Randy Travis is a country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor who, since 1985, has recorded 20 studio albums, charted more than 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Charts, and earned 22 No. 1 hits.

However, Travis’ memoir, “Forever and Ever, Amen” (with Ken Abraham), is much more than an account by Travis of the ordeals and triumphs he experienced during his rise to fame. “Forever And Ever, Amen” is the inspiring story of a man who shows us how the better spirits of our nature can overcome challenges that may seem insurmountable.

On one of his visits to Walter Reed Hospital, Travis heard some of his own music wafting out of one of the soldiers’ hospital rooms. When Travis walked into the room, you can imagine the soldier’s surprise. The soldier had been talking with his girlfriend on the phone when he saw Travis enter.

Still on the phone, he said, “Honey, you aren’t gonna believe who just walked in here! He’s here. Right here, in my hospital room. It’s Randy Travis!” The soldier’s girlfriend must have thought he was joking, because he told her, “No kidding — he’s standing right here! Wait. I’ll give him the phone and you can talk with him.”

“Well, I, er, ah, I don’t know,” Travis stammered, “Mr. Travis … ” he waved the phone toward him.........

© Finger Lakes Times