Randy Travis is thanking his fans for helping him record his first new single in a decade, “Where That Came From.” The 64-year-old singer, whose voice was mostly removed after a 2013 stroke, released the new ballad on Friday and performed at CBS Sunday Morning this weekend in a package that describes how his team used artificial intelligence to create the impactful piece.
“Eleven years ago I never thought I could have a hand in music production of any kind,” Travis said in a statement. “But with the grace of God and the support of family, friends, fellow artists and fans, I am able to create the music I love so much. Working with [longtime producer] Kyle Lehning and Warner Music Nashville were so special and nostalgic again, and I'm so excited to share my new song “Where That Came From” with you today. Big thanks to my great team and the best fans in the world for getting me back in the saddle! I have enjoyed every moment.”
In the CBS interview, Travis' longtime producer Lehning described his initial trepidation about using AI to fill in the track, describing his fear of it sounding like a “living room trick.” Travis suffered a stroke in 2013, after which doctors gave him a 2% chance of survival after discovering that in addition to paralysis, the stroke damaged the area of his brain that controls speech and language, leaving him almost irreparable.
Lehning's painstaking process began by pulling 42 classic Travis tracks from his label's vault, stripping everything down to just the vocal tracks, then adding some additional, new vocals from James Dupre, the singer who handled Travis' vocals. on the country star band's tours in recent years.
Using an artificial intelligence program that took Travis' voice and overlaid it over Dupre's singing, Lehning — who has worked with Travis for four decades — matched the two, telling CBS that being his longtime friend a “vital part” in the creation of the song made a huge difference.
“Being a part of Randy Travis' new music, I mean, it's like … what?,” Dupre told CBS.
“It's Randy Travis. Randy is on the other side of the mic… It's still his voice,” said Cris Lacy, co-chairman/president of Warner Music Nashville in the interview about the Grammy-winning legend being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. “ There's no reason why he can't make music… And to deprive him of that if he still wants to do it, that's unconscionable to me.”
The song was originally recorded, but not released, by Dupre and written by Scotty Emerick and John Scott Sherrill.
“The motivation behind a music recording is specific to each individual artist,” added Lacy. “The genesis of this particular piece came from a visceral desire to restore what was taken away from someone we know and love – Randy Travis. She was inspired by his courage to continue as a vital contributor to the music community. Working with him to make new recordings, the byproduct is a gift that goes straight to our hearts. AI may have been a tool to help us, but it was a team of dedicated and passionate people, including Randy himself, who brought this beautiful song to life.”
The track featured a scene two months ago where Warner Music Nashville gathered a small group of fellow musicians in a studio to debut the new song, with Travis watching along with what was described as a “Cheshire Cat” grin. The reaction that day was described as a mixture of “joy and awe,” plus a few tears from Travis' wife, Mary.
“You forget how much you missed him until you hear it again,” she said of her husband's rich baritone. Fellow country star Carrie Underwood was also on hand and looked bewildered and mesmerized by the magic of the studio. “How… how, how?” asked a grinning Travis as he tried to untangle the vocals with computer help.
Cole Swindell was also on hand and said that listening to the song reminded him of why he became a country singer. “Well, let me hear it, that means a lot,” said Swindell, choking up, adding, “Damn, I'm glad you're singing.” Veteran country star Clay Walker was seen sharing a laugh and a smile with his old friend as they belted out the song.
The CBS package also revealed that the group is working on a second untitled “new” song, though so far that's proven more elusive. “She's a life inspiration,” Mary Travis said. “Speak kindly, love fully, live fully and leave the rest to God.”
Watch the full CBS track and listen to “Where That Came From” below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/randy-travis-thanks-fans-release-ai-assisted-single-where-that-came-from-1235674315/
