Randy Travis Make Rare Appearance: Receives Huge Applause

Randy Travis Make Rare Appearance: Receives Huge Applause

NASHVILLE – Nearly two years after he suffered a stroke, Randy Travis is back and more beloved than ever.

The country legend, 55, made a rare public appearance at the 2015 Academy of Country Music Awards, where he was honored by fellow crooner Lee Brice.

Country star Lee Brice paid tribute to Travis at the ACMs by performing a verse of the singer’s 1985 hit “Forever and Ever, Amen,” and then surprised the crowd by introducing Travis.

Travis posted a letter to his fans late Sunday after his awards show appearance, thanking fans for their support and offering an update on his condition.

“It was an amazing gift to feel all of the love from you tonight,” he wrote. “It has been a hard fought and miraculous journey since my stroke two years ago, and I have gained a greater understanding of God’s grace and how quickly events can change us.”

“Words can never express my gratitude to those who continue to believe in me, pray for me, and keep me lifted up in thought and deed,” he continued.

“The power of music remains a source of inspiration and healing for me,” he also wrote. “It is my prayer that, with continued healing, one day soon, I will be back on that stage exchanging music with my fans…my friends, who with God’s amazing grace, have brought me this far.”

Last year, Travis made another rare public appearance, this time at a Dolly Parton concert in Oklahoma, looking upbeat as he posed for a photo with the fellow country star.

below is the full letter Randy Travis sent to fans.

Hello, my friends. It was an amazing gift to feel all the love from you in Dallas at the Academy of Country Music Awards. It has been a hard-fought and miraculous journey since my stroke two years ago, and I have gained a greater understanding of God’s grace, and how quickly events can change us.

Words can never express my gratitude to those who continue to believe in me, pray for me and keep me lifted up in thought and deed. The kind cards and heartfelt letters of testimony and encouragement brought me through the darkest of days. Mary read each and every one of them to me, and I felt the love and concern being sent my way; and, I gathered strength from this. None of us are worthy of the immense outpouring of support shown to me, and I consider each of my fans, a friend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The power of music remains a source of inspiration and healing for me. Writing songs was always a passion of mine, and I still have a lot to share with you. It is my prayer that, with continued healing, one day soon, I will be back on that stage exchanging music with my fans … my friends, who with God’s amazing grace, have brought me this far. As I work through

music/speech/occupational/physical therapy, it is my hope that my songs of yesterday continue to touch your life in some way.

I wish you each — good health, a kind word, a song in your heart, and a friend that has your back trough thick and thin.

My gratitude & love, “Forever and Ever, Amen”