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,” Carrie Underwood paid tribute to country music legend Randy Travis with heartfelt performances of “Three Wooden Crosses” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.
Travis’s rare appearance became the focus in the final moments of the set. As the final notes of the song rang out, Underwood stepped off the stage and into the crowd, offering her microphone to him.
The country crooner delivered the final “Amen,” prompting Underwood’s words, “Randy Travis everybody!” before they shared an embrace. The crowd rose to its feet, with some visibly emotional and dabbing at their eyes.
The response reflected awareness of Travis’s health challenges in recent 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. Viral cardiomyopathy 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 hospitalization marked the start of a major health decline. Within three days of being admitted to the hospital, he experienced a stroke and underwent surgery in Plano, Texas, to relieve 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. 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 in a critical condition after the emergency procedure. According to Webster, the celebrity 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’s condition was still severe, it had begun to stabilize.
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 the difficult decision of 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 choice to continue treatment began a long and challenging journey. 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 due to aphasia, Davis described their bond as something beyond words — calling it a “seventh sense” and noting that they now speak heart to heart.
Their unspoken bond is evident during public moments as well. When Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in March 2016, he was still unable to speak. Davis stepped in on his behalf, expressing his appreciation to those present.
That same event became the setting for one of Travis’s most powerful moments since his stroke. Despite his impaired speech, 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 restricted, 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, and is currently in production. Country artist Clay Walker is set to portray 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 appeared on the game show “The Price Is Right,” with Davis assisting him in his wheelchair. The couple was spotted enjoying the show from the audience and later joined the host and contestants for a group photo.
Maintaining his presence in the music world, Travis shares the stage with those who celebrate 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 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.
