Introduction:
Travis Tritt Still Stands Apart, Decades Into His Career
Recording artists who sound alike have long been an issue in country music—especially during the bro-country wave. But when Travis Tritt broke out of Nashville more than 25 years ago, alongside Clint Black, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks, each future superstar brought something distinctly their own.
“I think one of the things that has kept me going all these years is that my voice is recognizable,” Tritt said. “I didn’t sound like any other artist when I was starting out at the same time as Garth and Alan. We all sounded different.”
Tritt, now 62, will take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 2 at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort. Beyond his voice, Tritt carved his own path visually and sonically. He was the only one of his contemporaries who didn’t sport a cowboy hat, and he was the only one who infused a heavy dose of bluesy Southern rock into his brand of country.
That fusion became his signature. More than 40 of his songs have appeared on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, including five No. 1 singles: “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “Can I Trust You With My Heart,” “Foolish Pride” and “Best of Intentions.” Another 15 cracked the Top 10, enough to fill an entire setlist of fan favorites.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate,” Tritt said during a recent call from Georgia. “It’s amazing how much the fans have supported me. We try to engage the audience as much as possible as we play the hits going all the way back. People don’t realize how many songs we had on the charts.”
Touring, however, isn’t always glamorous. Tritt admits that the hardest part of life on the road is the downtime.
“The biggest problem with touring is that it becomes very monotonous,” he said. “Traveling is hell, but the two hours I spend onstage make it worth it. That’s what keeps me going.”
When he’s not performing, Tritt prefers a quiet bus life. “If you stepped onto the tour bus, you’d see me reading or watching the news. I’m a news junkie,” he said.
Even as he thrives, Tritt acknowledges how much the music business has changed since his early days.
“Things are so different now in the way records are recorded and marketed,” Tritt explained. “If you don’t have tremendous movement on the charts in the first few weeks, the song dies a quick death. Getting started today is much more difficult than when I started. I’m just glad where I’m at.”
This weekend, Tritt will co-headline with Aaron Lewis & The Stateliners. Lewis—best known both as the frontman of hard rock band Staind and as a country solo artist—has carved his own reputation as an outspoken figure in an industry where many avoid controversy. His single “Am I the Only One” drew national attention for its pointed lyrics and right-wing themes.
Both Tritt and Lewis share one thing in common: a refusal to conform.
“I don’t know how to be any other way,” Tritt said.