OurBiography

Travis Tritt is a country music performer known for his bluesy, rock-and-roll-inspired songs.

Synopsis

In 1989, Travis Tritt released his first album, Country Club, which was followed by several platinum albums and chart-topping singles throughout the 1990s. Though the Nashville music industry was reluctant to endorse Tritt due his blatant rock-and-roll leanings, the musician continued to persevere with ongoing success, with hits like "Can I Trust You With My Heart” and "Here's a Quarter."

Early Years

Travis Tritt started singing as a child, performing in a children's choir at his church. He got his first guitar when he was eight years old and taught himself how to play this instrument. As a teenager, Tritt started writing songs. He aspired to be like one of country music's outlaws, such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr.

As much as he loved music, Tritt took his time before deciding to pursue his passion. He got married after graduating high school and tried working a regular job. He was employed by an air-conditioning and heating company for a short time. But before long, Tritt ended his marriage and quit his position. He decided to follow his musical dreams instead.

Tritt became a starving artist of sorts, playing small gigs at halls and bars. He became a fixture on the Atlanta club scene before making a move to the capital of country music, Nashville. With the help of a Warner Bros. Records representative, he made demo tapes that led to him get a deal with the label in the late 1980s.

A Country Star

Tritt released his first album, Country Club, in 1990. The title track became his first hit, breaking into the country Top 10. Some industry experts didn't know what to make of his rock-influenced sound, but listeners definitely liked what they heard. Tritt had two more successful singles off the album—"Help Me Hold On" and "I'm Going to Be Somebody." His career received another boost with he signed Ken Kragen up to his manager. With such clients as Kenny Rogers and Trisha Yearwood, Kragen was well-connected in the Nashville scene.

With his next effort, 1991's It's All About to Change, Tritt became a top-selling country act. The album sold millions of copies, joining the ranks of such country stars as Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. Both unlike those two, Tritt continued to not conform the idea of a traditional country singer. He skipped the standard cowboy hat and put on rock-style concerts.

Taking on a rock legend, Tritt covered the famous Elvis Presley song "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" in the 1992 album of the same name. He also won his first Grammy Award for his duet with Marty Stuart, "The Whisky Ain't Workin'" that year.

While not reprising the heady success of his early albums, Tritt closed out the 1990s with several solid performing recordings. Both The Restless Kind (1996) and No More Looking Over My Shoulder made it into the Country Top 20. In 2000, Tritt scored again with Down The Road I Go.

Latest Recordings

In recent years, Tritt has explored other musical genres. He recorded a duet with soul superstar Sam Moore in 2006. Teaming up with Randy Jackson of American Idol fame, Tritt recorded 2007's The Storm. The R&B, soul and blues-infused album put him back on the charts after a hiatus of several years. "You Never Take Me Dancing" proved to be a hit single.

In 2010, Tritt announced that he was working on creating his own music label. He expects his next album, will be released through this new venture. Tritt already operates his own music publishing company, Post Oak.

Personal Life

Twice-divorced, Tritt wed third wife Theresa Nelson in 1997. The couple has three children, two sons Tristan and Tarian and daughter Tyler.