Travis Greene,
"You Waited"

By
Leah Brungardt, All Access Music Group
Two-time
GRAMMY nominated RCA/Inspiration recording artist Travis
Greene kick offs 2018 with a U.S. tour beginning February 18
through March 1. Launching at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit,
Michigan, the tour will hit Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, IL,
Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Richmond, VA,
Washington, DC, Charlotte, NC and Atlanta.
Greene recently reached #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart for his
song, "You Waited," marking his third consecutive #1
single. Greene's current album, Crossover: Live From Music
City, also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums
chart and received a Grammy Nomination for Best Gospel Album.
Travis is also
on the same Gospel music charts as part of a collaboration with
Elevation Collective featuring Kierra Sheard
called Do It Again from the Evidence CD)
Greene, who launched his recording career with The More in 2007 -
shares fresh material with eager audiences in Crossover: Live
From Music City, for longtime and new fans alike to partake
in an experience that captures the artist's passion, excitement
and charisma onstage -- and his ability to reach hearts with the
gospel through music.
Greene has been nominated for two career GRAMMY Awards, two Billboard
Music Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, three Dove Awards and one Soul
Train Award. At the 2017 Stellar Gospel Music Awards, he won in
seven key categories, including "Song of the Year" (for Made
A Way, which also hit #1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart),
"Male Vocalist of the Year," "CD of the Year (The Hill,
which also reached #1 on the Top Gospel Albums chart),"
"Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year," "Contemporary CD of
the Year," "Recorded Music Packaging of the Year" and "Praise
and Worship CD of the Year."
In 2016, Billboard named him "Gospel Airplay Artist of the Year."
Travis received a 2018 GRAMMY nomination for "Best Gospel Album"
for Crossover: Live From Music City. The upcoming 60th
GRAMMY award ceremony will take place on January 28, 2018 at
Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Travis
explains, "Am I dreaming? This is so surreal. I am truly
grateful to be recognized again, for simply doing what I love.
All I've ever wanted to do is make a difference through music. I
poured my heart into this album 'Crossover,' and it's an
honor to know that it has touched so many."
Where does this
interview find you?
Is there music playing in the background?
If so, what is it? What music gets you instantly out of a bad
mood?
What is a song you are loving these days?
Very
interesting questions. Currently there is no music playing in
the background. Because my life is so fast and so loud, I
actually enjoy silence. I don't listen a lot of music.
If I do need to get in a good mood I listen to Bethel Music or
Hillsong United and it broadens my perspective on whatever
I'm facing and it shows how big God is and how little my
problems are.
There's a song that Bethel just released written by Cory Asbury
called Reckless Love and that's been a song I keep on
repeat.
Growing up, did
you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest
musical memory? Was there a time where you thought of doing
something completely different?
Music is all I
ever wanted to do. I had a love and passion for it at a young
age. I was awestruck by musicians and anyone with musical talent
growing up. Just always thought it looked cool and something I
wanted to do.
My earliest
memory is attending a John P. Kee concert when I was 12.
He called and gave me a microphone and allowed me to sing his
song Show Up. That was about 21 years ago.
I thought I
would go to the NBA until I stopped growing. That ended that
dream pretty quickly (laughing)
Overall, how do
you think 2017 has been for you and music career? What are you
most excited for in 2018? Did think you make
any New Year's Resolutions?
2017 has been
a year of expansion and unbelievable favor and seeing and
experiencing this a I can only dream of. The platform because
larger especially internationally.
In 2018, I'm looking forward to my first domestic tour. I'm really really
excited about that. It's something I've always wanted to do. For
a New Years resolution, every top of the year I take a stab at
eating cleaner and working out more.
I always like to
ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town
has influenced them as an artist now. How do you think your
hometown and current home has affected you and your music today?
I grew up
primarily in a city called Columbus, GA and from there Warner
Robins, GA. The neighborhoods were on opposite sides of the
spectrum. One was very urban and the other was very rural.
Being from
those two places has allowed me to adapt and helped me be
internally diversified...given me an edge to let my gifts to
flow no matter where I am.
Congrats on your
Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Album for your collection,
Crossover: Live From Music City.
This marks your third career Grammy nomination. So, I am curious
to know if it feel just as exciting and thrilling each time?
Absolutely!
Every time, its breathtaking. There's nothing like the first
time. It's something you don't get used to. I'm very honored to
be highlighted by so many people.
When you were
putting together,
Crossover: Live From Music City,
did you feel that it was a special project and some of your best
work? Can you talk about the process of putting together this
collection? Were there any unexpected challenges or surprises
about it all?
This process was a little different from the last. I've evolved
as a writer, singer performer and a father. A lot in my life has
changed. The music flows from that and the state that I am
around the time that I was putting together the album. I felt
very good about the album early on. I'm my worst critic. My
motto is, I never want any skipped tracks - I want every song to
mean something to the listener.
I was very
excited about this project. The production quality is
increasingly better; we tried to be a bit edgier and more
mainstream than your typical gospel music. I wanted it to flow,
but yet I wanted it to have versatility. I wanted it to hit you
in different moods and penetrate your heart.