James did not find his entry into the music industry to be particularly easy, neither of his parents expected him to make a success of himself as a musician. However thanks to the continued support of Warner Bros executive Danny Davenport in 1996 the young songwriter began recording demos that were passed on to other important names within the record label. Thanks to Davenport's encouragement Tritt signed a contract in 1997 to record six songs with the label.
He proved Warner Bros. was right to take a chance on the young musician as his first three singles were all huge Country chart hits. 'Help Me Hold On', his second release scored Tritt his first number one, he has scored four more number ones over his career and a huge selection of top five hits. He has also topped the Canadian Country charts six times and his releases were equally successful there.
After the success of his first album, the single 'The Whiskey Ain't Working' from his second album won the musician his first Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. In 1999 he won again in the same category for the single 'Same Old Train' which featured Marty Stuart and a variety of other musicians. The majority of his albums now hold a platinum selling certificate and he has sold millions worldwide and has won four Country Music Association awards.
Cagle scored a songwriting deal writing for David Kersh, which led him right to Virgin Records. His debut album “Play it Loud” was well received with the leading single “my Love Goes On and On” making it to number 15 on the country charts. His sophomore single, “Laredo” became his first country hit. Unfortunately, Virgin records closed their doors in 2000, but luckily Cagle managed a to land another deal with Capitol Records, and released “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out” which would go on to be become a number one hit in 2002. The album became a gold record in the US.
2003 saw the released of Cagle’s eponymous album, released on April 1st which also became a gold records and featured the singles “What a Beautiful Day” and “Chicks Dig It”. The album also managed to reach number 15 in the Billboard 200 chart. Following some difficulties with his vocal chords, Cagle was unfortunately forced to cancel a tour opening for Rascal Flatts and was ordered to take 60 days of vocal rest. Fortunately, he came out of the other side fighting, entering the studio to release his third full-length studio album “Anywhere but Here”. The leading single, reached number 12 on the country charts. After a US tour, Cagle would re enter the studio, and released his eleventh single, a track called “What Kinda Gone” which made it to number 3, generating hype for his fourth album “My Life’s Been a Country song, which was released on February 19th 2008. The album fortunately made it to the top spot on the Country charts, and number 8 on the Billboard 200.
“Back in the Saddle” followed a greatest hits album by Cagle, and was released on June 26th 2012. The album was led by the single “Got My Country On”, which made it to number 12 in the Country Charts.
I was lucky enough to get to tickets to see Travis Tritt at a place called the Don Gibson Theater in a little town west of Charlotte named Shelby NC.
Don Gibson was a famous songwriter from Shelby and the theater is a tribute to him. The place is very well done. The interior is mix of art deco and 1950’s design. The place is laid out great. There is a bar and separate lounge area and then the stage and seating are on another side. The place only holds 400 people so you really get an intimate experience.
Travis was great in this setting. I felt like I was sitting in his living room . His voice sounded great and the band he had was very talented. They did a lot of slower songs. They also did all of his radio hits which really got the crowd going. He also did some versions of Don Gibson songs as a tribute to the person that the venue was named after. He played for a long time and really left everyone in awe of his vast musical knowledge. For a person that started out as “pop” country, he has really redefined himself as traditional and a top notched musician.
Chris Cagle is the American Country Music Artist who has been working on his craft for many years and has achieved a huge amount of success to date with a string of album releases over the last fifteen years being signed to the Nashville division of Virgin Records.
Alongside his stellar band, made up of kit, bass, guitars, mandolin, pedal steel, Hammond organ, piano, and himself on vocals, they make a sound that really does pack a punch and fills these huge 2000 capacity venues across the country. The room is completely full tonight, it is a sold out show. “What a Beautiful Day” is the song that opens the evening, seeing this couple of thousand audiences jumping along to the four to the floor beat, washed with the riffs of the electric guitars and pedal steels playing in harmony. These patrons lap up the fun vibes of “Chicks Dig It” with the women of the crowd screaming and throwing unwanted garments in the direction of the stage. Cagle closes this mammoth set on the song “What Kinda Gone”, which made it to number three of the charts, again, seeing the audience sing along, probably louder than Cagle’s voice on this in house system. It is a truly wonderful moment for all those involved.