Randy Travis Answers Questions at the Country Music Hall of Fame

Asking Randy Travis which self-written song he’s most proud of is like asking a father to choose his favorite child. In a rare public interview Friday at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater in Nashville, the 49-year-old country icon chose not to play favorites, but did mention how much he enjoyed writing with fellow living legend Alan Jackson. One day, Travis said, he and Jackson sat down to write a song for blues legend B.B. King. After tinkering with a few ideas, “She’s Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)” was born. Of course, Jackson ended up liking the song so much that he recorded it himself.

Travis burst onto the country music scene in 1986, pleasing fans with his earthy baritone and neo-traditional country arrangements. More than 22 years and 16 number one hits later, not much has changed. On Friday, Travis sat down with CMHoF museum editor Michael Gray, who opened the session by asking Travis how he wanted to be remembered.

“Just to be remembered as someone who did what he loved,” said Travis. “I still love everything we do except the riding the bus part… Entertaining the audience, there’s nothing like that.”

Travis exuded a bright, but humble, personality throughout the afternoon. When asked about his impact on newer generations of country singers, he was quick to compliment Carrie Underwood, who included a version of his self-penned hit “I Told You So” on her most recent album, Carnival Ride.

“She did it well. Almost too well, to be honest” said Travis.

The discussion soon shifted towards Travis’ most recent country album, Around the Bend. Travis went on a country hiatus for eight years while he delved into making gospel records.

What took him so long to get back to his country roots?

“I don’t know why it took so long,” said Travis. “You can ask my wife, she’ll tell you I don’t plan ahead too well.”

Travis also said that his country and gospel audiences don’t tend to differ. Heck, one time he had a man yell up a request for “Doctor Jesus” at a country show in a casino.

While the mood of the interview was mostly set around music, there were also questions about Travis’ personal life and hobbies. Travis, who still records demos on a cassette player, is a true throwback, and had a proud smile when he mentioned that he didn’t own a cell phone or use MySpace.

“As far as I’m concerned, ‘my space’ used to be where you were not,” he cracked.

Actually, one of Travis’ friends was poking fun at his lack of technology when he challenged the singer to shoot a cell phone out of the air. Travis, a quick draw enthusiast, and his Colt .45 were up to the challenge–the broken phone is now mounted proudly in Travis’ home under a sign that reads, “Can you hear me now?”

As for his current agenda, Travis said he’ll be continuing to tour and promote Around the Bend, and will also be a part of a Kennedy Center celebration honoring George Jones. Travis hinted that a couple of friends will be joining him on stage at the celebration, including Jackson, Garth Brooks and Hank Williams Jr.

After about an hour and fifteen minutes, the interview wound down, and Travis exited the Ford Theater stage to raucous applause. It was clear that it’s just a matter of time before he has a plaque of his own etched into the rotunda above.