Randy Travis Sings 'Amazing Grace' at His Hall of Fame Induction
By Robyn Collins
(RADIO.COM) – Country legend Randy Travis stunned crowds Sunday night by singing "Amazing Grace" during his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was a rare public performance for the Grammy-winning singer, since he suffered a life-altering stroke in 2013, reports CBS News.
The North Carolina native was honored for being the first country artist whose debut album Storms of Life went platinum its first year. He is credited with having paved the way for neo-traditional singers like Alan Jackson, Clint Black and Garth Brooks in the 1990s. Brooks was on hand to formally induct the singer.
Mary Davis-Travis, Randy's wife, detailed his struggles after viral infection caused a stroke.
"Randy stared death in the face, but death blinked," Davis-Travis said. "Today God's proof of a miracle stands before you."
Alan Jackson compared Travis to Elvis. "When he sang, the women were screaming and fainting and it was crazy," Jackson said. "I loved it. Someone singing real country music and having that effect and selling all those records, it just made me so happy."
Fiddle player Charlie Daniels and record producer Fred Foster were also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Charlie Daniels, as the Veterans Era inductee, Fred Foster as the non-performer inductee, and Randy Travis as the Modern Era inductee. Artists like Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley honored the three inductees.
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