Randy Travis honored during all-star tribute show

Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Some of the biggest stars in country music including Garth Brooks and Chris Young honored Randy Travis in song Wednesday during a special tribute concert.

The event held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville was kicked off by Mayor Megan Barry who declared Feb. 8 to be Randy Travis Day.

The long list of performers also included Josh Turner, Scotty McCreery, Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Chris Janson, Kenny Rogers, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan and Alabama who performed alongside Travis' band some of the icon's biggest hits.

"What doesn't he mean to country music, especially to someone who grew up as a baritone singer in country music?" Young who performed "This is Me" said onstage. "I would just constantly sing his stuff. He means a whole lot to a lot of singers, not just me."

All proceeds from the show will help benefit the Randy Travis Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps raise money for stroke research and rehabilitation.

Travis who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October, is still recovering from a massive stroke he suffered in 2013 as a result of a viral infection in his heart.

Now able to walk and currently relearning how to speak, the 57-year-old had surprised the crowd at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction by singing the first verse of "Amazing Grace."

During a recent interview with USA Today with Travis and his wife Mary, the singer was asked if he was happy to which he responded "Well...no," before taking a long pause and stating "Damaged."

When asked about his singing ability following the stroke, Mary said, "I know the world, when they hear him, they can tell it's Randy Travis, and the more he does it, the better it's going to get."