Album: Old 8x10

Introduction
"Old 8x10" is the title of the third studio album released by American country artist Randy Travis, on July 12, 1988. The album was produced by Kyle Lehning and received extensive praise for its exceptional mix of timeless country noise and Travis' hallmark smooth vocals. The album was a commercial success, reaching both the Billboard Country Albums chart at number one and number 31 on the Billboard 200. It has been accredited multi-platinum by the RIAA for over two million copies offered in the United States.

Background
Randy Travis had currently cemented his status amongst the prominent country artists in the late 1980s prior to the release of "Old 8x10". Following the heightened success of his debut album "Storms of Life" (1986) and the similarly well-received sophomore album "Always & Forever" (1987), expectations were high for his third deal. Thanks to the collaboration with manufacturer Kyle Lehning, Travis had the ability to craft the best mix of standard country vibes and contemporary production strategies that made "Old 8x10" such a hit.

Songs and Reception
"Old 8x10" generated 4 songs, each of which contributed to both the album's business success and critical praise. The lead single "Honky Tonk Moon" was released in April 1988-- a classic honky-tonk tune loaded with pedal steel guitar and memorable tune. The tune topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, setting the phase for the album release.

In August 1988, the second single "Deeper Than the Holler" was launched, bringing yet another chart-topping hit for Travis. The song is a moving love ballad, with smart lyrics comparing the profoundness of love to numerous rural metaphors such as the depth of the shriek and the height of the evergreen.

Following "Deeper Than the Holler", "Is It Still Over?" was released in December 1988. This mid-tempo tune questions whether a past relationship is really over, including Travis' emotive vocals that resonate completely with styles of yearning and heartbreak. It also reached the top of the nation charts.

The last single, "Promises", was launched in August 1989. The song ended up being yet another testament to Travis' proficiency in delivering heartfelt love tunes, peaking at number 17 on the nation charts.

The album received favorable evaluations from music critics. Rolling Stone praised the record as "a regularly important, heartfelt, and carefully crafted album", further describing Travis as "a prodigiously gifted vocalist". AllMusic granted the album 4 out of 5 star, calling it "underscoring [Travis'] position as the ruling neo-country/traditionalist of the '80s".

Accolades and Legacy
"Old 8x10" made Randy Travis various awards, including the CMA for Album of the Year (1989) and ACM for Top Male Vocalist (1988). Travis' ongoing success helped to introduce a new age of conventional c and w artists in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including artists like Clint Black, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks.

Over three decades considering that the album's release, "Old 8x10" remains a standout in the Randy Travis catalog, with a number of its songs still receiving regular airplay on timeless country radio stations. The album continues to stand as a testament to Travis' capability to bridge the gap in between standard c and w and the more contemporary leanings of a new generation, solidifying his place as one of the category's most influential artists.