On Wednesday afternoon, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier surprised music icon Randy Travis with a plaque commemorating 23 million certified units throughout his legendary career and highlighting his top album, 5x Platinum Always & Forever. The presentation took place during Mondo.NYC following a keynote interview, where Glazier spoke with Randy and his wife Mary about the AI technology used to recreate his own voice for his newest single “Where That Came From” as well as necessary protections for artists and songwriters around unethical AI practices, including the bipartisan NO FAKES Act - a bill that would protect an individual’s voice and likeness from AI deepfakes and unauthorized use of digital replicas. The couple have become leaders in advocating for creators’ rights, also recently testifying to Congress in Washington D.C. about the American Music Fairness Act and receiving the Music Fairness Award from SoundExchange in September.
“Randy Travis is a legend whose instantly recognizable baritone has impacted generations of fans. As he uses his voice and responsible AI technology to create new music with Warner Music Nashville, Randy and wife Mary have also become advocates for establishing guardrails that protect artists and songwriters’ rights as they use new innovative tools. The RIAA is honored to celebrate Randy and present this career plaque commemorating over 23 million certified units, including the 5x Platinum album Always & Forever!” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman & CEO of RIAA.
"It was a great gift to work with Mitch Glazier, and his entire RIAA team, as a part of the Mondo lineup this year, regarding AI and its impact on the music industry. It gave me a much better understanding of all the daily hard work and ‘behind the scenes’ efforts that take place to support the commercial and vital statistics of our artistic community. At the conclusion of our panel, and to my total surprise, Mitch and Jackie Jones, presented me with a treasured plaque commemorating the years of doing what I loved doing most. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live and learn more about the backbones of our industry, in an effort to make the futures of tomorrow’s artists a little brighter. Our deepest gratitude for taking such great care of our music family, Mitch!" said Randy Travis.
Travis is a titan of country music – a “Mt. Rushmore of Country Music” figure for countless artists who have stood in his footsteps. His music continues to resonate with today’s listeners just as it did when he first hit the airwaves in 1986. His latest RIAA certification proves that enduring impact - 2002 single “Three Wooden Crosses” earned Platinum (one million sales) in July 2024. His signature sophomore album - the astounding 5x Platinum Always & Forever - features 2x Platinum single “Forever and Ever, Amen” while Travis’ debut genre-altering album Storms of Life is 3x Platinum and sits alongside two 2x Platinum, four Platinum and four Gold albums, in addition to numerous single certifications. Explore all of his RIAA certifications here. Travis set and maintained many sales pinnacles – like the most weeks at No. 1 of any country album – that have only been beaten by names like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and more recently, Taylor Swift, Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen.