Randy Travis Announces 2019 Tour Dates
Randy Travis will tour again. The singer and his wife Mary announced they'll join the Music of Randy Travis Tour this fall, with James Dupré filling in for the icon.
Twelve 2019 tour dates were announced for October and November, beginning with an Oct. 16 show in Indianapolis, Ind., and wrapping with a Nov. 2 show in Green Bay, Wisc. Dupré is a country singer and former contestant on The Voice on NBC. He became friendly with Travis and Mary when he starred with Travis in a movie called The Price, released in 2015 but filmed before the 60-year-old suffered a stroke in 2013.
The original Randy Travis Band will join the tour, which is something Travis is particularly excited about. During a few opening remarks at a press conference announcing the tour on Wednesday (Sept. 4), Mary Travis remarked how they all used to call each other "Hoss" while on the road, a name her husband is eager to hear once again. She also reflected on Travis' longing to travel every time they'd see a tour bus rolling down the highway.
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The 12 shows are the first since 2013, when a heart infection led to a debilitating stroke that made singing impossible for Travis. In the years since he's rehabilitated to the point where he can walk short distances on his own, say a few select words and sing a few songs like "Amazing Grace." Hearing his own music was very difficult for several years, but slowly he longed to hear his voice again.
Dupré was chosen due to the nature of their relationship but also because — as Mary says — his voice is similar in tone to Travis'. Among the shows will be an Oct. 28 stop at the Ryman Auditorim in Nashville. The set each night will include Travis' 16 No. 1 hits as well as an appearance from Randy and Mary. VIP ticket holders will also get a chance to hang with him before the show.
Travis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
The Music of Randy Travis 2019 Tour Dates:
Oct. 16 -- Indianapolis, Ind. @ The Murat - On Sale
Oct. 17 -- Evansville, Ind. @ Victory Theatre - On Sale
Oct. 18 -- Macon, Ga. @ Macon Auditorium - Canceled
Oct. 19 -- Gulfport, Miss. @ Island View Casino - On Sale, Sold Out
Oct. 23 -- Augusta, Ga. @ The Bell - Canceled
Oct. 24 -- Spartanburg, S.C. @ Memorial Auditorium - Canceled
Oct. 25 -- Knoxville, Tenn. @ Knoxville Auditorium - Canceled
Oct. 26 -- North Little Rock, Ark. @ Verizon Arena - Canceled
Oct. 28 -- Nashville, Tenn. @ Ryman Auditorium - On Sale
Oct. 29 -- Atlanta, Ga. @ Symphony Hall - Canceled
Nov. 1 -- Minneapolis, Minn. @ Orpheum Theater - On Sale
Nov. 2 -- Green Bay, Wisc. @ Weidner Center - Canceled
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