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With Help from AI, Country Music Singer Randy Travis Regains His Voice
Updated: May 8
Randy Travis regains his voice with the help of AI after suffering a stroke in 2013. Developers created a proprietary AI model using vocal stems from Travis' career. The song "Where That Came From" showcases Travis' unique vocal style.
Country music legend Randy Travis, known for his timeless hits like "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "I Told You So," has found his voice again, thanks to the power of artificial intelligence (AI). After suffering a stroke in 2013, Travis faced the challenge of relearning basic skills like walking and reading. His condition, called aphasia, limited his ability to speak and prevented him from releasing new music for over a decade. However, with the help of AI, Travis has made a triumphant return to the music scene.
The journey to restore Travis' voice began when Cris Lacy, co-president of Warner Music Nashville, approached Randy and his wife, Mary Travis with an intriguing idea. Lacy proposed using AI to recreate Randy's voice, and the couple eagerly embraced the opportunity. "All I ever wanted since the day of a stroke was to hear that voice again," Mary Travis shared.
To bring this vision to life, developers in London created a proprietary AI model. The model consisted of two versions: one with 12 vocal stems and another with 42 stems collected from Travis' career spanning from 1985 to 2013. The team selected the song "Where That Came From," a soulful acoustic ballad, to showcase Travis' unique vocal style.
Kyle Lehning, Travis' longtime producer, expressed his excitement about the project. "I never even thought about another song," he said. After inputting a demo vocal into the AI models, Lehning was astounded by the results. Within minutes, the AI analysed the input and produced a stunning rendition of Travis' voice. Although some adjustments were made to ensure authenticity, the AI recording captured the essence of Travis' performance.
Mary Travis emphasised the importance of the human element in this project, setting it apart from other uses of AI in music. Witnessing Randy's emotional reaction to hearing his voice again was a beautiful moment for both of them. Lacy echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of restoring a voice that has brought comfort to millions of fans worldwide.
Beyond the personal impact, the team behind Travis' AI-assisted comeback hopes to shed light on the positive potential of AI in the music industry. They aim to set a standard where artists have control over their voice and work, countering the negative headlines surrounding AI's misuse.
As "Where That Came From" marks Randy Travis' return to the music scene, fans eagerly anticipate more original songs in the future. Mary Travis hinted at the possibility, stating, "There may be others. We'll see where this goes." Warner Music, while having other tracks in their arsenal, is committed to being selective and ensuring that each song is worthy of Travis' talent.
Randy Travis regains his voice with the help of AI after suffering a stroke in 2013.
Developers created a proprietary AI model using vocal stems from Travis' career.
The song "Where That Came From" showcases Travis' unique vocal style.
Source: AP NEWS