“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
When Randy Travis suffered a devastating stroke in 2013, the country music world mourned not just for his health, but for the potential loss of one of the genre’s most distinctive voices. For over a decade, fans resigned themselves to the reality that they might never hear new music from the Country Music Hall of Famer again. That all changed in May 2024 with the release of “Where That Came From,” a song that represents not just a musical comeback but a technological milestone.
The story behind this song is almost as moving as the track itself. After Travis’s stroke left him with aphasia and unable to sing professionally, his team at Warner Music Nashville embarked on an ambitious project: using artificial intelligence to recreate his iconic baritone. Working with Travis’s longtime producer Kyle Lehning, they developed AI models trained on vocal stems spanning his entire career from 1985 to 2013.
The result is nothing short of remarkable. When the finished product was played in the studio for the first time, Travis responded with what observers described as a “Cheshire grin,” while his wife Mary was moved to tears, saying “you forget how much you missed it until you hear it again.” Fellow country artists like Carrie Underwood, Cole Swindell, and Clay Walker were invited to preview the song and reacted with “a mix of joy and wonder.”
What makes “Where That Came From” particularly special is that it’s not just a technological achievement—it’s a beautiful song in its own right. Written by veteran songwriters Scotty Emerick and John Scott Sherrill, the ballad explores themes of irreplaceable love and the impossibility of finding another connection like the one that’s been lost.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman with captivating dark eyes that brightened when she smiled, bringing warmth and light into the singer’s life. Her swaying dress and soft voice evoke a sense of grace and tenderness. The chorus—”And there ain’t no more where that came from”—perfectly captures the central theme: some people and connections are truly one of a kind.
As the song progresses, we hear the singer’s realization that despite his initial belief that there might be other options out there, the woman he lost was truly irreplaceable. It’s a universal sentiment delivered through Travis’s unmistakable voice, creating a powerful emotional resonance that transcends the technological marvel of its creation.
The music video adds another layer to this remarkable story, featuring footage from the recording studio and capturing the reactions of Travis, his family, and friends as they hear the track for the first time. These genuine moments of emotion remind us that behind the technology is a very human story of loss, resilience, and the enduring power of music.
“Where That Came From” debuted at number 45 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, becoming Travis’s first solo single to chart since 2005. More importantly, it represents a new frontier in how technology can be used not to replace artists, but to help them overcome physical limitations and continue sharing their gifts with the world.
In his announcement of the song, Travis wrote, “Eleven years ago I never thought I would be able to have a hand in music production of any kind, 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.” It’s a sentiment that perfectly captures the spirit of this remarkable musical milestone.
Video
Lyrics
She had eyes like diamonds
And they caught the light
Oh, but they were dark and deeper
Than the night
And when she’d smile
Out came the sun
And there ain’t no more where that came from
She had a dress that swayed
All around her knees
And a voice as soft
As a summer breeze
A touch that told me
I was the one
And there ain’t no more where that came from
I must have said to myself
There might be somebody else out there somewhere
I must have said to myself, it’s a great big world
Girls are everywhere
Oh, but now I know
There was only one
And there ain’t no more where that came from
And it ain’t like I ain’t been trying
To find someone
There just ain’t no more where that came from
Oh, where that came from