Introduction:
Travis Tritt: At Peace With Being the Outlaw of Country Music
Working in the music industry often means playing by the rules. It can mean doing favors for labels, agreeing to certain shows, or recording collaborations that may not be entirely your idea. That legwork sometimes earns you access to award shows, recognition from the industry, and the prestige that comes with being celebrated. For many artists, those rewards are the ultimate goal. But for Travis Tritt, that was never the motivation.
In fact, Tritt has found comfort in realizing that he may never be Nashville’s golden child. He may not be the artist who racks up endless trophies or enjoys universal acclaim from the establishment. Back in February 1995, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he reflected on where he fit within the tradition of outlaw country. While artists like Hank Williams Jr. often received mainstream support, Tritt accepted that he would always be on the outside looking in—and he was fine with that.
“People have a tendency to like folks they can control, people who don’t rock the boat. Nashville’s no different,” Tritt explained. “They want people who come in with that ‘aw, shucks’ attitude. I have some of that, sure. But I also know how hard I worked for years in rough places, how many jobs I lost, and how many nights I survived on Vienna sausage sandwiches because that was all I could afford.”
Instead of leaning into the typical “just happy to be here” persona, Tritt has built his career on honesty and grit. He’s proud of the sacrifices he made, even if that attitude sometimes rubs industry insiders the wrong way. “I did that for a lot of years, and to sit back and say, ‘Well gosh, I don’t really deserve this opportunity’—that would be a lie. I do feel like I deserve the things I’ve worked for. I’ve put everything I have into this life, and that kind of truth isn’t something awards shows always want to hear.”
For Tritt, success isn’t about pleasing the powers that be. It’s about staying true to himself, honoring the struggle that brought him this far, and embracing his role as one of country music’s true outlaws.