Randy Travis brings More Life Tour to the Missouri Theatre

By Paul Storiale
Submitted to Corner Post

When I first moved to Saint Joseph and stepped into my role as executive director of the Performing Arts Association, I’ll never forget a longtime patron in a cowboy hat who walked up to me and said, “You’re the new guy, huh? We need country music.” I agreed. “Well get something, I give you my word”

So,a couple months later, when I heard that Randy Travis would be returning to the stage with his original band, I jumped on the phone immediately. Our board of directors didn’t hesitate for a moment. They were thrilled at the chance to bring Randy Travis to the Missouri Theatre.

Randy Travis is a name that means something to anyone who loves country music. His voice helped define an era. After his stroke in 2013, many thought his singing days were over. But Randy’s story has always been one of resilience and faith, and the More Life Tour is a testament to that.

While Randy can no longer perform in full, his music is brought to life by his original band and vocalist James Dupré. James is a Louisiana-born father of five who once worked as a paramedic before chasing his dream in music. With his deep baritone, he doesn’t try to impersonate Randy. He sings with respect, giving the songs new life for a new generation. During the concert, Randy will sit on stage with his wife while video projections tell his remarkable story.

The timing of our announcement this past spring couldn’t have been more special. In March, during NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration, Carrie Underwood closed the show with “Forever and Ever, Amen” and handed the microphone to Randy for the final word. With great effort, he said, “Amen.” That one word brought the house to its feet and soon went viral, reminding millions of his strength and spirit.

When the More Life Tour comes to Saint Joseph, it won’t just be a concert. It will be a celebration of a legend!