Country music icon Randy Travis, who lost his ability to sing following a stroke in 2013, has released his first song in over a decade with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
The track, “Where That Came From,” uses AI to recreate Travis’ distinctive voice by building on 42 vocal samples from his career.
Warner Music Nashville’s Cris Lacy proposed the AI approach, with producer Kyle Lehning refining the AI-generated vocals to capture Travis’ unique style.
This use of AI in music is seen as a positive step, even amid broader concerns about AI’s misuse in the industry. Warner Music is exploring more releases but cautiously to respect Travis’ legacy and artistic integrity.
1. Country music star Randy Travis, who lost his ability to sing after a stroke in 2013, has released his first song in over a decade, titled “Where That Came From,” with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
2. Warner Music Nashville co-president Cris Lacy suggested using AI to recreate Travis’ voice, leading to the development of a proprietary AI model with 42 vocal samples from his career.
3. Longtime producer Kyle Lehning refined the AI-generated track to ensure it captured Travis’ unique style and soulful tone, taking into account Travis’ laid-back singing approach.
4. The project represents a positive use of AI in the music industry, contrasting with broader concerns about AI’s potential misuse and infringement on artists’ rights.
5. Mary Travis, Randy’s wife, shared that the emotional reaction from Randy when he first heard the completed song was significant, with him feeling a mix of surprise, reflection, and nostalgia.
6. Warner Music is cautiously considering additional releases, aiming to respect Travis’ artistic legacy and maintain integrity with the use of AI in music production.
7. The success of “Where That Came From” demonstrates how AI can be used to support artists and their work, advocating for responsible practices that protect artists’ rights and ensure proper credit.
