From a working-class background in North Carolina to a job as a cook and club singer in Nashville to his "overnight success" with his smash 1986 album Storms of Life--which launched the neotraditional movement in country music--Randy’s first three decades are a true rags-to-riches story.
But in 2009, this seemingly charmed life began a downward spiral. His marriage dissolved, he discovered that his finances had unraveled, and his struggles with anger led to alcohol abuse, public embarrassment, and even police arrest in 2012.
Then, just as he was putting his life back together, Randy suffered devastating viral cardiomyopathy that led to a massive stroke which he was not expected to survive. Yet he not only survived but also learned to walk again and in 2016 accepted his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame by singing the hymn that explains his life today: "Amazing Grace."
Filled with never-before-told stories, Forever and Ever, Amen is a riveting tale of unfathomable success, great joy, deep pain, and redemption that can come only from above.
PAT'S REVIEW
| Listening to his music when he was popular I really never knew anything else about him. I still thought he was married to the woman who had been his manager for all of these years, but they broke up and divorce years back. Travis goes into his childhood and the trouble he caused, and how he was arrested more than once. He also explains how he got into singing and then having the women who was 18 years his senior not only be his manager, but also his wife. She left her husband for Randy. She would much later leave an older Randy for a younger guy. I did have some problems with her being with him when he was 16, 17 and she was 34 or 35, seems like statutory rape if it was a man in his thirties with a girl in her teens. Well just saying. The lady would take advantage of the whole situation and much later when the divorce happened money was missing and so-called friends of his would not answer his calls. That whole part was just frustrating. He goes into the writing of songs and the people either he wrote them with or the person or people that wrote the songs that became his biggest hits. He fusses up to the charges he received for drunk driving, though I still think the police were wrong for not taking him to the hospital with glass in his head. Protect and serve did not seem like it was being forced. He goes into his sickness and his new wife sticking by his side when she could have walked away. What I got out of this book was a man owning up to his faults and saying he done wrong, who hasn’t. He is trying to live his faith and for others, it seemed like they were able to take advantage because he was famous. Overall not a bad book a few places where it dragged but most bio’s do. A good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com |
No comments:
Post a Comment
We ask that when you are leaving a comment that you are remebering that children may be reading this blog, without the knowledge of a consenting adult. We all put our disclaimers on to get into the sites but kids are smart. Please be aware when posting to use safe language and pics. Thanks :)