Randy Travis is making waves with his brand-new single, “Where That Came From.” The song marks Travis’ first return to making new music since his 2013 stroke, which took away his ability to sing. Although he did perform “Amazing Grace” at his 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame induction, 11 years later Travis still has trouble speaking clearly, due to aphasia, a result of the stroke that makes communicating verbally a challenge. The devastating impact meant for many years the end of Travis’ legendary singing career.
Fortunately, thanks to Travis’ wife, Mary, Warner Music’s co-president Cris Lacy, and his longtime producer, Kyle Lehning, there is an exciting new chapter for Travis with new music, using the help of the often-criticized technology of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Together they used song samples from Travis’ lengthy career, along with singer James Dupre, to create the brand-new single for Travis.
Just because Travis has a physical impairment that impedes his ability to sing, at least for now, Lacy insists that there is no reason that he should not be able to still make music.
“It’s Randy Travis,” Lacy insists to CBS News. “Randy’s on the other side of the microphone. It’s still his vocal. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be able to make music, and to deprive him of that, if he still wants to do that, that’s unconscionable to me.”
It was Lacy who had the initial idea, and reached out to the singer and Mary, one they were immediately in favor of, especially Travis, who was eager to make new music again.
“Well, we were all over that, so we were so excited,” Mary told the Associated Press.
AI has, rightfully, been criticized for the way it can imitate art without a person involved in the process. But Lacy wondered if AI had to be all bad, or if there was perhaps another option.
“We started with this concept of, what would AI for good look like for us?” Lacy recalls. “And the first thing that came to mind was, ‘We would give Randy Travis his voice back.'”
For Lehning, who has been in the studio with Travis since Travis’ debut 1986 Storms of Life album, the difference between “Where That Came From” and other less-ethical forms of AI is Travis.
“Him being here and him being able to be a vital part of the decision-making process makes all the difference to me,” Lehning explains.
Except for maybe Travis, no one is as excited for this new musical chapter than Mary, who is thrilled to see her husband in his element once again.
“Randy, I remember watching him when he first heard the song after it was completed. It was beautiful because at first, he was surprised, and then he was very pensive, and he was listening and studying,” she recalls. “And then he put his head down and his eyes were a little watery. I think he went through every emotion there was, in those three minutes of just hearing his voice again.”
There is already another song in the works, but Mary is much more concerned about the lessons in the present than what may happen in the future.
“It’s a life inspiration,” Mary says. “Speak kindly, love fully, live completely, and leave the rest to God.”
When “Where That Came From” was released, Travis said it was more than a dream come true for him, who thought his days of making music might be over, for good.
“Eleven years ago I never thought I would be able to have a hand in music production of any kind, but by God’s grace and the support of family, friends, fellow artists, and fans, I’m able to create the music I so dearly love,” Travis wrote on social media. “Working with Kyle Lehning and Warner Music Nashville again has been so special and nostalgic, and I’m so excited to share my new song ‘Where That Came From’ with you today. Many thanks to my wonderful team and the best fans in the world for putting me back in the saddle again! I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
Download or stream “Where That Came From,” and find all of Travis’ music at RandyTravis.com.