Biography
Who is Travis Tritt?
Early life and background
James Travis Tritt was born on February 9, 1963, in Marietta, Georgia. He grew up with his parents, James and Gwen Tritt. His interest in music started early through his church's Sunday school choir. He received his first guitar at the age of eight and taught himself how to play it. By the fourth grade, he was performing for his classmates. He later learned more songs from his uncle, Sam Lockhart, and eventually joined his church band.
While attending Sprayberry High School, he began writing his own music. He composed his first song, titled Spend a Little Time, after a breakup. During this time, he also started a bluegrass group with some friends and participated in local music tournaments. Before finding success in music, he held various jobs, including working at a furniture store, serving as a supermarket clerk, and working for an air conditioning company while playing in local clubs.
Building a musical career
Travis Tritt began his professional path with the assistance of Warner Bros. Records executive Danny Davenport. They worked together for several years, creating a demo album titled Proud of the Country. Davenport eventually sent this demo to the Nashville division of Warner Bros., which signed him in 1987. He also secured a talent manager named Ken Kragen to help guide his professional path.
His contract required him to record six songs, with the expectation that one would become a hit to justify a full album. His debut single, Country Club, was released in 1989 and spent 26 weeks on the charts. This track served as the title song for his 1990 debut album. Despite vocal cord issues shortly after the release, his second single, Help Me Hold On, became his first number-one hit in 1990.
Success and major albums
The singer achieved significant commercial success with his second album, It's All About to Change, released in 1991. It became his best-selling work, earning a triple-platinum certification. All four of its singles reached the top five on country music charts. Well-known hits from this period include Anymore, Here's a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares), and the Marty Stuart duet, The Whiskey Ain't Workin'.
In 1992, he released the album T-R-O-U-B-L-E, which featured the single Lord Have Mercy on the Working Man. This album achieved double-platinum status. Throughout his career, he has charted more than forty times on the Hot Country Songs charts. He also released a Christmas album in 1992 titled A Travis Tritt Christmas: Loving Time of the Year. He has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992.
Awards and industry recognition
Travis Tritt has received two Grammy Awards, both for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. The first was in 1992 for The Whiskey Ain't Workin', and the second in 1998 for the track Same Old Train. In addition to his Grammy wins, he has earned four awards from the Country Music Association. Billboard honored him with the Top New Male Artist award in 1990. He also received the Horizon Award from the CMA in 1991.
Birthday and age
Travis Tritt was born on February 9, 1963, which makes Travis 63 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Travis shares the date with 68 other famous people.
Explore more
