Randy Travis’ tour vocalist says country star is thriving post-stroke
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James Dupré, the vocalist for Randy Travis’ “More Life” tour, has been honored with a serious job.
In an unique interview with Fox News Digital, the Louisiana native opens up about taking the stage with Travis — who suffered a life-altering stroke in 2013 — and particulars the challenges he is been met with and offers an uplifting replace on the long-lasting country star’s well being.
“Honestly, when we get on the tour bus, [Randy] gets excited,” stated Dupré, who was personally chosen as the principle vocalist by Travis and his wife, Maryin 2019. “He just doesn’t like to sit at home for too long. You know, he shows up every day to the shows and he’s always smiling. He’s always happy to see his band. I’ve never seen him say ‘No’ to anyone who wanted a photo or wanted a signature. I mean, he just loves being out there, and it’s really fun to be on a tour with that kind of positivity.”
James Dupré was personally chosen as the principle vocalist for Randy Travis’ “More Life” tour by the country legend and his spouse, Mary, in 2019. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Dupré, whose voice and expertise first went viral on YouTube in 2008, he has made a reputation for himself all through the years. But his styleDupré admitted, has at all times been closely influenced by Travis — which generally is a problem when making an attempt to keep up his personal id as an artist, whereas additionally honoring Travis’ legacy.
“It’s hard. Randy was one of my heroes growing up. So my style is already heavily influenced by Randy,” he stated. “But, you know, obviously I still have my own sound and my own style, but doing his songs every night, it’s kind of hard to separate my artistry from, trying to sound like Randy, you know what I mean? And I’m not an impersonator, and I’m trying to impersonate Randy, but it is hard sometimes to separate myself from that. So it’s more of a conscious effort, an ongoing conscious effort.”
Travis suffered a stroke after being hospitalized for congestive coronary heart failure tied to viral cardiomyopathy in 2013.
“I could understand what Mary said to me, but I couldn’t respond in anything close to a sentence,” Randy wrote in his 2019 memoir “Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, faith and Braving the Storms of Life.” “All this was extremely frustrating for me; I felt like I was trapped inside the shell of my body.”
Randy Travis and Mary Davis attend the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards at Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on May 16, 2024. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
The stroke impacted his capability to carry out the way in which he was used to, and left him having to relearn fundamental day by day duties.
Despite the hardships, Travis was decided to proceed what he cherished: making music and performing for his followers.
“He loves being with his fans. He loves the energy of the stage,” Mary informed Fox News Digital in 2025. “People always ask if it’s hard for him to hear his music played by someone else. I think for some people it would be, but for Randy, he’s like, No, I’m good with that. Music belongs to all of us.”
Randy Travis and James Dupre carry out through the Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 18, 2021. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
And Dupré sees the affect Travis’ resilience has on his followers.
“I think what’s amazing though, is when he comes out on stage at the beginning of the show, and I come out shortly after, I see people already in tears,” he stated. “Because they’re seeing him and, and obviously for people who have loved him for so long, who haven’t seen him in person in the shape that he’s in now, post stroke, I think it’s extra difficult for people to see him that way. And I remember seeing him for the first time after the stroke, because for me, it was very hard. It’s just, it’s incredible to see all of those reactions.”
WATCH: Singer James Dupre exposes arduous actuality of performing for Randy Travis after stroke
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“I can’t think of a more inspiring thing to be a part of because to see what he’s had to endure, all that, all the stuff that he’s said to endure over the last decade and more, for him to still be so positive and to still want to even go out and see people and want people to see him,” he added. “He doesn’t quit. You know, and that is so motivating and so inspiring to me. And I try to carry that with me every day.”
Randy Travis, Mary Travis and James Dupré go to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., on March 5, 2025. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
In 2023, Randy and Mary spoke with Fox News Digital about their situation forward of to tribute concert, which also raised cash for the Randy Travis Foundation. The basis focuses on stroke and aphasia consciousness and supporting music training in colleges.
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“We need individuals to grasp strokes, stroke rehabilitation, that there is life after stroke“Mary stated on the time. “We did find that all of the rehab that we went through, life is the best rehab. Just get out there. Go do what you used to do. You know, the world may wonder why you’re out here, but just go out there and, you know, dance like nobody’s watching and sing like nobody’s listening and just have a good time. It truly is the best therapy.”
Mary additionally cited her and Randy’s religion for serving to them work by restoration.
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“He’s very faithful,” she stated. “We, you know, we leaned hard on God. It’s been 10 years now since the stroke, and that’s hard to believe. … There’s really no words for it, and there’s not a day that goes by that I just don’t thank God for his grace and his mercy.”
Fox News Digital’s Larry Fink contributed to this put up.
