AI helps Travis make new recording

But the 65-year-old traditional country singer released a new song, "Where That Came From," on Friday.

Artificial intelligence paved the way for the new music released by Warner Music Nashville.

The Grammy Award-winning Country Music Hall of Famer has had limited speech for over a decade, after surviving the stroke that left him with aphasia.

Artificial intelligence has been a complicated issue for the music community. The need to protect artists rights, and issues like copyright infringement and proper legislation were part of the equation.

In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Warner Music Nashville Co-Chair & Co-President, Cris Lacy said, "what would AI for good look like?"

"AI for good would be giving Randy Travis his voice back," she said.

Lacy connected with Travis and his longtime producer, Kyle Lehning, who were excited by the prospect of making music together again. Lehning remembered "Where That Came From," a song originally recorded - but not released - by James Dupre.

Dupre has a history with Travis. In the fall of 2019, Duprey was handpicked by Travis and his wife Mary as vocalist for "The Music of Randy Travis" tour with Travis' original band.

The ballad was written by Scotty Emerick and John Scott Sherrill.

Lehning and Travis helmed the process. Together, they spent months working with Travis's vocals and putting a human touch, millisecond by millisecond, on every note of "Where That Came From."

"Eleven years ago, I never thought I would be able to have a hand in music production of any kind," said Travis. "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."

Lacy said, "The motivation behind a musical recording is specific to each individual artist. The genesis of this particular track came from a visceral desire to restore what was taken away from someone we know and love - Randy Travis. It was inspired by his courage to continue as a vital contributor to the music community. In working with him to make new recordings, the byproduct is a gift that goes straight to our hearts. AI may have been a tool that helped us along, but it was a group of dedicated and passionate humans, including Randy himself, that brought this beautiful song to life."