Jamey Johnson Honors Randy Travis With “Three Wooden Crosses” at ACM Honors
At the 18th Annual ACM Honors on August 20, country music paused to celebrate one of its greatest legends: Randy Travis. The evening’s most powerful moment came when Jamey Johnson took the stage at The Pinnacle in Nashville to perform “Three Wooden Crosses,” Travis’ iconic 2002 hit and 16th No. 1 single.
Backed only by his acoustic guitar, Johnson delivered the ballad with a hushed reverence, his voice carrying the weight of every lyric:
“There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway / Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows…”
Against a backdrop of a painted sunset sky, the performance unfolded like a prayer, paying tribute to the man whose voice defined a movement in country music.
@musicmayhemmagazine.com @JameyJohnsonOfficial paid tribute to country music icon @Randy Travis with a heartfelt performance of “Three Wooden Crosses” during the 18th ACM Honors, where Travis was honored with the ACM Milestone Award. #JameyJohnson #RandyTravis #ThreeWoodenCrosses #CountryMusic #Tribute ♬ original sound – Music Mayhem
Randy Travis Receives the Milestone Award
Following the tribute, Randy Travis — accompanied by his wife, Mary — walked on stage to a thunderous standing ovation as he accepted the ACM Milestone Award. Mary spoke on his behalf, weaving his legacy into the song that had just been performed:
“Between your birthstone and your headstone, it’s the milestones along the way that matter the most… It’s not what you take when you go, but what you leave behind.”
She reflected on the remarkable reach of Travis’ music:
“Randy never thought his music would have the impact it has had, or that he would be standing here decades later surrounded by so many that shaped him and gave him a place to belong. This award belongs to y’all as much as it does to him.”
When she handed him the microphone, Travis, smiling widely, simply offered: “Thank you, a lot.”
Why This Honor Matters
The ACM Milestone Award, created in memory of longtime ACM Awards producer Gene Weed, is reserved for extraordinary achievements in country music. Travis’ influence is immeasurable — as a leader of the New Traditionalist movement, he helped shape the sound of artists from Clint Black to Chris Stapleton.
Even after his life-altering stroke in 2013, Travis has continued to inspire, becoming an advocate for stroke awareness and healthcare rights, while also embracing new technology like AI-assisted vocals to preserve his unreleased works.
A Star-Studded Night of Tributes
The evening featured performances from a lineup of stars including HARDY, Ashley McBryde, Carter Faith, Karen Fairchild, Carly Pearce, Luke Bryan, and more. Honorees ranged from Lainey Wilson (ACM Artist-Songwriter Award) to Jelly Roll (ACM Lifting Lives Award) and Eric Church (ACM Icon Award). But it was the Randy Travis tribute that stood as the soul of the evening — a reminder of the timeless power of his voice and songs.
How Fans Can Watch
Fans who missed the live event will have the chance to relive the ceremony when CMT Hot 20: ACM Honors Edition airs on Saturday, September 27. The special three-hour broadcast will feature backstage interviews, highlights, and the unforgettable moment Jamey Johnson honored Randy Travis with “Three Wooden Crosses.”
