Thursday, April 9, 2020

Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis with Ken Abraham

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-


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 a 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.

My thoughts-

When I think of Randy Travis I think of my childhood. Whether my older brother and I were listening to the radio at home or if we were spending the summer at our aunt's house in Houston listening to the radio with her, Randy Travis was a big part of our childhood. We loved all of his songs. He doesn't live to far from where I do in north Texas and I knew he had a big rough patch before his stroke, and an interesting story before he became famous and I wanted to hear about it from his own mouth, so I appreciate that he wrote this book, not only to give us a glimpse at his rise to stardom, but the testimony of a broken man giving his life to Christ.  This was a great read for me right before Easter. I can't believe all of the things that Randy Travis has had to overcome in his life, but I am glad he did. He seems to be in a good place now. I hope it stays that way forever and ever, amen. 

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