Randy Travis is unable to sing his songs anymore, but some of the many country stars Travis influenced are being lined up to sing them for him. That tribute concert will take place 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama. Announced today via a press conference held via Zoom video chat, the event is titled “A Heroes & Friends Tribute to Randy Travis – 1 Night, 1 Place, 1 Time.”

Although no artists were announced, organizers said they’re aiming for 20 or so guests for the tribute concert. Organizers say they’ll begin announcing performers in the coming weeks.

Tickets go on sale to the public 10 a.m. Aug. 4 and will start at $35.75 via ticketmaster.com.  A portion of proceeds from “A Heroes & Friends Tribute” will benefit the Randy Travis Foundation, which is focused on stroke and aphasia awareness and supporting music education in schools.

During his career, which exploded during the 1980s, Travis lit up the country charts with some 23 number-one hits. Songs like “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Deeper Than the Holler,” “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” and on and on. His nuanced gospel-tinged croon made him the clear successor to his idol George Jones as his era’s greatest balladeer. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Randy Travis has sold more than 25 million albums in his career.

Unfortunately, after a 2013 stroke and the following aphasia, Travis, now 64, can no longer sing. His mobility and speech have also been significantly impacted. Still his star’s smile and matinee-idol hair remain intact. And country fans, millions and millions of which grew up on Travis’ music, still love him so.

During his touring career, Travis performed at the Von Braun Center in 1988, 1991 and 1992. That Huntsville arena was previously the site of an unforgettable George Jones tribute this spring, featuring stars like Brad Paisley and Wynonna Judd. Country singer Lee Greenwood was feted there in 2021.

At the Jones tribute, Travis made an onstage appearance that night during Justin Moore and Joe Nichols’ performance of “A Few Ole Country Boys,” Travis’ 1990 duet with Jones. Walking arm in arm with wife Mary Travis, a raven-haired beauty, and walking with the assistance of a cane, the country legend was bathed in applause for his life’s work – and his life.

Marty Travis says that experience is, along with Huntsville’s two-hour-drive proximity from Nashville, are why they chose the Von Braun Center for her husband’s tribute. “I tell you the hospitality, the support, the city of Huntsville was like home away from home,” she said. “We were so happy to be there. And the people there they love the traditional country music.”

“A Heroes & Friends Tribute,” helmed by promoter Outback Presents, is the second major concert honoring Travis, following a 2017 event at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Performers that night included Garth Brooks, Alabama, Alison Krauss and Kenny Rogers. Many of the 2017 Travis performers, including Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt and Jamey Johnson, later sang at the 2023 Jones tribute in Huntsville. Of the upcoming Travis tribute, VBC executive director Steve Maples said, “I can’t tell you how excited we are. He’s a hero and an awesome guy.”

During today’s virtual press conference, reps hinted a new album of unheard Randy Travis music from the singer’s vaults has already been mixed for upcoming release. Also, there are talks underway for both a feature film based on the singer’s life and possibly another documentary, following 2020 Travis doc “More Life.” Clearly, as Mary Travis said at one point during today’s presser, October’s tribute concert is “an exclamation point not a period.”

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