After an eight-year hiatus, Randy Travis is making his return to the Country Music industry with his new album, Around the Bend. According to GAC, Travis’ new album, which will be released July 15, is “the end of a long absence for him.”  But that’s hardly the case.

If you’re sitting there scratching your head thinking “Three Wooden Crosses” couldn’t have been released more than eight years ago, you’re right.  The song went to No.1 on the Country Music charts in 2003, but that song was from his gospel album, Rise and Shine.  Travis put out five inspirational CDs during his time away from Country Music.

He has also continued touring over the last eight years, taking only a nine-month break in between. Travis won three Grammy Awards during his “time off”, all for Best Southern Gospel Album.

The album's first single is “Faith in You”, and Travis will appear on GAC’s show Celebrity Close Up July 19 and 26.