Randy Travis, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, has used artificial intelligence to release his first new song in over ten years, “Where That Came From.”
Warner Music Nashville issued a formal release celebrating the project today, which also happened to be Travis’ 65th birthday. With lifetime sales exceeding 25 million units, the seven-time Grammy winner has had restricted speech after having a stroke in 2013.
However, the setback did not signify the end of the Marshville, North Carolina-born artist’s music career, which consisted primarily of collaborations and archival releases between 2013 and the present. According to Warner Music, which has collaborated with the Edith Piaf estate on an AI biography, the original song was conceived after Warner Music Nashville co-president Cris Lacy contacted Travis and his longtime producer, Kyle Lehning.
READ MORE: YouTube Is Launching An AI Tool That Will Allow Users To Skip Over Tedious Video Content
The latter professional is believed to have recommended “Where That Came From,” which had previously been recorded (but not released) by James Dupre, who is currently touring with Travis as part of the More Life Tour. Evidently, the concept paved the way for a thorough training regimen and the eventual composition of the piece, which was written by Toby Keith colleague Scotty Emerick and experienced songwriter John Scott Sherrill.
CBS News said that Lehning and Warner Music “started by pulling 42 Randy Travis tracks from the vault,” isolating and then analyzing the voices. Travis’ voice was then superimposed on Dupre’s recording of “Where That Came From”.
READ MORE: Snapchat Will Now Watermark Its Users’ AI-Generated Photographs
“The second song they’re working on is proving to be a harder nut to crack,” the same publication stated in a video report, revealing that at least one more Randy Travis AI song is in the works. While it’s unknown when the album will be released to listeners, the music video for “Where That Came From” premiered today.
Addressing his first new release in nearly a decade, Travis stated that he “enjoyed every moment” of the process.
“Eleven years ago, I never thought I’d be able to get involved in any kind of music production,” stated the author of Forever and Ever, Amen. “But with God’s grace and the help of family, friends, fellow artists, and fans, I’m able to make the music I adore.
“Working with Kyle Lehning and Warner Music Nashville again has been incredibly sweet and nostalgic, and I’m thrilled to share my new single ‘Where That Came From’ with you today. Many thanks to my amazing staff and the best fans in the world for getting me back in the saddle! “I’ve enjoyed every moment of it,” he said.
In the grand scheme of things, fully authorized AI releases that mimic works by well-known artists are likely to become more widespread in the future. That unprecedented reality will have far-reaching commercial consequences; yet, in the present, much of the focus is on enforcing rules and regulations governing unlicensed soundalike initiatives and the training methods that underpin top generative AIs.
Radiant TV, offering to elevate your entertainment game! Movies, TV series, exclusive interviews, music, and more—download now on various devices, including iPhones, Androids, smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and more.
