There was a time when a new Randy Travis album was cause for celebration in country music circles, with radio programmers tripping over themselves to add Travis' brand of neo-honky-tonk to their late-80s and early-'90s playlists. The basso profundo former juvenile delinquent could render a tear-and-beer-stained ballad better than anybody this side of George Jones, and his strong-jawed good looks could put a knockin' in the knees of honky-tonk angels everywhere. But that was then, when contemporary country meant pedal steel and twin fiddles, and not now, when contemporary sounds like "Sugarbland." After a nearly decade-long hiatus from strum and twang that saw Travis getting his God on, playing gospel, the singer has released Around the Bend, a fine disc that, in 2008, is too country for country radio. Despite debuting on the country album charts at No. 3, the disc has as yet to chart a single in the Top 40, where such lesser acts as Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw rule the roost. But in a way, that's a nice compliment for Travis. When was the last time anybody heard a new George Jones song on KNIX?
Find everything you're looking for in your city
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
