History of Travis Tritt in Timeline
Travis Tritt is an American country music artist known for his blend of country and Southern rock. He rose to fame in the 1990s with hits like "Help Me Hold On" and "Anymore," achieving significant commercial success with multiple platinum-selling albums. Signed to Warner Bros. and later Columbia Records, Tritt has remained a prominent figure in country music, charting over 40 songs and consistently incorporating his signature Southern rock sound.
February 9, 1963: Birth of Travis Tritt
Travis Tritt was born on February 9, 1963.
September 1982: Marriage to Karen Ryon
In September 1982, Travis Tritt married his high school sweetheart, Karen Ryon. The marriage lasted for two years before they divorced, marking a significant personal milestone in Tritt's early life.
1987: Signing with Warner Bros. Records
In 1987, Travis Tritt was signed by Warner Bros. Records after they heard a demo album he had created.
1988: Recording of Debut Single
Travis Tritt recorded his debut single, "Country Club" in late 1988.
August 7, 1989: Debut Single "Country Club" Released
Travis Tritt's debut single, "Country Club," was released on August 7, 1989.
1989: Divorce from Jodi Barnett
In 1989, Travis Tritt divorced his second wife, Jodi Barnett, shortly after signing with Warner Bros. Records. This personal event coincided with a key moment in his career as he prepared to release his debut single 'Country Club'.
1989: Travis Tritt Signs with Warner Bros. Records
In 1989, Travis Tritt signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, marking the beginning of his professional music career.
1990: Vocal Cord Issue and Release of Debut Album
In 1990, Travis Tritt faced a setback due to a burst blood vessel on his vocal cords. Despite this, he released his debut album, "Country Club."
July 1991: "Country Club" Achieves Platinum Certification
In July 1991, Travis Tritt's debut album, "Country Club," was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
1991: Release of "It's All About to Change" and Second Horizon Award Nomination
Travis Tritt released his second album, "It's All About to Change," in 1991 and received his second consecutive nomination for the Country Music Association's Horizon Award.
1991: Release of "It's All About to Change" Album
Travis Tritt released his second studio album, "It's All About to Change," in 1991, which went on to become his best-selling album and a triple-platinum success.
June 1992: Public Criticism of Billy Ray Cyrus
In June 1992, Travis Tritt publicly criticized Billy Ray Cyrus's hit song "Achy Breaky Heart," leading to a public disagreement between the two artists.
1992: First Grammy Award Win
Travis Tritt won his first Grammy Award in 1992 for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for the song "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'," a duet with Marty Stuart.
1992: Appearance in "My Cousin Vinny"
In 1992, Travis Tritt's song "Bible Belt" was featured in the film "My Cousin Vinny."
1992: "No Hats Tour" and Release of "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" Album
Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart embarked on their "No Hats Tour" in 1992. In August of the same year, Tritt released his album "T-R-O-U-B-L-E."
1992: Grammy Award and CMA Award Win
In 1992, Travis Tritt's duet with Marty Stuart, "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'," won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. They also charted with another duet, "This One's Gonna Hurt You (For a Long, Long Time)," which won the CMA Award for Vocal Event of the Year.
1993: First Acting Role in 'Rio Diablo'
In 1993, Travis Tritt took on his first acting role alongside Kenny Rogers in the made-for-television movie 'Rio Diablo'. This marked the beginning of Tritt's ventures into acting, expanding his career beyond music.
1993: Chart Success of "Can I Trust You with My Heart"
In early 1993, Travis Tritt achieved his third Billboard number one single with "Can I Trust You with My Heart."
1994: Cover of "Take It Easy" and Eagles Reunion
In early 1994, Travis Tritt's cover of the Eagles' "Take It Easy" reached number 21 on the charts. His request to have the Eagles appear in the music video for this song contributed to their reunion after a 13-year hiatus.
1994: Release of "Strong Enough"
Sheryl Crow released the song "Strong Enough" in 1994.
1995: Release of Greatest Hits: From the Beginning
In 1995, Travis Tritt released the album "Greatest Hits: From the Beginning", which featured most of his singles up to that point. The album also included two new tracks, "Sometimes She Forgets" and a cover of "Only You (And You Alone)".
April 1996: Release of "Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best" and Double Trouble Tour
In April 1996, Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart released their third duet, "Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best". The song was featured on Stuart's album of the same name. The duo also embarked on their second tour together, the Double Trouble Tour, that year.
1996: Performance at Republican National Convention
In 1996, Travis Tritt performed the national anthem at the Republican National Convention in San Diego, California. This event highlighted his political affiliations and ability to perform in high-profile settings.
1996: Last Medal for "Country Club" Album
The "Country Club" album received its last medal in 1996.
1996: Release of "More Than You'll Ever Know" and "Where Corn Don't Grow"
Travis Tritt released "More Than You'll Ever Know", the lead single from his fifth album, "The Restless Kind", in 1996. The album also produced another top ten hit with a cover of Waylon Jennings's "Where Corn Don't Grow" later that year.
April 12, 1997: Marriage to Theresa Nelson
On April 12, 1997, Travis Tritt married Theresa Nelson. Together, they have one daughter and two sons, marking a significant personal milestone in Tritt's life.
1997: Release of multiple singles from "The Restless Kind"
In 1997, Travis Tritt released several singles from his album "The Restless Kind", including "She's Going Home with Me", "Still in Love with You", and "Helping Me Get Over You", a duet with Lari White.
1998: Collaborations, "No More Looking Over My Shoulder" Release, and Grammy Win
Travis Tritt collaborated with other artists on various projects in 1998, including Marty Stuart's "Same Old Train" and Frank Wildhorn's concept album "The Civil War". He also released his final Warner Bros. album, "No More Looking Over My Shoulder". Notably, "Same Old Train" earned Tritt his second Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.
1998: Second Grammy Award Win
Travis Tritt won his second Grammy Award in 1998, again for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, this time for the song "Same Old Train," a collaboration with Marty Stuart and nine other artists.
1999: Release of "If I Lost You" and "Start the Car"
In 1999, Travis Tritt released the singles "If I Lost You" and "Start the Car" from his album "No More Looking Over My Shoulder".
1999: Cover of "Move It On Over" for "King of the Hill"
In late 1999, Travis Tritt collaborated with George Thorogood on a cover of Hank Williams's "Move It On Over" for the soundtrack of the animated sitcom "King of the Hill".
2000: Signing with Columbia Records and Release of "Down the Road I Go"
After leaving Warner Bros. Records, Travis Tritt signed with Columbia Records and released the album "Down the Road I Go" in 2000.
2000: Support for George W. Bush
In 2000, Travis Tritt publicly supported George W. Bush for president, reflecting his political views and aligning himself with the Republican Party. This involvement showcased Tritt's willingness to engage in political discourse.
2001: Release of multiple singles from "Down the Road I Go"
Travis Tritt released several successful singles from his album "Down the Road I Go" in 2001, including "It's a Great Day to Be Alive", "Love of a Woman", and "Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde".
September 2002: Release of "Strong Enough"
Travis Tritt released his second album with Columbia Records, "Strong Enough", in September 2002.
2002: "Crossroads" Performance and Collaboration with Ray Charles
Travis Tritt appeared on an episode of the Country Music Television program "Crossroads" in 2002, where he performed with legendary musician Ray Charles.
2003: Guest Vocals on "Southern Boy" and "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" Cover
Travis Tritt provided guest vocals on Charlie Daniels' single "Southern Boy" in 2003. He also recorded a cover of Waylon Jennings' "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean" for the RCA Records tribute album "I've Always Been Crazy".
2004: Release of "My Honky Tonk History"
Travis Tritt released his tenth studio album, "My Honky Tonk History", in 2004. The album featured collaborations with artists such as John Mellencamp and included covers of songs by Philip Claypool.
July 2005: Departure from Columbia Records
Travis Tritt left Columbia Records in July 2005 due to creative differences.
February 2006: Signing with Category 5 Records
Travis Tritt signed with the independent label Category 5 Records in February 2006.
March 2007: Lawsuit by Concert Promoter
In March 2007, a concert promoter in the Pittsburgh area filed a lawsuit against Travis Tritt, alleging that he had agreed to perform at a show but then withdrew and committed to a competing venue. Tritt's manager denied that a contract had been signed.
May 2007: Release of "You Never Take Me Dancing"
Travis Tritt released his first single with Category 5 Records, a cover of Richard Marx's "You Never Take Me Dancing", in May 2007.
November 2007: Closure of Category 5 Records and Lawsuit
Category 5 Records ceased operations in November 2007 amid allegations that its CEO had misused funds. Following the closure, Travis Tritt filed a lawsuit against the label for unpaid royalties and lack of creative control.
October 2008: Tritt's Tour with Marty Stuart
In October 2008, Travis Tritt began an 11-date tour with fellow musician Marty Stuart. During the tour, they performed acoustic renditions of their duets, and Tritt also performed five solo shows. This event marked a significant moment in his career as he continued to connect with audiences through live performances.
September 2010: Filming of 'Fishers of Men' Begins
In September 2010, filming began on 'Fishers of Men', a Christian film featuring Travis Tritt. This project allowed Tritt to explore his acting talents further and participate in a film with a religious theme.
December 2010: Management Deal with Parallel Entertainment
In December 2010, Travis Tritt signed a management deal with Parallel Entertainment. This strategic move helped him manage his career more effectively and facilitated his continued touring through 2012 and into 2013, focusing on solo acoustic performances.
July 2013: Re-issue of 'The Storm' as 'The Calm After...'
In July 2013, Travis Tritt re-issued the album 'The Storm' under his own Post Oak label, retitling it 'The Calm After...'. The re-release featured two cover songs, including a duet with his daughter, Tyler Reese. This move demonstrated Tritt's commitment to his music and his ability to adapt and reintroduce his work to the public.
October 2015: Appearance on 'The Haunting of...'
In October 2015, Travis Tritt appeared on the Lifetime network's program 'The Haunting of...' to discuss his paranormal experiences. He recounted being regularly awakened by disembodied voices in a vacation cabin he owned, starting in 1993.
May 18, 2019: Tour Bus Accident
On May 18, 2019, Travis Tritt's tour bus was involved in a tragic motor vehicle accident while leaving Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The accident resulted in the deaths of two individuals driving the wrong way on Veteran's Highway, highlighting the dangers faced while touring.
2019: Featured on 'Outlaws & Outsiders'
In 2019, Travis Tritt was featured on the country rock hit 'Outlaws & Outsiders' by Cory Marks. This collaboration highlighted Tritt's influence in the country rock genre and his ability to stay relevant in the music industry.
September 2020: Controversy over Twitter Blocking
In September 2020, Travis Tritt joined fellow Republican James Woods in blocking Twitter users who used pro-Black Lives Matter and anti-Trump tags. This action brought Tritt into the spotlight, as it was perceived as an attempt to counteract anti-Republican sentiment on social media.
2021: Release of 'Set in Stone'
In 2021, Travis Tritt released the album 'Set in Stone'. Initially recorded in 2019 and 2020, the album's release was pushed back to early 2021. This album marked a significant point in his career, showcasing his ongoing creativity and contribution to country music.
April 2023: Protest Against Bud Light
In April 2023, Travis Tritt announced on Twitter that he would be removing all Anheuser-Busch products from his tour hospitality rider. This action was a protest against Bud Light's support of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, reflecting Tritt's stance on the issue.