Randy Travis Goes Under the ‘Influence’ to Salute His Heroes

He’s one of modern country music’s most influential vocal stylists, but Randy Travis continues to release music that explores the artists who have imprinted his musical legacy throughout the past three decades. Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am, to be released August 19th, like its predecessor released last year, pays homage to such singers as Hank Snow (“I’m Moving On”), Vern Gosdin (“Set ‘Em Up Joe), Merle Haggard (“Are the Good Times Really Over?”), and Waylon Jennings (“Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line”). (See the full track listing below.)

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“We had such a great time putting together Influence Vol. 1, but there were still so many musical heroes of yesteryear that I learned from and wanted to honor,” Travis says. “We had no choice but to release a second volume. The ‘Influence’ that the older, great ones had on me, and the ‘Influence’ that I may, somehow, have on the ones that come along after me, is God’s way of allowing us to pay it forward. It is my prayer answered – and, His will done – it is what makes me ‘the man I am.'”

The album is currently available for pre-order at iTunes, and fans who do so will be granted instant access to Travis’ Marty Robbins cover, “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me.” Two more songs will be available each week following the pre-order, including “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line” on July 29th and “That’s the Way Love Goes” on August 5th.

The full album will be available to download online August 12th, an entire week before the official release date.

The 55-year-old singer continues to recover from a stroke suffered in 2013.

Randy Travis, Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am track list:

“I’m Moving On”

“Set ‘Em Up Joe”

“Are the Good Times Really Over?”

“Nearly Lose Your Mind”

“There I’ve Said It Again”

“That’s the Way Love Goes”

“Sunday Morning Coming Down”

“Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me”

“Mind Your Own Business”

“Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line”

“For the Good Times”

“California Blues”

“Tonight I’m Playing Possum” (Solo Version)