Randy Travis Debuts Christmas Song Recorded Before His 2013 Near-Fatal Stroke

The 66-year-old country singer developed aphasia, limiting his ability to speak and sing.

Randy Travis performs at the 2013 CMA Music Festival in Nashville Tenn. on June 7, 2013. John Davisson/Invision/AP, File

Randy Travis has gifted fans with a previously unreleased Christmas track, more than a decade after a near-fatal stroke severely limited his ability to speak and sing.

The Country Music Hall of Famer debuted the ballad “Where My Heart Is” on Nov. 21, just in time for the holidays.

“As Christmas draws near, I thought that now would be the perfect time to give my fans an early Christmas present,” Travis, 66, shared on Instagram ahead of the song’s release.

“'Where My Heart Is’ reminds me of the family, friends, and fans I’m grateful for every day, especially during the holidays. I can’t wait for you to hear this incredibly special recording from the vault, and I hope it brings you the same warmth and gratitude I feel during the holiday season.”

The song begins with Travis singing about the “magic in the air” and his desire to get home to his loved ones in time for Christmas.

“Don’t start the celebration without me. You know I wouldn’t wanna miss one thing,” he croons in the chorus. “From hanging every decoration, to opening the front door when we hear carolers sing, and the peaceful quiet of the falling snow by the fire on Christmas Eve. I wanna be where my heart is, with friends and family.”

Travis, who emerged on the country scene in 1986 with his debut album “Storms of Life,” recorded the song before a series of heart issues halted his music career in 2013.

In July of that year, the “Forever and Ever, Amen” singer was hospitalized after developing viral cardiomyopathy, or inflammation of the heart muscle, following an upper respiratory infection.

Travis suffered a stroke while in the hospital, undergoing surgery to relieve swelling in his brain. He subsequently developed aphasia, a condition that affects verbal and written communication.

Randy Travis and his wife, Mary Travis, onstage during the "More Life Tour" at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on June 5, 2024. Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Despite his health setbacks, the Grammy-winning singer has continued to put out new music with the help of artificial intelligence, including the tracks “Where That Came From,” released in May 2024, and “Horses in Heaven,” which debuted in January.

Travis recently concluded his 2025 “More Life Tour,” featuring his original touring band and special guest vocalist James Dupré, following a successful run last year.

The singer’s life and career are now poised to be depicted in the biopic “Forever And Ever, Amen,” with country star Clay Walker portraying Travis. The film is expected to be released in the spring of 2026.

“From humble beginnings to unexpected success, a young North Carolina boy rides the waves of fame, returning country music back to its roots,” the film’s synopsis reads.

Walker, 56, said in a statement that he was “truly honored” to be a part of the project, which is being executive-produced by Travis and his wife, Mary.

“Randy Travis is the voice of a generation and one of the greatest country singers of all time,” Walker said. “[I] cannot believe I get to play one of my heroes.”