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Travis Tritt

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Biography

Infobox musical artist | name = Travis Tritt| image =| caption =| image_size =| background = solo_singer| birth_name = James Travis Trittcite web|url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p1848|pure_url=yes|title=Travis Tritt biography|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work= Allmusic |accessdate=22 September 2010| birth_date = Birth date and age|1963|02|09| origin = Marietta, Georgia , U.S.| instrument = Singer|Vocals , guitar , banjo | genre = Country music|Country | occupation = Singer-songwriter
Actor | years_active = 1989ndashpresent| label = Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.
Columbia Records|Columbia
Category 5 Records|Category 5 | associated_acts = Gregg Brown
Dana McVicker
Marty Stuart
Billy Joe Walker, Jr.| website = http://www.travistritt.com/
James Travis Tritt (born February 9, 1963) is an American country music singer from Marietta, Georgia . He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 2000s, he released two albums on Columbia Records and one for the defunct Category 5 Records . Seven of his albums (counting the Greatest Hits) are music recording sales certification|certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); the highest-certified is 1991's '' It's All About to Change '', which is certified triple-platinum. Tritt has also charted more than forty times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including five number ones — " Help Me Hold On ," " Anymore ," " Can I Trust You with My Heart ," " Foolish Pride " and " Best of Intentions " — and fifteen additional top ten singles. Tritt's musical style is defined by mainstream country and Southern rock influences.

He has received two Grammy Award s, both for Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals|Best Country Collaboration with Vocals : in 1992 for " The Whiskey Ain't Workin' ," a duet with Marty Stuart , and again in 1998 for "Same Old Train", a collaboration with Stuart and nine other artists. In addition, he has received four awards from the Country Music Association , and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.

Early life


James Travis Tritt was born in Marietta, Georgia on February 9, 1963 to James and Gwen Tritt.cite book|last1=McCall|first1=Michael|last2=Hoekstra|first2=Dave|last3=Williams|first3=Janet|title=Country Music Stars: The Legends and the New Breed|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=cGjyvjVg5DIC& q=%22Travis+tritt%22+%22gwen%22& dq=%22Travis+tritt%22+%22gwen%22& hl=en& ei=r3KdTM_AFsTMngejr-WDDQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=1& ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA|isbn=156173697X|page=124 He first took interest in singing after his church's Sunday school choir performed " Everything Is Beautiful ."Tritt and Bane, p. 2 He received his first guitar at age eight and taught himself how to play it; in the fourth grade, he performed " Annie's Song " and " King of the Road (song)|King of the Road " for his class, and later got invited to play for other classrooms in his school.Tritt and Bane, p. 3 At age fourteen, his parents bought him another guitar, and he learned more songs from his uncle, Sam Lockhart.Tritt and Bane, p. 4 Later on, Tritt joined his church band, which occasionally performed at other churches nearby.Tritt and Bane, p. 13

Tritt began writing music while he was attending Sprayberry High School ; his first song composition, entitled "Spend a Little Time", was written about a girlfriend whom he had broken up with.Tritt and Bane, p. 17 He performed this song for his friends, one of whom complimented him on his songwriting skills.Tritt and Bane, p. 20 He also founded a bluegrass music|bluegrass group with some of his friends, and won second place in a local tournament for playing " Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys ".Tritt and Bane, pp. 35-36

During his teenage years, Tritt worked at a furniture store, and later as a supermarket clerk. He lived with his mother after she and his father divorced; they re-married each other when he was eighteen.Tritt and Bane, pp. 39-41 He worked at an air conditioning company while playing in clubs, but gave up the air conditioning job at the suggestion of one of his bandmates.Tritt and Bane, p. 46 Tritt's father thought that Tritt would not find success as a musician, while his mother thought that he should perform Christian music instead of country.

Through the assistance of Warner Bros. Records executive Danny Davenport, Tritt began recording demo (music)|demos . The two worked together for the next several years, eventually putting together a demo album called Proud of the Country .Tritt and Bane, p. 64 Davenport sent the demo to Warner Bros. representatives in Los Angeles , who in turn sent the demo to Warner Bros.' Nashville division, which signed Tritt in 1987.cite book|last1=Stambler|first1=Irwin|last2=Stambler|first2=Lyndon|last3=Laudon|first3=Grelon|title=Country music: the encyclopedia|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=d18K8QWcEo8C& pg=PA500& dq=%22travis+tritt%22& hl=en& ei=neGfTJm9DIjUngfnn5DKDQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=3& ved=0CDYQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage& q=%22travis%20tritt%22& f=false|year=1997|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=0312264879 Davenport also helped Tritt find a talent manager , Ken Kragen. At first, Kragen was "not interested in taking an entry-level act," but he decided to sign on as Tritt's manager after Kragen's wife convinced him.Tritt and Bane, p. 102

Musical career


1989–1991: Country Club


Tritt's contract with Warner Bros. was a singles contract, meaning that he was signed to record six songs, and three of them would be released as singles. According to the contract, he would not be signed on for a full album unless one of the three singles became a hit.Tritt and Bane, p. 94 His first single was " Country Club (song)|Country Club ." Recorded in late 1988 and released in September 1989,Tritt and Bane, p. 98 the song spent 26 weeks on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, peaking at number nine.cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2008|pages=427–428|isbn=0-89820-177-2 It was the title track to his 1990 debut album Country Club (album)|Country Club , produced by Gregg Brown. The month of its release, Tritt burst a blood vessel on his vocal cords, and had to take vocal rest for a month. Second single " Help Me Hold On " became his first number one single in 1990. The album's third and fifth singles, " I'm Gonna Be Somebody " and " Drift Off to Dream ," respectively peaked at numbers two and three on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts, and number one on the Canadian RPM (magazine)|RPM country charts;cite web|url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php? brws_s=1& file_num=nlc008388.1316& type=1& interval=24& PHPSESSID=uvsk2ptt6nbkarbs9e98rh1n34|title=RPM Country Tracks for August 25, 1990|work=RPM|accessdate=25 September 2010cite web|url= http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php? brws_s=1& file_num=nlc008388.1526& type=1& interval=24& PHPSESSID=05ij8b9g2celva9nckkrvfs936|title=RPM Country Tracks for May 25, 1991|work=RPM|accessdate=25 September 2010 "I'm Gonna Be Somebody" also went to number one on the U.S. country singles charts published by Radio & Records . "Put Some Drive in Your Country," which was released fourth, peaked at 28 on Hot Country Songs. Country Club was music recording sales certification|certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in July 1991 for shipments of one million copies, and double-platinum in 1996.cite web|url= http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php? table=SEARCH_RESULTS& artist=Travis%20Tritt& format=ALBUM& go=Search& perPage=50|title=Search results for Travis Tritt|work= Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=22 September 2010 In 1990, he won the Top New Male Artist award from Billboard . The Country Music Association (CMA) also nominated him for the Horizon Award (now known as the New Artist Award), which is given to new artists who show have shown the most significant artistic and commercial development from a first or second album.cite web|url= http://www.cmaawards.com/about/overview.aspx|title=About the awards|work=Country Music Association|accessdate=26 September 2010

Brian Mansfield of Allmusic gave the album a positive review, saying that "Put Some Drive in Your Country" paid homage to Tritt's influences, but that the other singles were more radio-friendly.cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r94384|pure_url=yes|title= Country Club review|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 Giving the album a B-minus, Alanna Nash of Entertainment Weekly compared Tritt's music to that of Hank Williams, Jr. and Joe Stampley .cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,316906,00.html|title=We review new music from Travis Tritt, Kris Kristofferson, Alan Jackson, and more|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=16 March 1990|work= Entertainment Weekly |accessdate=23 September 2010

1991–1992: ''It's All About to Change


In 1991, Tritt received a second Horizon Award nomination, which he won that year. He also released his second album, '' It's All About to Change ''. The album went on to become his best-selling, with a triple-platinum certification from the RIAA for shipments of three million copies. All four of its singles reached the top five on the country music charts. " Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares) " and the Marty Stuart duet " The Whiskey Ain't Workin' ," respectively the first and third singles, both reached number two, with the number-one " Anymore " in between. " Nothing Short of Dying " was the fourth single, with a peak at number four on Billboard ; both it and "The Whiskey Ain't Working" went to Number One on Radio & Records . "Bible Belt," another cut from the album (recorded in collaboration with Little Feat ), appeared in the 1992 film My Cousin Vinny (the lyrics for the song, however, were changed for the version played in the movie to match the story line). Although not released as a single, it peaked at number 72 country based on unsolicited airplay and was the b-side to "Nothing Short of Dying." "Bible Belt" was inspired by a youth pastor whom Tritt knew in his childhood.Tritt and Bane, pp. 12-13

Stuart offered "The Whiskey Ain't Workin' Anymore" to Tritt backstage at the CMA awards show, and they recorded it as a duet through the suggestion of Tritt's record producer , Gregg Brown.Tritt and Bane, p. 190 The duet won both artists the next year's Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals . Tritt and Stuart charted a second duet, " This One's Gonna Hurt You (For a Long, Long Time) ," which went to number seven in mid-1992 and appeared on Stuart's album '' This One's Gonna Hurt You . This song won the 1992 CMA award for Vocal Event of the Year.

In June 1992, Tritt received media attention when he criticized Billy Ray Cyrus ' " Achy Breaky Heart " at a Fan Fair interview, saying that he did not think that Cyrus' song made a "statement".cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers? id=lTkpAAAAIBAJ& sjid=LGUFAAAAIBAJ& pg=3077,2956775& dq=travis-tritt+billy-ray-cyrus+statement& hl=en|title=Tritt pans Cyrus tune, video|date=12 June 1992|work=Sun Journal|accessdate=2 December 2010 The following January, Cyrus responded at the American Music Awards by making reference to Tritt's "Here's a Quarter".cite news|url= http://news.google.com/newspapers? id=i9srAAAAIBAJ& sjid=bGQFAAAAIBAJ& pg=1859,2275018& dq=travis-tritt+billy-ray-cyrus& hl=en|title=Cyrus gives Tritt no quarter|date=28 January 1993|work=Kentucky New Era|accessdate=2 December 2010 Tritt later apologized to Cyrus, but said that he defended his opinion on the song.Tritt and Bane, p. 161

1992–1993: T-R-O-U-B-L-E and A Travis Tritt Christmas


Tritt and Stuart began a "No Hats Tour" in 1992.cite news|url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/orlandosentinel/access/78488388.html? dids=78488388:78488388& FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:FT& type=current& date=Oct+09%2C+1992& author=Jim+Abbott+of+The+Sentinel+Staff& pub=Orlando+Sentinel& desc=TRAVIS+TRITT& pqatl=google|title=Travis Tritt|last=Abbott|first=Jim|date=9 October 1992|work= The Orlando Sentinel |accessdate=25 September 2010 In August of that same year, Tritt released the album T-R-O-U-B-L-E . Its first single was " Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man ," a song written by Kostas . This song, which featured backing vocals from Brooks & Dunn , T. Graham Brown , George Jones , Little Texas , Dana McVicker (who also sang backup on Tritt's first two albums), Tanya Tucker and Porter Wagoner , peaked at number four. Its follow-up, " Can I Trust You with My Heart ," became Tritt's third Billboard number one in early 1993. The album's next three singles did not perform as well on the charts: the T-R-O-U-B-L-E (song)|title track (a cover of an Elvis Presley song), peaked at 13, followed by " Looking Out for Number One (Travis Tritt song)|Looking Out for Number One " at number 11 and "Worth Every Mile" at number 30. T-R-O-U-B-L-E became the second album of his career to achieve double-platinum certification. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic thought that T-R-O-U-B-L-E followed too closely the formula of ''It's All About to Change,'' but said that the songs showed Tritt's personality.cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r123596|pure_url=yes|title= T-R-O-U-B-L-E review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 Nash gave the album a similar criticism, but praised the rock influences of "Looking Out for Number One" and the vocals on "Can I Trust You with My Heart."cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,311646,00.html|title= T-R-O-U-B-L-E review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=4 September 1992|work=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=23 September 2010

One month after the release of T-R-O-U-B-L-E , Tritt issued a Christmas album titled A Travis Tritt Christmas: Loving Time of the Year , for which he wrote the title track.cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r123617|pure_url=yes|title= A Travis Tritt Christmas: Loving Time of the Year review|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 He also joined the Grand Ole Opry , a weekly stage show and radio broadcast specializing in country music performances,Tritt and Bane, p. 115 and filled in for Garth Brooks at a performance on the American Music Awards .Tritt and Bane, p. 179 By year's end, Tritt and several other artists appeared on George Jones 's "I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair," which won all artists involved the next year's CMA Vocal Event of the Year award.Whitburn, p. 215

1994–1995: Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof and Greatest Hits


In early 1994, after "Worth Every Mile" fell from the charts, Tritt charted at number 21 with a cover of the Eagles (band)|Eagles ' " Take It Easy ". He recorded this song for the tribute album Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles (released through Warner Bros.' Giant Records (Warner)|Giant Records division), which featured country music artists' renditions of Eagles songs.cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r188406|pure_url=yes|title= Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles |work=Allmusic|accessdate=25 September 2010 When filming the music video for this song, Tritt requested that the band, which was on hiatus at the time, appear in it. This reunion inspired the Eagles' Hell Freezes Over Tour, which began that year.

His fourth album, Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof , was released that May. Its lead-off single, " Foolish Pride ", went to number one, and the fourth single, " Tell Me I Was Dreaming ", reached number two. In between these songs were the title track at number 22 and " Between an Old Memory and Me " (originally recorded by Keith Whitley ) at number 11. The album included two co-writes with Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd , and guest vocals from Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams, Jr. on the cut "Outlaws Like Us".cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r202312|pure_url=yes|title= Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof review|last=Mansfield|first=Brian|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 The album achieved platinum certification in December of that year, and later became his third double-platinum album. Allmusic reviewer Brian Mansfield said that Tritt was "most comfortable with his Southern rock/outlaw mantle" on it, comparing "Foolish Pride" favorably to "Anymore" and the work of Bob Seger . Alanna Nash praised the title track and "Tell Me I Was Dreaming" in her review for Entertainment Weekly , but thought that the other songs were still too similar in sound to his previous works.cite web|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302220,00.html|title= Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof review|last=Nash|first=Alanna|date=23 May 1994|work=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=23 September 2010

1995's Greatest Hits: From the Beginning included most of his singles to that point, as well as two new cuts: the Steve Earle composition " Sometimes She Forgets " and a cover of the pop standard " Only You (And You Alone) ". The former was a top ten hit at number seven, while the latter spent only eight weeks on the country charts and peaked at number 51. Greatest Hits was certified platinum.

1996–1997: The Restless Kind


In April 1996, Tritt and Stuart charted a third duet, " Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best (song)|Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best ," which appeared on Stuart's Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best|album of the same name and peaked at 23 on the country charts. The song won both artists that year's Country Music Association award for Vocal Event, Tritt's third win in this category. The two began a second tour, the Double Trouble Tour, that year.

Tritt charted at number three in mid-1996 with " More Than You'll Ever Know ," the first single from his fifth album, The Restless Kind . The album accounted for one more top ten hit, a cover of Waylon Jennings's " Where Corn Don't Grow ," which Tritt took to number six in late 1996. This song's chart run overlapped with that of "Here's Your Sign (Get the Picture)," a novelty release combining snippets of comedian Bill Engvall 's "Here's Your Sign" routines with a chorus sung by Tritt.cite journal|last=Reece|first=Doug|date=22 March 1997|title=Engvall Follows 'Sign' to His Own Success|journal=Billboard|page=9|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=6g4EAAAAMBAJ& pg=PA9& dq=%22Here%27s+your+sign+get+the+picture%22& hl=en& ei=33iaTP2NPMK7ngfT0Lz1Dw& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=1& ved=0CDMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q=%22Here%27s%20your%20sign%20get%20the%20picture%22& f=false "Here's Your Sign (Get the Picture)" peaked at 29 on the country charts and 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 , accounting for Tritt's first entry on the latter chart. The other singles from The Restless Kind all failed to make Top Ten upon their 1997 release. "She's Going Home with Me" and "Still in Love with You" (previously the respective b-sides to "Where Corn Don't Grow" and "More Than You'll Ever Know") were the third and fifth releases, peaking at 24 and 23 on Hot Country Singles & Tracks. In between was the number eighteen "Helping Me Get Over You," a duet with Lari White .

Unlike his previous albums, all of which were produced by Gregg Brown, Tritt produced The Restless Kind with Don Was .cite web|url= http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp? xid=2807|title= The Restless Kind review|last=Yates|first=Don|work= Country Standard Time |accessdate=23 September 2010 It received positive reviews from Thom Owens of Allmusic, who said that it was the most country-sounding album of his career.cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r239290|pure_url=yes|title= The Restless Kind review|last=Owens|first=Thom|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 Don Yates of Country Standard Time also praised it for having a more "organic" sound than Tritt's other albums.

1998–1999: No More Looking over My Shoulder


In 1998, he and several other artists contributed to Stuart's "Same Old Train," a cut from the collaborative album Tribute to Tradition ; this song charted at number 59 on Hot Country Songs and won Tritt his second Grammy for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.Whitburn, p. 367 He also performed on Frank Wildhorn|Frank Wildhorn's concept album of the musical The Civil War (musical)|The Civil War , singing the song "The Day the Sun Stood Still".cite web|url= http://www.playbill.com/news/article/100347-Gettysburg-Welcomes-Wildhorns-New-Civil-War-Musical-For-the-Glory | title=Gettysburg Welcomes Wildhorn's 'New' Civil War Musical, For the Glory |work= Playbill.com|date= June 15, 2006|accessdate= March 13, 2010|publisher=Playbill By year's end, Tritt also released his final Warner Bros. album, No More Looking over My Shoulder . It was led off by the ballad "If I Lost You," which peaked at number 29 on the country charts and number 86 on the Hot 100. Michael Peterson (singer)|Michael Peterson (who recorded for Warner Bros.' Reprise Records|Reprise label at the time) co-wrote and sang backing vocals on the title track,cite album-notes |title=No More Looking over My Shoulder |artist=Travis Tritt |year=1998 |format=CD insert |publisher=Warner Bros. Records |publisherid=47097 which went to number 38 country in early 1999. The album's third and final single was a cover of Jude Cole 's "Start the Car" (previously the b-side to "If I Lost You"), which peaked at number 52.

Late in 1999, Tritt recorded a cover of Hank Williams 's " Move It On Over (song)|Move It On Over " with George Thorogood for the King of the Hill (soundtrack)|soundtrack to the cartoon King of the Hill .cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r432858|pure_url=yes|title= King of the Hill review|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|work=Allmusic|accessdate=22 September 2010 This cut peaked at number 66 country.

2000–2002: Down the Road I Go


Soon after leaving Warner Bros. Records, Tritt signed to Columbia Records and released the album Down the Road I Go in 2000. He produced the album with Billy Joe Walker, Jr. The album's first release was " Best of Intentions ," his fifth and final number one hit on Billboard . It was also his most successful entry on the Hot 100, where it reached number 27. The next two singles, " It's a Great Day to Be Alive " and " Love of a Woman ," both peaked at number two on the country charts in 2001, followed by " Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde " at number eight. All three songs also crossed over to the Hot 100, respectively reaching peaks of 33, 39 and 55. Tritt wrote or co-wrote seven of the album's songs, including "Best of Intentions," and collaborated with Charlie Daniels on two of them. "It's a Great Day to Be Alive" was originally recorded by Jon Randall , whose version was to have been included on an unreleased album for BNA Records in the late 1990s.cite web|url= http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/randall_jon/bio.jhtml|title=Jon Randall biography|work= CMT |accessdate=27 September 2010

Maria Konicki Dinoia gave the album a positive review on Allmusic, saying that Tritt "hasn't lost his touch."cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r501574|pure_url=yes|title= Down the Road I Go review|last=Dinoia|first=Maria Konicki|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 Country Standard Time also gave a positive review, saying that it showed Tritt's balance of country and rock influences.cite web|url= http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp? xid=2806|title= Down the Road I Go review|last=Oliver|first=Kevin|work=Country Standard Time|accessdate=23 September 2010 An uncredited review in Billboard magazine called "Best of Intentions" a "gorgeous ballad," comparing it favorably to his early Warner Bros. releases.cite journal|date=1 July 2000|title=Single reviews|journal=Billboard|page=20|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=BxAEAAAAMBAJ& pg=PA20& dq=%22Travis+tritt%22& hl=en& ei=w8CaTPq3JIzSngfby9CkDw& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=10& ved=0CFkQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage& q=%22Travis%20tritt%22& f=false

2002–2005: Strong Enough and My Honky Tonk History


In September 2002, Tritt released his second album on Columbia Records, Strong Enough (Travis Tritt album)|Strong Enough . Its first single was "Strong Enough to Be Your Man" (an answer song to Sheryl Crow 's 1993 single " Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow song)|Strong Enough "cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r609508|pure_url=yes|title= Strong Enough review|last=Ruhlmann|first=William|accessdate=23 September 2010) which reached number 13. The only other release was "Country Ain't Country," which peaked at 26 on the country charts. William Ruhlmann gave the album a generally positive review on Allmusic, saying that he considered its sound closer to mainstream country than Tritt's previous albums.

Also in 2002, Tritt performed on an episode of Crossroads (CMT TV series)|Crossroads , a program on Country Music Television which pairs country acts with musicians from other genres for collaborative performances. He performed with Ray Charles .cite web|url= http://new.music.yahoo.com/travis-tritt/news/travis-tritt-to-join-ray-charles-for-cmts-crossroads--12052314|title=Travis Tritt To Join Ray Charles For CMT's 'Crossroads'|date=2 August 2002|work= Yahoo! Music|accessdate=25 September 2010 Tritt contributed guest vocals to Charlie Daniels' 2003 single "Southern Boy", and recorded a cover of Waylon Jennings' "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" to the RCA Records tribute album ''I've Always Been Crazy . Respectively, these songs reached 51 and 50 on the country charts.

Tritt's tenth studio album, My Honky Tonk History , was released in 2004. This album included three charting singles: "The Girl's Gone Wild" at 28, followed by the John Mellencamp duet "What Say You" at number 21 and "I See Me" at number 32. Other songs on the album included a cover of Philip Claypool 's "Circus Leaving Town" and songs written by Gretchen Wilson , Benmont Tench and Delbert McClinton .cite web|url=Allmusic|class=album|id=r704046|pure_url=yes|title= My Honky Tonk History review|last=Jurek|first=Thom|work=Allmusic|accessdate=23 September 2010 Thom Jurek rated this album favorably, saying that it was a "solid, sure-voiced outing"; he also thought that "What Say You" was the best song on it.

2007–2010: The Storm and beyond


Tritt exited Columbia in July 2005, citing creative differences over My Honky Tonk History .cite journal|last=Stark|first=Phyllis|date=7 May 2005|title=Tritt Splits Columbia|journal=Billboard|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=nBQEAAAAMBAJ& pg=PA41& dq=%22travis+tritt%22+%22columbia%22& hl=en& ei=BCr4TM_aCML6lwfqgeGOAg& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=2& ved=0CDIQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage& q=%22travis%20tritt%22%20%22columbia%22& f=false He signed to the independent Category 5 Records in February 2006, and served as the label's flagship artist.cite web|url= http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp? xid=112|title=Travis Tritt is flagship artist for new label|date=6 February 2006|work=Country Standard Time|accessdate=23 September 2010 In March 2007, a concert promoter in the Pittsburgh area sued Tritt, claiming he had committed to play a show, but then backed out and signed to play a competing venue. Tritt's manager denied he had ever signed a contract with the promoter.cite web|url= http://www.nashvillepost.com/news/2007/4/3/country_star_tritt_backed_out_on_show_lawsuit_claims|title=Country star Tritt backed out on show, lawsuit claims|date=3 April 2007| accessdate=22 September 2010|work=NashvillePost.com|publisher=NashvillePost.com Tritt released his first single for Category 5 in May 2007: a cover of the Richard Marx song "You Never Take Me Dancing."cite web|url= http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp? xid=615|title=Travis Tritt releases first single for new label|date=17 May 2007|work=Country Standard Time|accessdate=23 September 2010 It was included on his only album for Category 5, The Storm (Travis Tritt album)|The Storm , which American Idol judge Randy Jackson produced. The album featured a more rhythm and blues influence than Tritt's previous works.cite web|url= http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2007/11/04/2007-11-04_travis_tritt_is_stormin_the_charts.html|title=Travis Tritt is stormin' the charts|date=4 November 2007|work=NY Daily News|accessdate=27 September 2010 "You Never Take Me Dancing" peaked at number 27 on the country charts; a second single, "Something Stronger Than Me," was released in October,cite journal|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=27 October 2007|title=Single review for "Something Stronger Than Me"|journal=Billboard|page=61|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=rw4EAAAAMBAJ& pg=PA61& dq=%22travis+tritt%22+%22something+stronger+than+me%22& hl=en& ei=rHedTNq5KN_mnQf2i-2_DQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=1& ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage& q=%22travis%20tritt%22%20%22something%20stronger%20than%20me%22& f=false but it did not chart.

Category 5 closed in November 2007 after allegations that the label's chief executive officer , Raymond Termini, had illegally used Medicaid funds to finance it.cite web|url= http://new.music.yahoo.com/travis-tritt/news/travis-tritt-sues-record-label--51947704|title=Travis Tritt sues record label|date=11 December 2007|work=Yahoo& #33; Music|accessdate=25 September 2010 A month later, Tritt filed a $10 million lawsuit against Category 5, because the label had failed to pay royalties on the album, and failed to give him creative control on The Storm .cite web |url= http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp? xid=1205& t=Travis_Tritt_sues_record_label |title=Travis Tritt sues record label |accessdate=22 September 2010 |date=11 December 2007 |work=Country Standard Time

In October 2008, Tritt began an 11-date tour with Marty Stuart. On this tour, they performed acoustic renditions of their duets; Tritt also performed five solo shows.cite web|url= http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp? xid=2191|title=Tritt, Stuart reunite for November tour|date=13 October 2008|work=Country Standard Time|accessdate=25 September 2010 Tritt signed a management deal with Parallel Entertainment in December 2010.cite web|url= http://www.musicrow.com/2010/12/travis-tritt-signs-with-parallel-entertainment/|title=Travis Tritt Signs With Parallel Entertainment|last=Skates|first=Sarah|work=Musicrow|accessdate=7 December 2010|date=7 December 2010On 8/20/11 Travis played the ValleyFest Festival in Russellville, Arkansas.


Acting career


Tritt's first acting roles that would lead to feature-film work was a role in the 1993 made-for-television movie, Rio Diablo .Tritt and Bane, p. 195 In 1994 Travis made a special appearance as a bull rider in the movie The Cowboy Way (film)|The Cowboy Way , which starred Woody Harrelson and Kiefer Sutherland .cite news|url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives? p_product=ST& s_site=dfw& p_multi=ST& p_theme=realcities& p_action=search& p_maxdocs=200& p_topdoc=1& p_text_direct-0=0EAF8F84C36DC680& p_field_direct-0=document_id& p_perpage=10& p_sort=YMD_date:D& s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Singer Travis Tritt is country's newest outlaw and keeper of Tall tales|date=8 June 1994|work= Fort Worth Star-Telegram |accessdate=25 September 2010 Two years later, Tritt appeared as himself in Sgt. Bilko (film)|Sgt. Bilko , which starred Steve Martin , Dan Aykroyd and Phil Hartman ;cite news|url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives? p_product=DTNB& s_site=detnews& f_site=detnews& f_sitename=Detroit+News%2C+The+%28MI%29& p_multi=DTNB& p_theme=gannett& p_action=search& p_maxdocs=200& p_topdoc=1& p_text_direct-0=0F7539DE04367913& p_field_direct-0=document_id& p_perpage=10& p_sort=YMD_date:D& s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Country star Travis Tritt heads 'Down the Road'with a stop at the State Fair|date=23 August 2001|work= The Detroit News |accessdate=25 September 2010 Tritt's cover of "Only You (And You Alone)" appeared in the film's soundtrack.cite web|url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sun_sentinel/access/18409201.html? dids=18409201:18409201& FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:FT& type=current& date=Dec+15%2C+1995& author=Tribune+Media+Services& pub=South+Florida+Sun+-+Sentinel& desc=TRITT%27S+GREATEST+HITS+COLLECTION+A+BIG+HIT& pqatl=google|title=Tritt's Greatest Hits collection a big hit|date=15 December 1995|work=Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel|accessdate=25 September 2010 He also made an appearance in the 1997 film Fire Down Below (1997 film)|Fire Down Below , starring Steven Seagal and Kris Kristofferson .cite news|url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sandiego/access/1243645831.html? dids=1243645831:1243645831& FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:FT& type=current& date=Sep+08%2C+1997& author=David+Elliott& pub=The+San+Diego+Union+-+Tribune& desc=Seagal+makes+creeps+cringe+in+new+%60Fire+Down+Below%27& pqatl=google|title=Seagal makes creeps cringe in new `Fire Down Below'|last=Elliott|first=David|date=8 September 1997|work= San Diego Union-Tribune |accessdate=25 September 2010 In September 2010, filming began on a movie called Fishers of Men , a Christian film in which Tritt will star.cite web|url= http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp? S=13146349|title=Movie begins filming in Bainbridge|last=Golden|first=Leilani|date=13 September 2010|work=WALB|accessdate=25 September 2010

Musical styles


Although he had been singing since childhood, Tritt said that he began to put "a little more soul" in his voice after his church band performed at an African-American church. He said that he took interest in how African-American singers put "all these bends and sweeps and curls" in their voices, and began emulating that sound. While performing at these churches, he also took interest in gospel singers such as Andraι Crouch .Tritt and Bane, p. 14 Later on, he began listening to Southern rock acts such as the The Allman Brothers Band through the recommendation of a friend,Tritt and Bane, pp. 29-30 as well as the bluegrass music that his uncle exposed him to.Tritt and Bane, p. 34 Tritt said that he found his songwriting began to develop during the creation of his demo tape, when he had written a song called "Gambler's Blues" that "felt a lot more connected to Southern rock" than his previous writings.Tritt and Bane, p. 63 He cites country, rock and folk music|folk as his influences. Stephen Thomas Erlewine contrasts him with contemporaries Clint Black and Garth Brooks , saying that Tritt was "the only one not to wear a cowboy hat and the only one to dip into bluesy Southern rock. Consequently, he developed a gutsy, outlaw image that distinguished him from the pack." Zell Miller, in the book They Heard Georgia Singing , said that Tritt has an "unerring ability to walk the narrow path between his country heritage and his rock leanings to the acclaim of the devotees of both."cite book|last=Miller|first=Zell|title=They Heard Georgia Singing|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=7kv8EdRRkiQC& pg=PA293& dq=%22travis+tritt%22& hl=en& ei=Ct6fTJTiG8zBnAev8-iyDQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=9& ved=0CFMQ6AEwCA#v=onepage& q=%22travis%20tritt%22& f=false|year=1996|publisher=0865545049|pages=293–294

Regarding his songwriting style and single choices, Tritt said that he writes "strictly from personal experiences" and does not follow a particular formula.Tritt and Bane, pp. 22-23 He described "Here's a Quarter" as "one of the simplest three-chord waltz es I've ever written,"Tritt and Bane, p. 25 and said that label executives were reluctant to release it because they thought that it was a novelty song .Tritt and Bane, p. 136 Also, he was told that "I'm Gonna Be Somebody" would not be a hit because it did not contain any rhymes,Tritt and Bane, p. 23 and fought the release of the song "Country Club" because he did not think that it fit his style.Tritt and Bane, pp. 137-138 He also said that, despite their low peaks, the more rock-influenced "Put Some Drive in Your Country" and "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" helped generate sales for their respective albums moreso than the top ten hits from those albums.Tritt and Bane, p. 138

Personal life


Tritt married his high school sweetheart, Karen Ryon,cite book|last=Ryon|first=Karen|title=Keep the Memories, Bury the Love: My Life with Travis Tritt|url= http://books.google.com/books? id=6LVPT8292hEC& q=%22Travis+tritt%22+%22karen+tritt%22& dq=%22Travis+tritt%22+%22karen+tritt%22& hl=en& ei=bYOeTL-RG8-jngfix5mUDQ& sa=X& oi=book_result& ct=result& resnum=1& ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA|year=1995|publisher=Eggman Publishing|isbn=1886371199|page=136 in September 1983, and moved into an apartment with her. They stayed together for six months, while Tritt worked at an air conditioning company and Karen at a Burger King , and divorced six months later.Tritt and Bane, pp. 41-42 After going to court, Tritt was ordered to pay alimony to Karen for six months.Tritt and Bane, p. 44 When he was 21, he married a woman named Jodi Barnett,cite news|url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives? p_product=AT& p_theme=at& p_action=search& p_maxdocs=200& p_topdoc=1& p_text_direct-0=0EB7D0EBED114FAE& p_field_direct-0=document_id& p_perpage=10& p_sort=YMD_date:D& s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Travis Tritt, performing with T. Graham Brown|date=19 September 1991|work= The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |page=D1|accessdate=25 September 2010 who was 33 at the time.Tritt and Bane, p. 66 He divorced her shortly after signing with Warner Bros. in 1989; the divorce finalized one month before "Country Club" was released. Tritt wrote the song "Here's a Quarter" the night he received his divorce papers.Tritt and Bane, p. 70

He married Theresa Nelson on April 12, 1997.cite web|url= http://countrymusic.about.com/library/blttrittfacts.htm|title=Spotlight on Travis Tritt|date=23 August 2004|work= About.com |accessdate=25 September 2010 They have two sons: Tristan James (born June 16, 1999) and Tarian Nathaniel (born November 25, 2003),cite web|url= http://new.music.yahoo.com/travis-tritt/news/travis-tritt-wife-theresa-have-baby-boy--12176415|title=Travis Tritt, Wife Theresa Have Baby Boy|date=25 November 2003|work=Yahoo& #33; Music|accessdate=25 September 2010 and one daughter, Tyler Reese (born February 18, 1998).

Political views and advocacy


Tritt is a member of the Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party and supported George W. Bush for President in 2000. The two met in 1996 at the Republican National Convention in San Diego , California , where Tritt sang the national anthem. http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1474994/tritt-open-about-political-leanings.jhtml CMT: Tritt Open About Political Leanings Tritt told Insight on the News , that he is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and believes the answer to crime is not gun control but criminal control. "I'm a pro-gun guy. I'm an NRA National Rifle Association member, a life member as a matter of fact. I'm more for the belief of making the punishment tougher for the criminals to start with. I think that sends much more of an incentive for people to not commit crimes of any type than taking away guns. Because you take away guns, and the next thing you know, stabbing murders are going to increase." He adds that he is "definitely pro-death penalty." http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_n15_v13/ai_19340524/? tag=mantle_skin;content Lord have mercy on blue-collar Republicans

Discography


Main|Travis Tritt discography;Studio albums
  • Country Club (album)|Country Club (1990)

  • '' It's All About to Change (1991)

  • T-R-O-U-B-L-E (1992)

  • A Travis Tritt Christmas: Loving Time of the Year (1992)

  • Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof (1994)

  • The Restless Kind (1996)

  • No More Looking over My Shoulder (1998)

  • Down the Road I Go (2000)

  • Strong Enough (Travis Tritt album)|Strong Enough (2002)

  • My Honky Tonk History (2004)

  • The Storm (Travis Tritt album)|The Storm (2007)


  • ; Billboard number-one singles
  • " Help Me Hold On " (1990)

  • " Anymore " (1991)

  • " Can I Trust You with My Heart " (1992ndash1993)

  • " Foolish Pride " (1994)

  • " Best of Intentions " (2000)


  • Awards


    Year Association Categorycite web>title=Travis Tritt Biography
    1990Billboard Top New Male Artistwon
    Country Music Association Horizon Awardnom
    1991won
    1992Vocal Event of the Year
    "This One's Gonna Hurt You" (with Marty Stuart)
    won
    Grammy Awards Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
    "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'" (with Marty Stuart)
    won
    1993Country Music AssociationVocal Event of the Year
    "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair" (with George Jones et al.)
    won
    1996Vocal Event of the Year
    "Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best" (with Marty Stuart)
    won
    1999Grammy AwardsBest Country Collaboration with Vocals
    "Same Old Train" (with Marty Stuart et al.)
    won


    Filmography


    Year Title Role Notes
    1990 Hee Haw Himself One episode: "Episode #22.12"
    1993 Rio Diablo Benjamin Taber TV movie
    1994The Cowboy Way Himself
    1994 Following Her Heart Himself TV movie
    1995Tales from the Crypt Charlie One episode: "Doctor of Horror"
    1995 The Jeff Foxworthy Show Himself One episode: "He's Making a List, Checking It Twice"
    1996 Sgt. Bilko Himself
    1996 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Zachary Brett One episode: "Tin Star"
    1996 A Holiday for Love Sheriff Tom Uhll TV movie
    1997 Fire Down Below Himself
    1998 Blues Brothers 2000 Himself
    1999 The Long Kill Sheriff Dalton TV movie
    1999 Diagnosis Murder Kurt Fallon One episode: "Down Among the Dead Men"
    1999 Touched by an Angel Dan McConnell One episode: "Hearts"
    1999 Arliss Cooter McCoy One episode: "The Cult of Celebrity"
    2002 CMT Crossroads Himself Performed with Ray Charles
    2003 King of the Hill Walt (voice) One episode: "Livin' on Reds, Vitamin C and Propane"
    2004 Yes, Dear Hank One episode: "Greg and Jimmy's Criminals"
    2004 Higglytown Heroes Farmer Hero One episode: "Halloween Heroes"
    2004 Celebrity Poker Showdown Himself Two episodes; 2004-2005
    "Tournament 2, Game 1"
    "Tournament 5, Game 5"
    2005 Blue Collar TV Himself One episode: "Dating"
    2008 Battleground Earth Himself One episode: "Fast Fuel"
    2008 The Girls Next Door Himself One episode: "Kentucky Fried"
    2011 Fishers of Men Eddie Waters post-production


    Notes


    Reflist|2

    References


  • cite book |title=10 Feet Tall and Bulletproof |last=Tritt |first=Travis |coauthors=Michael Bane |year=1994 |publisher= Warner Books |isbn=0-446-51847-6


  • External links


  • http://www.travistritt.com/ The Official Travis Tritt Website


  • Travis Tritt
    Persondata | NAME =Tritt, Travis
    | ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
    | SHORT DESCRIPTION =
    | DATE OF BIRTH =9 February 1963
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    DEFAULTSORT:Tritt, Travis Category:1963 births
    Category:American country singers
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