Randy Travis celebrates 60th birthday with a star-studded party at Grand Ole Opry​ 

via The Tenneassean 

Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member Randy Travis celebrated his 60th birthday on the Opry’s hallowed stage Saturday night, joining Ricky Skaggs, Don Schlitz and more to cap the evening with an all-sing on his signature hit “Forever and Ever, Amen.” After that, the singers on stage joined the sold-out crowd to serenade Travis with “Happy Birthday.”

Travis, who suffered a near-fatal stroke in the summer of 2013, signed his record deal in 1985 and released his genre-altering album “Storms of Life” in 1986, the same year he joined the Grand Ole Opry. Travis’ classic sound swung country music from its pop-leaning path and back to a traditional sound, which paved the way for acts including Alan Jackson, Clint Black and Garth Brooks three years later. Brooks who was headlining a stadium in Minnesota Saturday night, couldn't make the celebration.

But Travis' fellow singers and fans Charles Esten, Josh Turner and Charlie Worsham turned out to honor Travis by performing his songs along with Schiltz, who wrote many of Travis' hits. Worsham claimed the Schiltz-penned "Oscar the Angel," Esten covered "Honky Tonk Moon" and Turner sang "Out Of My Bones."

"Randy Travis' music and persona have been a part of my life from an early age," Turner said. "His songs are constantly sparking memories from different phases of my life. He has been a strong positive influence throughout my own musical journey. He's my hero, my friend and I'm thankful for his life, his music and how he's inspired me to do great things."