Randy Travis and Generative AI Songs

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Overview and Background:

Singer and songwriter, Randy Travis, acquired Aphasia after a severe stroke in 2013. According to the National Aphasia Association, Randy Travis has "severe aphasia" and cannot speak but sing songs that he knew before the diagnosis. What was an unsuspecting visit to the ER for cardiomyopathy turned into a diagnosis that would change his life forever. Looking to gain a piece of himself back, Randy Travis looked toward generative AI models to get his voice back. Because of generative AI, Randy Travis produced a song called "Where That Came From" with computer-engineered speech production of his voice.

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Statement from Randy Travis cited by Fox News:

"Eleven years ago I never thought I would be able to have a hand in music production of any kind," Travis said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "But by God’s grace and the support of family, friends, fellow artists and fans, I’m able to create the music I so dearly love. Working with Kyle Lehning and Warner Music Nashville again has been so special and nostalgic, and I'm so excited to share my new song 'Where That Came From' with you today. Many thanks to my wonderful team and the best fans in the world for putting me back in the saddle again! I’ve enjoyed every moment of it (Randy Travis, Fox News)."

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What is Aphasia?

According to the National Aphasia Association, Aphasia is a language impairment that affects one's speech production, comprehension, and ability to read or write. It is a result of brain injury or a stroke, but in rare cases in can form gradually over time.

*Image from biologydictionary.net, Sarah Knapp's article "Expressive Aphasia."

What are the types of Aphasia?

There is a large variety of aphasia diagnosis, but these are the eight most common. Read the diagram from top to bottom, answering yes or no as you go down.

This diagram is provided from the National Aphasia Association.

How was Randy Travis able to create AI speech production?

Warner Music Nashville record label co-president, Chris Lacy, said that the brand was "immediately on board" with the idea of using generative AI to recover Travis' voice.

Developers in London worked with Lacy to create two models. The first used 12 samples of Travis' voice, while the second used 42.

After the models were fully developed, they were laid over a vocal demo provided by singer James Dupree. Mary, Travis' wife, says that James Dupree added the "human element" to the generative AI.

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Statement from Chris Lacy cited from Fox News:

"It's Randy Travis. Randy's on the other side of the microphone. It's still his vocal. There's no reason he shouldn't be able to make music, and to deprive him of that, if he still wants to do that, that's unconscionable to me (Chris Lacy, Fox News)."

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Mary Travis' Statement on Randy Travis' Reaction to Hearing his Voice:

"Randy, I remember watching him when he first heard the song after it was completed. It was beautiful because at first, he was surprised, and then he was very pensive, and he was listening and studying," she said. "And then he put his head down and his eyes were a little watery. I think he went through every emotion there was in those three minutes of just hearing his voice again (Mary Travis, Fox News)."

Can he still sing?

According to the National Aphasia Association, Randy Travis is able to sing "a few words at a time."

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How is that possible?

Speech and language skills are regulated by the left hemisphere of the brain. Therefore, when a stroke occurs in the left hemisphere, speech and language may be impaired.

According to Flint Rehab, a company that produces assistive technology, because of its more creative aspects singing is regulated by the brain's right hemisphere. This leaves an opportunity for an individual to learn communication through engaging the brain's right hemisphere.

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Randy Travis Singing Amazing Grace

This video is Randy Travis' singing live for the first time after his diagnosis. He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Poll Question!

Do you think that anyone should have the right to produce AI songs without an artist's permission for entertainment purposes?

• yes
• no