Heroes and Friends

Performer: Randy Travis
Artist: B.B. King; Willie Nelson; Merle Haggard; Conway Twitty; Clint Eastwood; Roy Rogers; George Jones; Dolly Parton
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Personnel includes: Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, B.B. King (vocals, guitar); Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Tammy Wynette, Clint Eastwood, Conway Twitty, Roy Rogers (vocals); Chet Atkins (gut-string guitar, background vocals); Mark O'Connor (fiddle); Jerry Douglas (piano); David Hungate (bass); Carlos Vega (drums). As the most prominent "New Traditionalist," Randy Travis had the foresight to see that country music's future required looking into its past. On HEROES & FRIENDS the North Carolina native pays tribute to his influences with a set of duets. Some choices are obvious and fit like a glove (George Jones, Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin), while others are a bit more surprising. Luckily, even B.B. King and Clint Eastwood slide easily into Travis's warm, inviting, musical niche. Throughout, the sound is quintessential Travis: a spare rhythm section, weeping steel, tinkling piano, all providing the perfect bed for the singer's rich vocals.

Q - Included in Q's list of the Fifty Best Albums of 1990. Q (9/95, p.139) - 3 Stars - "...Never a distinct personality in his own right, Travis can still make an ordinary number sound profound and lovely..."

In the 1980s, when mainstream country radio was virtually indistinguishable from middle-of-the-road pop, Randy Travis helped reground country in its stripped-down, three-chord roots. With a sweet, deep voice reminiscent of both Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard, Travis can be as great as his material allows, and has remained one of the most respected and successful singers in country music for decades. He's also turned into a hard-working actor, appearing in numerous film roles.

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