Randy Travis surmounted effects of the massive stroke he suffered three years ago to sing a verse of "Amazing Grace" at his Country Music Hall of Fame ceremony in Nashville on Sunday, tearing up Garth Brooks and other fans of the tragedy-struck singer.
The 57-year-old Grammy-winning country star stunned the crowd with a brief rendition of the spiritual song, noted People magazine, as was inducted into the Hall of Fame with fiddler Charlie Daniels and record producer Fred Foster.
"To his left stood his wife, Mary Davis-Travis, and artist Garth Brooks flanked his right side," said Washington Post writer Katie Mettler. "Then just like he had done at his friend's funeral earlier this year, Travis began to sing 'Amazing Grace.' The crowd joined in. Brooks teared up. When Travis finished, the entire crowd rose from their seats and gave him a standing ovation."
Country artists Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Brooks and others gave musical tributes to all three inductees, reported The Associated Press.
"When I got here (Travis') '1982' was smoking up the charts, and you opened the door for a lot of guys and girls … and made it easier for us," said Jackson telling a story of the crowd reaction while opening for Travis, noted People.
"When he sang, man, the women were screaming and fainting. And it was crazy. I loved it. I mean, someone singing real country music and having that affect and selling all those records? It made me so happy."
Davis-Travis talked about her husband's rehabilitation, which has included numerous procedures and surgeries and a viral infection that left him hospitalized for six months, said the AP.
"Randy stared death in the face, but death blinked," Davis-Travis said. "Today God's proof of a miracle stands before you."
Travis's career includes records sales of more than $20 million, seven Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music awards, and 10 American Music Awards, according to his CMT.com biography.
Travis has had 18 No. 1 singles, 29 Top 10 hits, and 10 of his albums are certified gold and 8 are platinum.