Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks Tribute Randy Travis at 2019 ASCAP Awards
Randy Travis was awarded the ASCAP Founders Award on Monday night (Nov. 11) during the 57th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. The living legend was honored and serenaded by Garth Brooks and Carrie Underwood during the event.
Underwood performed Travis' classic "Promises" before a two-gun salute in the country icon's honor. The salute was followed by a stirring performance of "Forever and Ever, Amen," sung by Brooks. The pair, along with ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, then presented the Founders Award to Travis.
“I was lucky enough to get to say this at your Hall of Fame induction, and I’ll say it again tonight,” Brooks told the audience before inviting Travis to the stage, according to Variety. "I was a kid of 18, hanging onto George Strait. He got a little help from Ricky Skaggs. Then this thing called the Urban Cowboy came out, and country music started going a little bit more pop. And I swear to you, it is 100 percent my belief, this man saved country music singlehandedly and brought it back to traditional country music.
"I’ve gotta tell you," Brooks added, "I would not be standing here if it were not for Randy Travis."
"Your music became a symphony to the lives of millions," Mary Travis told her husband onstage. "The songs that you left us before your stroke six and a half years ago will remain the soundtrack of our lives 'Forever and Ever, Amen.'"
Other notable honors handed out during the 2019 ASCAP Country Music Awards included the Global Impact Award, which was presented to songwriter Hillary Lindsey, and the Vanguard Award, given to Brothers Osborne.
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