An Album/Song A Week: Randy Travis - Storms Of Life

 Randy Travis had been bubbling under the Nashville establishment before he broke big in 1986.  In fact, the first single from Storms of Life tanked when it was first released in 1985, "On The Other Hand". But after another single, "1982" went to #6, it was re-released and became his first #1 hit.  Travis wasn't the first Country act to embrace the new New Traditionalist sound that Nashville began embracing in the early 80's.  Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, the Judds and John Anderson were already there.  But as a vocalist in the style of Merle Haggard and Lefty Frizzell he was definitely its biggest star. 

  

  Storms of Life was the best Country album of the first part of the 80's.  Not a loser in its 10 songs.  So good that one of its standouts, the Travis-penned "Reasons I Cheat", wasn't even released as a single.  It would go on to include another #1 with "Diggin' Up Bones", and another #2 in "No Place Like Home".

  While I always loved Country music and by 1986 owned quite a few, this was the album that put me over the top in really following the genres albums and not just singles. Travis would go on to have a Hall of Fame career.  One of the best stylists Country music ever produced.  Vocally he stood with his idols.