Randy travis was the first Country artist to break the multi-platinum sales barrier. Now he 's setting records regarding his gospel recordings. Randy's Rise and Shine album just hit gold status, and his single, "Three Wooden Crosses," has become nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year by the New bands Association. But no award compares to the worth of his newfound music ministry. That's what he talked with Lisa Ryan about from his home in Santa Fe.

LISA RYAN (reporting): In Randy's amazing Santa Fe home, crosses abound. But Randy gives the credit of those crosses-and a tremendous amount more- to the woman who began as his manager and have become his wife, Liv.

Randy travis: After you've been married quite some years, you discover how to take orders; it simply comes easy.

LISA RYAN (reporting): That could be all that's come very easy to Randy. For upwards of several years, he was refused by every record label in the city.

Randy travis: When Storms of Life, that first album, was released, to get a platinum album that's a thousand selling album in less than a year-the first time it had ever happened over a debut Country album-that would have been a surprise!

LISA RYAN (reporting): However in the small town where he and his awesome brother Ricky was raised, Randy had not been stranger to fame.

Randy travis: We had been well known in that area, not inside an easy way, definitely. I obtained into the drug thing, I totaled two motorcycles, and that i got in no less than 30 fights. The verse in the Bible that claims, 'He'll give His angels charge over you to definitely protect you'-that alone informs me that verse is extremely true because I should have been killed a long time ago.

LISA RYAN (reporting): Things went from bad to worse when Randy was arrested for stealing cars and breaking and entering. Younger crowd started singing in the club Liv managed.

Randy travis: Having her problem the before, praoclaiming that I wasn't drinking, not using drugs, not running with the same people anymore-that kept me from gonna prison.

LISA RYAN: Would you have any kind of religious upbringing when you were a kid?

Randy travis: No. I used to be in church somewhat being a very young kid, but, as the saying goes in the South, 'it didn't take.' None of it took with me. My Mom and Dad had six kids, and four of the six were going down the same road I had been.

LISA RYAN: When did your own personal spiritual journey and search for reassurance start?

Randy travis: Again, I have to look for my spouse. Once i found myself in my early 20s, I was sleeping one night-I was still drinking, still using drugs, and possibly was drunk or high or both-when I just found the Bible and started reading to go to sleep. I was amazed at how well I slept, but even beyond that, the following day, there were this reassurance that has been there i wasn't utilized to. I never had reassurance. I never felt at ease with anything or anybody.

LISA RYAN (reporting): Randy continued to learn his Bible, nevertheless it was 10 years before he surrendered his life to the Lord and was baptized along with Liv.

Randy travis: I know I'm forgiven for anyone things, badly because they were, in the past. There's forgiveness in the event you ask forgiveness, you undoubtedly repent, so you they make a genuine effort to refrain from giving that anymore.

LISA RYAN: The before I interviewed you, the first gospel album, Inspirational Journey, had just turn out. You were just beginning to play churches and Christian venues and giving your testimony. How's that completely different from the concert halls and the Country shows?

Randy travis: I didn't know what I was engaging in. I never even heard the term 'music ministry.' I didn't have any idea I needed one, you realize?

LISA RYAN: What's a testimony?

Randy travis: Yeah. Just what is a testimony? I'm singing. I'm a singer! It has turned into literally a music ministry because those arriving who didn't normally visit church, certain instances never visited church, a number of them had drifted far from the Lord, arriving at hear us due to Country hits, then coming and getting saved, altar calls. You'll see 100 people, 125, and one night 150 people arriving at accept Christ. It's just unbelievable.

LISA RYAN (reporting): Randy recently released his third gospel album, Worship & Faith, which includes.

Randy travis: Some pretty unusual versions of songs like "Just a better Walk with Thee;" "Turn Your Radio On," and "Peace in the Valley."

LISA RYAN: It is possible to greater satisfaction in this than even on all the record sales you've had, all the some people that have visit your concerts, if you notice people surface and receive the Lord as Savior?

Randy travis: Oh yeah, it's really a completely different thing. We hear people changing their lives, getting baptized, stopping the drugs, the alcohol. I am talking about it's many thing. I i never thought I'd certainly be a good impact on anybody with anything Used to or said or sang.

LISA RYAN (reporting): Today Randy travis continues to create a positive impact. Like the music he loves most, Randy's life is now his personal story song which has a powerful gospel message.

Randy travis: It's not whatever you take when you leave our planet behind you. It's that which you forget you whenever you are.