Randy Travis, who all but lost his voice when he suffered a stroke six years ago, surprised fans on Wednesday by announcing he’s going on tour.
The Music of Randy Travis Tour will kick off on Oct. 16 in Indianapolis and stop in 11 more cities by Nov. 2. There are no Canadian dates.
James Dupré will sing Travis’ 16 hits backed by the country star’s band – Steve Hinson, David Johnson, Lancy Dary, Bill Cook, Joe Van Dyle, and Herb Shucher. Travis, 60, is scheduled to appear at each show.
“We’re so honoured that James Dupré will come and serve as a stand-in,” Travis’ wife Mary said at a press conference. “He delivers his music with the same depth and devotion and demeanour as Randy does.”
Dupré, who competed on Season 9 of The Voice, developed a friendship with Travis when they worked together on the 2015 film The Price.
“The world was stripped of Randy’s iconic voice and I think it’s still important for people to go out and hear his music and see him,” Dupré said. “I’m honoured to be the one to be able to be a part of that.”
Travis was left unable to sing or speak and had to walk with the aid of a cane for more than a year after his stroke. In 2016, he managed to sing a few bars of “Amazing Grace” at his induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame.