Randy Travis photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

"They started playing it on what they refer to as 'grass roots' stations, and it started building slowly. The requests were such that it went into bigger and bigger radio markets. And then, it did what it did."

That was only the beginning. In 2004-05, his Worship & Faith album earned him another Grammy Award and another Gospel Music Association accolade. He was also honored with a 2004 star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"I felt so out of place you wouldn't believe it," he chuckles. "I felt like, 'I'll be happy when this is over.' It sounds bad saying that, because it really is a huge honor. But I did feel out of place as a country guy being there."

He shouldn't have. In addition to having a phenomenal recording career, Randy Travis has appeared in many films, TV movies and episodes of dramatic series. His movies include "Fire Down Below" with Steven Seagal, "Black Dog" with Patrick Swayze, "Frank and Jesse" with Rob Lowe and "The Rainmaker" with Jon Voight, Danny DeVito and Matt Damon. He appeared in "White River Kid" opposite Antonio Banderas, Ellen Barkin, Lily Tomlin and Bob Hoskins. His co-stars in "Texas Rangers" were Dylan McDermott and Usher. Most recently, he has co-starred in the supernatural dramas "The Visitation" (2006) and "The Wager" (2007).

Randy also appeared in two 2003 episodes of TV's "Touched By an Angel," and he has been featured on five other episodes of that show over the years. Other series that have cast him as a guest star include "Matlock," "Blues Clues," "Sabrina," "Hey Arnold" and "King of the Hill."

"Somebody researched it and found out that I've done more than 40 projects, TV and film-wise. I was surprised to hear that. Because I've always done far more music stuff than acting. There's no doubt that I'm mostly performing music, either in the studio or in live performances."

Randy Travis's musical accolades continued in 2005-06. His country collection Passing Through earned him another Gospel Music Association award as well as critical acclaim for its singles "Four Walls" and "Angels." The traditional-gospel CD Glory Train earned him his sixth Gospel Music Association award in 2006 and his sixth Grammy Award in 2007.

"What I want to do is to alternate Christian and country records," Randy comments. "I really do like doing both of them. I was baptized a little over 14 years ago, and I really enjoy doing gospel performances, music ministry, as they call it. You get some amazing comments from people about some of the gospel songs, like "Raise Him Up." But with my country records, it has been the same. 'Forever and Ever, Amen' has been used in no telling how many weddings."

It's true. Few careers have produced as many country classics. In addition to "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "Three Wooden Crosses," Randy Travis has introduced "On the Other Hand," "1982," "Diggin' Up Bones," "He Walked on Water," "Look Heart, No Hands" and his self-composed "I Told You So." His 1990 smash "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" has recently been recast as a bluegrass staple in the repertoires of The Charlie Sizemore Band and Grass Routes. "Point of Light" was the theme song of President Bush's Volunteerism Campaign of 1991. In addition, the singer has revived such standards as "King of the Road," "It's Just a Matter of Time," and now, "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right."

And when the roll is called of the greatest country albums of all time, such Randy Travis collections as Storms of Life, Old 8x10, Always & Forever, High Lonesome, This Is Me and Full Circle will surely be there. Now Around the Bend becomes an achievement to stand alongside them.

Come to think of it, let's rephrase that opening statement. Randy Travis has recorded the perfect country album...once again.