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Travis Meadows (born 1965) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has released four albums and written a number of songs for other country artists.

Early life

Meadows was born in 1965 in Mississippi, growing up in Jackson. He began using drugs at an early age, and at 14 was diagnosed with bone cancer, which led to the loss of most of his right leg.

Career

At the age of 16, he began playing in local bands, starting his musical career as a drummer before beginning to play the harmonica and guitar by the time he was 21. During his early 20s, he performed with blues musicians such as Sam Myers, and moved to Gatlinburg, where he began writing songs. In his mid-20s, Meadows became a Christian missionary and later a preacher, traveling around the United States and overseas, as well as writing and performing Christian music. By his late 30s, however, he had become disenchanted with the church, and moved to Nashville to pursue a songwriting career. He signed a contract with Universal Music Publishing, releasing his debut album My life 101 I'm 2007, but at the same time his life-long drinking and drug habits led to a multi-year descent into alcoholism and abuse. After four trips to rehab, he succeeded in regaining sobriety in 2010.

In 2011, Meadows released a studio album, titled Killin' Uncle Buzzy, written in 2010 while he was recovering from his alcohol addiction during his fourth period in rehab. According to Meadows, a counselor had suggested keeping a journal, which led to him writing songs instead. In 2013, after his songwriting contract with Universal expired, he began writing independently before signing with independent record label Kobalt Music and releasing a third album, Old Ghosts & Unfinished Business.

In 2016, Meadows was featured in an episode of the television show American Elements.

In 2017, Meadows released his fourth album, First Cigarette. The album was produced by Jeremy Spillman and assisted by Jay Joyce, and is the first album by Meadows to receive label support. It is also his first album to appear on Billboard charts, reaching No. 21 on Heatseekers Albums and No. 48 on Independent Albums. It sold 1,100 copies in its debut week, reaching No. 17 on Americana/Folk Album Sales and No. 34 on Country Album Sales.

In April 2021, Earache Records reissued Killin' Uncle Buzzy for the record's 10th Anniversary, including a limited edition clear vinyl. This was the first time the album had been available on vinyl and released by a label.

Discography

Albums/EPs

Songs recorded by other artists

In addition to his solo work, Meadows has written songs for other country musicians.

References

1. ^ "Nashville's Most Badass Songwriter Travis Meadows Shares Tragic Life Stories". Rolling Stone Country. October 8, 2015. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
2. ^ "Exclusive: Songwriter Travis Meadows on writing Dierks Bentley's "Riser," his tragic past and finding redemption". Nashville Gab. July 16, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
3. "Travis Meadows : American Elements". CarbonTV. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
4. Hyman, Dan (October 13, 2017). "Why Songwriter Travis Meadows Is Nashville's Favorite Underdog". Rolling Stone.
5. Bjorke, Matt (October 24, 2017). "TOP 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: October 24, 2017". Roughstock.
6. "Country Album Sales". Billboard. November 4, 2017.
7. "Travis Meadows - Killin' Uncle Buzzy". Discogs. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
8. "10th Anniversary Reissue: Killin' Uncle Buzzy - Pre-order with Earache Records!". Travis Meadows. March 12, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
9. ^ "Search results: Travis Meadows". Billboard.
10. "My Life 101 – Travis Meadows". Amazon.
11. "Killin' uncle Buzzy – Travis Meadows". Amazon.
12. "Old Ghosts & Unfinished Business [Explicit] – Travis Meadows". Amazon.
13. Bjorke, Matt (October 24, 2017). "TOP 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: October 24, 2017". Roughstock.

• 1965 births
• Living people
• American country singer-songwriters
• Country musicians from Mississippi
• Singer-songwriters from Mississippi
• People from Sevier County, Tennessee
• Musicians from Jackson, Mississippi
• Country musicians from Tennessee
• American male singer-songwriters
• Singer-songwriters from Tennessee