Forever and Ever, Amen
A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life
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4.5 • 10 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A riveting tale of
unfathomable successgreat joydeep pain, and redemption that can come only from above.
From a working-class background in North Carolina to a job as a cook and club singer in Nashville to his "overnight success" with his smash 1986 album Storms of Life--which launched the neotraditional movement in country music--Randy's first three decades are a true rags-to-riches story. But in 2009, this seemingly charmed life began a downward spiral. His marriage dissolved, he discovered that his finances had unraveled, and his struggles with anger led to alcohol abuse, public embarrassment, and even police arrest in 2012.
Then, just as he was putting his life back together, Randy suffered a devastating viral cardiomyopathy that led to a massive stroke which he was not expected to survive. Yet he not only survived but also learned to walk again and, in 2016, accepted his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame by singing the hymn that explains his life today: "Amazing Grace."
Filled with never-before-told stories, Forever and Ever, Amen is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at dizzying success and the miraculous road to restoration.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Travis, country music Hall of Fame inductee, candidly traces his ascent to the heights of country music fame, his alcohol abuse, and his brush with death after a stroke in this down-to-earth debut. After winning a talent show in his native North Carolina in 1975, Travis headed to Nashville with Lib Hatcher, a club owner who recognized his talent, took him under her wing, and later became his wife and manager. Travis played around Nahsville and was discovered by country star Little Jimmy Dickens, who invited him to sing with him at the Grand Ole Opry. After a few lean years, Travis broke through with the 1986 album Storms of Life, and he quickly became a country music superstar. Starting in 2010, Travis suffered a series of personal setbacks, including a high-profile, contentious divorce; the revelation of poor financial management under Lib's watch; a DUI arrest in 2012; and a stroke that almost killed him. After his stroke, Travis could no longer perform, but he writes of how his love of music stayed strong, and how he emerged with a renewed faith in God and love for others: "More than ever, I know my life is a gift. My future plans are simple. I'm going to love God forever. I'm going to love my friends and family forever." Humble and inspiring, Travis tells a powerful story of his struggles and successes in this entertaining memoir.
