In July 2013, the country music world came dangerously close to losing a legend. Randy Travis, who dominated the charts of the late ’80s with No. 1 hits like “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “I Told You So,” had landed in the emergency room with walking pneumonia. Doctors additionally realized that Travis had contracted viral cardiomyopathy, which was shutting down his heart and filling his lungs with fluid. Flouting the 1 percent survival chance he was given, the seven-time Grammy Award winner would go on to make a miraculous recovery, even releasing new music with the help of artificial intelligence. While Randy Travis still struggles with once-simple tasks like playing his guitar, the “Three Wooden Crosses” singer fortunately has friends like Jamey Johnson to help.
Randy Travis Plays Guitar Again—With Help From Jamey Johnson
Randy Travis made a surprise cameo during the Grand Ole Opry’s recent Veterans Day program, where artists like Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan, and Emmylou Harris saluted the legendary James Taylor’s Opry debut. In a backstage clip posted to the “In Color” singer’s social media, Johnson explains to the “Diggin’ Up Bones” crooner why he uses thicker guitar strings.
Videos by American Songwriter
“I wanted to be able to play anybody else’s guitar regardless of what kind of strings they had,” Johnson said. “And the only way I could do that is with the medium gauges on these [which] would build up the world’s greatest calluses.”
Travis’ stroke left him suffering from aphasia, which affected his ability to sing and speak. Fortunately, no words were necessary as Johnson strummed the guitar strings, allowing the 11-time ACM Award winner to form the chords from his wheelchair. Travis’ radiant smile says it all.
“I love this. God bless Randy Travis!!” one Instagram user wrote.
[RELATED: 4 Randy Travis Songs That Will Always Be Classics]
A Sweet Friendship
Jamey Johnson and Randy Travis share a special bond, with Travis attending the 11-time Grammy nominee’s wedding to Brittney Eakins earlier this year. Additionally, Johnson honored his predecessor with a moving performance of “Three Wooden Crosses” at the 2025 ACM Honor Awards. Travis received the ACM Milestone award.
“I thank God for @therandytravis,” Johnson wrote of the performance on social media. “He made sure country music stayed alive and relevant long enough for guys like me to grow up steeped in its rich tradition. He’s been a curator of the culture of country music for as long as I can remember.”
Featured image by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
02/24/16-Boston,MA Boston first responders investigate the scene at Summer and D streets, where one of the drivers involved in a 2 car accident was injured Wednesday morning. Staff photo by Mark Garfinkel (Photo by Mark Garfinkel/Boston Herald/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) -
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images -
Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images -
US musician Sean Lennon (L) and filmmaker Simon Hilton pose in the press room with Best Rock Performance award on behalf of The Beatles for "Now and Then" during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 2, 2025. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE -
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Toby Keith performs onstage during the 2021 iHeartCountry Festival Presented By Capital One at The Frank Erwin Center on October 30, 2021 in Austin, Texas. Editorial Use Only. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) -
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JULY 01: Lionel Richie performs at Little Caesars Arena on July 01, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images) -
CIRCA 1975: Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Pete Townshend of the rock and roll band "The Who" pose for a portrait in circa 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
