Randy Travis makes surprise visit to Granbury Live

Country music legend Randy Travis made a surprise appearance at Granbury Live on Dec. 3, to see a performance from “A Few Ole Country Boys.”

Travis, who resides outside of Gainesville with his wife, Mary, traveled to Granbury last weekend to see his old friends, The Malpass Brothers, perform.

“They're really good friends. They've known each other for a long time,” said Kishla Hackler, general manager of Granbury Live. “They (Travis and his wife) came in and visited with the Malpass Brothers. We were sold out on Saturday night, so it was a great surprise to everyone and it was just a neat experience — especially for Granbury Live.”

Hackler, who had to keep Travis’ appearance a secret for a month, said she was “blown away” by the amount of respect that was shown for him during the show.

“I went on stage and told people, ‘He's a ticket holder just like you are,’ and to respect his privacy,” she said of Travis, who was in a wheelchair because of his medical issues. “The (audience) gave him a standing ovation when they brought Randy out, and everybody just clapped for him. Then, after the show when he went backstage, they made sure his wife was able to wheel him out before everybody just started getting in the aisles. Everybody was really respectful and I thought it was really cool. It was just a really, really great night.”

Hackler invited Carol "Sister" McRae of Granbury to meet Travis also. She described McRae as being the "matriarch of Granbury Live."

"Randy Travis has always been one of my VERY favorites and to meet him was such an honor," McRae said in a text message. "He has the nicest grin and sparkle in his eyes. His wife Mary is a treasure, too. She said how can she even think about having a bad day when he is so pleasant and positive all the time!"

Hackler said this was Travis’ first visit to Granbury — and he and his wife are already planning on making a return trip.

“He thought it was a great venue and he wants to come back,” she said. “His wife was really nice and was already talking about coming back. They just really loved it and thought it was a great, intimate place."

Travis also made a post on his public Facebook page about the experience.

“Mary and I loved seeing my fellow North Carolinians The Malpass Brothers in Texas last night at Granbury Live!” he wrote. “Thanks for having us out and keeping country music alive.”

“It was a really fun night and I was so glad it all worked out,” Hackler added. “I had to keep it a secret for over a month — and it was not an easy secret to keep.”