster, he had been heavily sedated since the night of July 10 and was resting comfortably.
As the week progressed, there were signs of cautious progress. By July 16, doctors reported that while Travis was still in critical condition, his status had stabilized.
They continued to investigate the cause of his sudden decline but were hopeful he could recover within a few months with intensive physical therapy.
Doctors later identified the condition as idiopathic cardiomyopathy — a weakening of the heart muscle due to scarring. Dr. Michael Mack noted that Travis also has a family history of the illness, which made his case more complex.
Regarding his stroke, doctors noted he had responded well to surgery, with brain scans showing reduced swelling. He was awake, aware of his surroundings, interacting with loved ones, and starting early physical therapy. Plans were in place for him to stay hospitalized for another two to three weeks before being moved to a different care facility.
After several weeks of close monitoring and care, Travis reached an important step in his recovery. In late July 2013, he was discharged from Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital in Plano, Texas, and transferred to a physical therapy center.
His fiancée at the time, Davis, thanked supporters for their ongoing prayers and encouragement as he continued his recovery journey. During those uncertain days, she held on to hope while the singer-songwriter lay in a coma. With doctors giving him less than a one percent chance of survival, she faced a heartbreaking decision about whether to keep him on life support.
While sitting beside him, Davis recalled in an interview, “Even in his state, his semi-coma state, he squeezed my hand.” As she watched tears fall from his eyes, one after another, Davis returned to the doctors and said, “We’re fighting this.”
Her decision to keep fighting marked the beginning of a long and difficult road. Travis remained hospitalized for nearly six months, relearning basic movements like walking and continuing to struggle with speech.
In March 2015, two years after the stroke, he and Davis were married in a deeply emotional ceremony. According to the Cooke County clerk’s office in Texas, the couple, with Travis then 55, were wed by Pastor Tommy Nelson of Denton.
Their marriage followed years of friendship that eventually turned into a lasting partnership. Travis and Davis had known each other for 30 years before becoming a couple. Davis, who grew up in Plano, Texas, studied Business Marketing at Baylor University and graduated in 1981.
She played a major role in his recovery, staying close during their time at the couple’s ranch in Tioga. With verbal communication limited, Davis described their connection as something deeper — what she called a “seventh sense,” explaining that they now spoke heart to heart.
When Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in March 2016, he was still unable to speak. Davis stood in for him, sharing his gratitude with those in attendance.
That same event became the setting for one of Travis’s most powerful moments since his stroke. Despite his limited speech due to aphasia, he surprised the audience with a heartfelt version of “Amazing Grace.”
According to Davis, a young woman named Tracy, who holds a music degree, taught him the song from the ground up during his speech and occupational therapy.
Though his ability to perform remains limited, Travis’s voice continues to reach fans through past recordings. In 2020, a previously unreleased track titled “Fool’s Love Affair” was brought to light.
Originally recorded in 1984, the demo quickly gained over one million streams. The song showcased the unique tone The Paris Review once described as a “deep nasal whine, a mix of range and grog and woebegone.” Interest in Travis’s earlier recordings remains strong, as fans continue to celebrate the voice that shaped a generation of country music.
In 2017, he stood beside his wife Mary during a Nashville tribute where stars like Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, and Kenny Rogers performed his greatest hits. Chris Young, who sang “This Is Me,” said Travis meant “a whole lot to a lot of singers.”
Despite the honor, Travis summed up his feelings with one word — “damaged.” Though he described himself as broken, the 65-year-old’s impact on country music spans decades.
Beginning in the mid-1980s, he recorded 16 number one hits, including “Forever and Ever, Amen.” His career, marked by commercial success and serious health challenges, is now being adapted into a feature film.
Titled “Forever and Ever, Amen,” the theatrical release shares its name with Travis’s well-known song and 2020 memoir. The project is currently in production. Country artist Clay Walker will play the legendary singer in the film. Travis’s story continues beyond music, as he remains engaged with fans and the public.
In February 2024, he attended “The Price Is Right,” with Davis assisting him in his wheelchair. The couple was spotted enjoying the show from the audience before joining the host and contestants for a group photo.
Travis continues to stay connected to his music, sharing the stage with those who honor his legacy. On July 26, 2024, he appeared at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, alongside his original band and guest vocalist James Dupre. While Dupre performed Travis’s songs, he was on stage cheering him on.
Travis remains active in public events, celebrating milestones in his career. In early March 2025, he took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry as part of the “Opry 100” celebration. The event honored his contributions to country music and included a special announcement shared live from the iconic venue.
He later announced “The More Life Tour,” featuring over 30 shows nationwide. The tour includes his original band and guest vocalist James Dupre. Describing the event, a statement from his Instagram page reads, “There’s no gift greater than More Life.”
Randy Travis’s journey — from chart-topping success to overcoming immense health challenges — continues to inspire fans and fellow artists alike.
Through public appearances and new projects, he remains a celebrated figure in country music, honoring his legacy while connecting with audiences in meaningful ways.
