Country music icon couldn't sing after near-fatal stroke. He used AI to release a new song.

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

After experiencing a stroke 11 years ago, it was feared that country music legend Randy Travis would never release music again. Now the singer has dropped a new single for the first time, thanks to the help of A.I.

"Thanks to CBS Sunday Morning for explaining the full story on the groundbreaking and industry-defining creation of Randy Travis' new song, 'Where That Came From,'" a post from Travis' Facebook page reads.

"This song sets the standard for the use of A.I. in music. Artist's approval and involvement is paramount. Randy is over the moon with excitement about this song, Lee Cowan's care with this story and the team working to make it all come together. And most of all, beaming with appreciation at all of his fans' love, comments and reactions to hearing his voice again, just in a different way," the post continued.

Travis, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, lost his ability to sing after experiencing a stroke in July 2013. While the singer has made several sporadic stage appearances, Travis has yet to release new music — until now.

• Country music legend's son had surgery Sunday and is 'already improving'
• Country music world praying for Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie Xo — here's why
• Son of country music legend who was re-hospitalized moving in 'right direction'
• 'American Idol': These Adele songs get a country cover
• Beyoncé boost: Rising country music star Reyna Roberts makes Hot 100 debut

With the support of Travis and his record label, Warner Music Nashville, fans have a new A.I.-generated song from the 65-year-old singer that actually sounds good and real, unlike others heard before.

"It doesn't sound good, and it doesn't sound real, because it's not," Cris Lacy, the label's co-chair and co-president told CBS News about Travis' voice on past A.I.-generated tracks he heard.

So that got Travis' team thinking about "what would A.I. for good look like for us," Lacy said, "And the first thing that came to mind was, we would give Randy Travis his voice back."

To do that, producer Kyle Lehning and Warner Music pulled 42 of Travis' tracks, stripped away the music and left just the vocals. They then got a "surrogate," voice in the form of country music singer James DuPre.

The A.I. program, per CBS, takes Travis' voice and overlays DuPre's singing.

The end result was "Where That Came From," which not only left Travis' family in a state of amazement, the song also left country music stars like Cody Johnson, Cole Swindell and Clay Walker in awe.

"I'm so happy for my friend - the legendary @therandytravis," Walker wrote on Instagram. "Thank you for letting me hear this new song… it's going to blow people away."

"Randy Travis has meant a lot to me over the years. He was my very first concert and one of the reasons I decided to sign with Warner," Swindell wrote on Instagram. "It has been such an honor to be able to call him a friend and to be able to hear this song with him for the first time is something I'll never forget. I have a feeling it's gonna hit everyone just like it did me."

As for Travis, the track is more than just a new single. It is also a victory.

"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," Travis wrote on Instagram. "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."

"Where That Came From" was officially released on Friday, May 3. You can listen to the song below:

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.