By: Ian Saint
DFW is where Randy Travis nearly lost his life in 2013. Twelve years later, during Mental Health Awareness Month, Travis was back on stage in Arlington — and formally recognized for a cause to save lives, harnessing the horse-human connection.
The Country Music Hall of Famer’s recent single, “Horses in Heaven,” pays homage to equines that have consoled him “since before I was able to walk.” His lifelong camaraderie with horses culminated in becoming one of the first ambassadors of Horses for Mental Health, in 2022 — and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy group chose Texas, the home state of Randy’s beloved horses, to bestow him with their inaugural Horses for Mental Health Champion Award mid-concert.
Travis and his long-time road band, comprising mostly of members that have played with him for decades, are amidst their More Life Tour. Effects of Travis’s 2013 stroke keep him from singing more than the occasional line; but his band performs all 16 of his #1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, plus several other songs, with James Dupré singing in his place. Travis and his wife, Mary, sit on stage throughout the show, to interact with fans and share many stories between songs.
The set includes two new songs, including this year’s “Horses in Heaven,” that utilized artificial intelligence to re-create Travis’s singing voice under his tutelage. During his May 10 show at Arlington Music Hall, Mary acknowledged the controversies of AI in music; but advised that they spent 11 months working on the preceding single, “Where That Came From,” as they were careful to be precise with replicating Randy’s signature velvety baritone voice.
Following a performance of “Horses in Heaven,” Horses for Mental Health entered the stage to present Travis with their inaugural Mental Health Champion Award. Buddy Magazine‘s Ian Saint captured video of the presentation, and an excerpt was posted to the HMH YouTube channel below.
“Along with title sponsor Zoetis Equine, we’re thrilled to honor Randy Travis with the inaugural Horses for Mental Health Champion Award,” says co-founder and Executive Director, Tyler Brklacich. “Randy’s voice and presence have brought vital attention to the healing power of the horse-human connection, and his impact has been truly extraordinary.” (HMH notes that Zoetis Equine has been their title sponsor since 2022.)
“We’re grateful to Randy and Mary Travis, along with Zach Farnum / 117 Entertainment Group, for championing this campaign from the beginning. From telling stories of the horses that have galloped into and positively impacted Randy’s life since childhood, to sharing a special clip of his deep connection to horses from [2020] Randy Travis: More Life documentary, Randy’s reflections about horses are a tribute to the remarkable impact these intuitive creatures can have on the human spirit,” adds Shantel Klinger, HMH Creative Consultant and Booking Producer.
Upon submitting his HMH story in 2022, Travis stated through Mary, “It’s been a pleasure to saddle up with the Seen Through Horses Campaign by Horses for Mental Health and their mission to change lives through horses, as they know my life, my music, [and] my soul would be so different had I not known the love of a horse.” In Arlington, Mary added that Randy immediately turned to his horses for support after finally discharging from his lengthy hospitalization.
The More Life Tour’s next Texas run includes shows in San Angelo, Waco, and San Antonio from October 1-3.
Select tour dates will see Travis and band joined by Ohio-reared indie artist Jacob Tolliver, another HMH Ambassador. Through their mutual publicist, Zach Farnum, Mr. Tolliver stated “I’m beyond honored to join my friend, lifelong horseman, and country music legend Randy Travis not only on his More Life Tour, but also in championing the Seen Through Horses campaign. Horses have a way of healing hearts — and it’s time the world sees that, too.”
In a statement to Buddy, Horses for Mental Health remarks that they are “a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization founded to increase awareness, public engagement, funding, and access to programs that incorporate horses into mental health and personal growth…. Since launching in 2022, we’ve united over 200 organizations across 45 states, delivering life-changing services [via] strategic partnerships, media campaigns, and grassroots support.” Their selection of Randy Travis as their inaugural awardee was buttressed by his support generating statistics such as: over $1 million allocated for HMH charity partners, and 500+ veterans and armed forces members provided services.
For Randy Travis tour dates and tickets, visit https://www.randytravis.com. For more information on Horses for Mental Health, visit https://www.horsesformentalhealth.org.
