By Michaela Gordoni
Randy Travis’ wife, Mary, says the country star’s voice is a gift from God, which fans will get to hear in his new Christmas song, “Where My Heart Is.”
“It’s been a while since he’s had a Christmas album,” Mary said. “We didn’t know where we were going to be as far as farther down the road than we ever expected after the stroke 12 and a half years ago. And Christmas is something that’s, well, it’s a sweet time of the year for so many.”
She added, “And to have a new Christmas song, it just, you know, I get in the mood for Christmas by playing Randy Travis’ Christmas music. So this one, I’m really excited about that I get to put this one on and be at home for Christmas this year after being on the road so much. So it’s just time.”
Travis suffered a stroke that altered his life in 2013. At the time, he was hospitalized for congestive heart failure tied to viral cardiomyopathy. He had a blood clot in his heart, which left him with partial paralysis and affected his speech.
“Where My Heart Is” was recorded before the stroke occurred. It’s all about wanting to spend Christmas time with family and hoping that they’ll wait for him to celebrate, Parade reported.
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The couple say it’s a reminder of past blessings and hope for the future.
“You get to go and be where you want to, where your heart is for Christmas,” Mary said. “I think it’s just, it’s a greater appreciation for life, for time, with those that you love.”
“And like I always say, you love the ones that God loans you because one day He’s gonna need them back, and it’s the perfect time at Christmas to hold them tight. They put all the pieces back together that were broken over the year.”
It’s been difficult for the Travis family to not hear Randy’s voice.
“The voice is just so iconic, it’s one of a kind. I know that he’d give anything in the world to be able to sing like that again,” Mary said.
“But the fact that he’s OK with not singing just, to me, just makes him more of a mountain of a man, if you will,” she said. “That he has accepted it for what it is, and he can go back and appreciate the talent that he was given, God-given.”
It’s been healing for the family to hear these songs.
“Not only just to have the country music and whatever music he’s done and the movies he’s done, but the Christmas was always, it’s just warm,” Mary recalled. “It means a lot because of the time of year that it is and ties into your faith, your family, your friends, all of the things…and fans, obviously, Randy’s fans.”
“They’ve waited for him and they’ve been kind to do that, so it is a time when you can slow down enough to catch up,” she added.
Mary’s glad that Randy’s left an incredible legacy behind him.
“Our finite talents are not defined by the infinite fact that we have that music recorded, and it will be there for all of history,” Mary said. “And it’s like everything else in life, we don’t really appreciate it until it’s gone.
“His voice was for sure God given. And I don’t think Randy ever took it for granted because he didn’t take anything for granted that I know of,” she said. “He was full of humility.”
Travis’ new song is available on Spotify, iTunes and other main music streamers.
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