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Randy Travis: Career in pictures

Randy Travis found success after tough beginnings. Travis was turned away by every major record label in Nashville (even Warner Bros., his eventual employer, rejected him twice), but his debut album, "Storms of Life," sold more than 4 million units. Travis' second Warner Bros. album, "Always and Forever," and a few hit songs including "Forever and Ever, Amen," catapulted him to the forefront of the country music scene. Here, he's at the 22nd Country Music Awards. He won for top male vocalist, album of the year, song of the year and single of the year.

Randy Travis found success after tough beginnings. Travis was turned away by every major record label in Nashville (even Warner Bros., his eventual employer, rejected him twice), but his debut album, “Storms of Life,” sold more than 4 million units. Travis’ second Warner Bros. album, “Always and Forever,” and a few hit songs including “Forever and Ever, Amen,” catapulted him to the forefront of the country music scene. Here, he’s at the 22nd Country Music Awards. He won for top male vocalist, album of the year, song of the year and single of the year.  (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

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With 21 studio albums, country singer-songwriter Randy Travis has carved a lucrative career that has leaned toward Hollywood’s big screens but always found its way back to concert stages. Here’s a look at how Travis grew from country music aficionado to one of the genre’s leaders.

Randy Travis | 1988

Randy Travis’ early success continued, and he won the Grammy for male country vocal performance two years in a row in ’88 and ’89. Here at the American Music Awards, the country crooner clutches his honors for favorite country male vocalist, favorite country single, favorite country album and favorite country video.  (Theodora Litsios Hunt / Los Angeles Times)

Randy Travis | 2004

In 2004, Travis was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here he is pictured with his wife Elizabeth Hatcher at the 46th Grammy Awards show. The couple divorced in 2010, after 19 years of marriage, and Hatcher continued as his manager.  (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

Randy Travis | 2008

The 2008 album release of “Around the Bend” marked Travis’ first secular country album of the decade. The album earned the prolific singer a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Assn.  (Bill Waugh / Associated Press)

Randy Travis | 2013

Randy Travis, now 54, was hospitalized in critical condition Sunday with a disease that weakens and enlarges the heart. In this photo, Travis performs at the 2013 CMA Music Festival in early June.  (John Davisson / Invision / Associated Press)

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