Country Legend Randy Travis Stuns Fans with Surprise New Project – Hear It First Here

Country music icon Randy Travis has unwrapped an early Christmas gift for fans with the surprise release of “Where My Heart Is,” a previously unheard holiday track featuring the North Carolina native’s untouched pre-stroke vocals. Unearthed from sessions archived before his 2013 health crisis, the single arrives at the height of streaming-season playlists and marks Travis’ first non-AI recording to surface since he began experimenting with vocal-reconstruction technology last year. Recorded with longtime producer Kyle Lehning, the warm, orchestral ballad blends classic steel guitar with sleigh-bell accents while Travis delivers lyrics that celebrate gratitude and faith—hallmarks of his multi-platinum career. Although “Where My Heart Is” slots neatly beside holiday staples from his 1989 LP “An Old Time Christmas,” its release also tees up fresh momentum for the singer’s resurgent “More Life Tour,” recently extended through fall 2025 after viral interest in his AI-assisted singles “Where That Came From” and “Horses in Heaven”. Travis’ wife and manager, Mary Travis, says the song “reminds listeners to count their blessings of yesterday and hope for tomorrow,” a message amplified by the couple’s Randy Travis Foundation, which funds stroke-rehabilitation and music-education programs. Early fan reaction on social media has been swift: TikTok clips featuring the chorus have already generated thousands of duet videos and a #WhereMyHeartIs hashtag that continues to climb country-music trend charts. Streaming numbers echo that buzz. Within 48 hours, the cut cracked Spotify’s Top Holiday Country playlist, while Apple Music highlighted it under “New in Country.” Retailers are capitalizing too; vinyl pre-orders for a rumored 2026 compilation of vault recordings spiked after the track’s drop, according to independent distributor reports. Industry watchers note the strategic timing. Holiday releases historically deliver evergreen streams, and Travis’ clean, analog vocal—free of AI processing—offers authenticity amid ongoing debates about machine-generated music. For programmers curating seasonal radio blocks, the single provides a nostalgic alternative to pop-leaning Christmas fare while boosting Travis’ catalog spins. Fans eager to hear the legend sing along in person can catch Travis and special guest vocalist James Dupré as the tour resumes January 11 in Tulsa, with marquee stops at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Fort Worth’s Stockyards. Tickets and VIP meet-and-greet packages, which raise funds for the foundation, are available through RandyTravis.com and major ticketing outlets. “Where My Heart Is” is now streaming on all major platforms and downloadable via Amazon and iTunes. Physical collectors can expect a limited-edition red-vinyl single shipping December 15. For a generation raised on “Forever and Ever, Amen,” the release proves that Randy Travis’ signature baritone—and spirit—still ring in the season with timeless grace.