Randy Bruce Traywick, who we know better as Randy Travis, was born on May 4, 1959 in Marshville, North Carolina. He's the second of six kids. He released his major label country debut album STORMS OF LIFE in 1986. Some of his best known hits are 'Diggin' Up Bones', 'Forever and Ever, Amen', and 'Forever Together'. In 2000 he released his first gospel album, INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY. In 2002, he put out his second, RISE AND SHINE (Word/Curb). It was produced by Kyle Lehning and executive produced by Barry Landis. It peaked at #1 on the USA Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.
Dan Dugmore plays steel guitar on the country ballad 'Raise Him Up'. It will make you think: "Y'all may have to look at Joseph a couple of thousand years ago/When he held a newborn baby he named Jesus/He said 'He may not be blood of my blood/Still, I'm gonna raise Him up/I'll provide for Him, walk beside of Him/I am strong enough/I will show Him too what a son can do/With a father's love and he will change the world'". Aubrey Haynie plays fiddle on the title cut 'Rise and Shine'. This upbeat country song shares great news: "It's been two thousand years, but the story's still the same/For those who will believe in Him and call upon His Name/The Son's gonna rise and shine/Heal the sick, raise the dead, the Savior of mankind/The day will soon be dawning/Will be the end of time/King of kings, Lord of lords/The Son's gonna rise and shine". Rory Lee and Paul Overstreet wrote 'When Mama Prayed', a song of precious remembrance: "When mama prayed, good things happen/When mama prayed, lives were changed/Not much more than five foot tall/But mountains big and small crumbled all away when mama prayed".
'I'm Ready' has an old country twang to it and finds John Barlow Jarvis on piano. It anticipates eternal life in heaven: "I'm ready to go that distance and God only knows when that might be/But oh, what joy waits up yonder/Once this old world sets me free". Doug Johnson and Kim Williams wrote the memorable story song 'Three Wooden Crosses', on which Steve Gibson plays electric guitar and mandolin. It tells the tale of a farmer, a teacher, a hooker, and a preacher. All of them but the hooker die in a collision between a midnight bus and an eighteen wheeler. The hooker gets saved and her son becomes a preacher.
'That's Jesus' was penned by Randy, Michael A. Curtis, and Pastor John Hagee. Wes Hightower sings backing vocals on this country ballad that testifies: "I was lost and all alone/My heart in need of help/I found eternal life/And lost my fear of death/Because I know the author of my every breath/Oh, that's Jesus, that's Jesus". 'Pray for the Fish' is a fun toe-tapping country song about the baptism of rebel Eddie Lee Vaughn: "Then the preacher said/'People take a moment or two/There's something we need to do/Pray for the fish/They won't know what's comin'/When the sin starts rolling off the likes of him/Lord, be with 'em, they ain't done nothin'/Please won't You leave them just a little bit of room to swim?/Pray for the fish'".
Next up is 'Jerusalem's Cry' written by Randy, Lance Dary, and Pastor Matthew Hagee. This ballad points to the end times: "Soon we'll see His wrath come down/And the Lord descending from the sky/When you hear the trumpets sound/God has answered Jerusalem's cry (2X)/Soon the dead in Christ will rise and join Him in the sky/Even unbelievers will see/God has answered Jerusalem's cry (2X)". 'Keep Your Lure in the Water' is a folksy tune encouraging us to be witnesses for Christ: "Keep your lure in the water/Don't just sit by the shore/There are souls to be caught everywhere in this old world/Go where hearts are plenty/Don't just drift with the tide/Keep your lure in the water, in the waters of life".
'If You Only Knew' is a Rob Mathes/Phil Naish composition. Strings arranged by Bergen White are used on this inspirational song about a father speaking these comforting words to his daughter while on his deathbed: "Fear not, this is my time/And into His presence I'll fly/If you only knew what lies awaiting/If you could only see what I can see/If you could only hear the music playing/The angels singing sweet victory/Oh, if you only knew, if you only knew/How much He loves you". 'Everywhere We Go' is upbeat country that is a rally cry: "We are soldiers of the cross/We've been found to reach the lost/In city streets, down country roads/We take You with us everyday and everywhere we go".
'The Gift' was penned by Phillip Moore and Ray Scott. It reflects on the incarnation: "They wrapped Him up with gentle hands/God hoped the world would understand/Eternal life we shall receive/And all that He asks in return/Is that we just believe". Last up is 'Valley of Pain' which includes these requests of God: "Bathe me in a river of my tears/Whisper hope and truth and courage in my ears/Remind me when I reach the other side/I'll be thankful for every tear that I've cried".
RISE AND SHINE is a wonderful country gospel album showcasing Randy Travis' great baritone vocals. There are seven fast songs and six slower ones. The birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ are central to this album. Christ gives us hope, healing, forgiveness of sins, salvation, and life everlasting. Randy anticipates being in His heavenly home, heaven. He encourages us to be a people of prayer, for it changes lives. He also urges us to reach out to the lost and unsaved. I'm rating this album 100% and recommending it to fans of Alan Jackson and Johnny Cash. For more info visit www.randytravis.com and/or connect with him on social media.