Ask American Profile

Randy Travis, Bill Press, Leah Remini

A friend told me Randy Travis got his start years ago in Nashville working as dishwasher in a club where he was allowed to sing. Can you tell me if that’s a true story and what the details are?
—Alice P., Georgia

Randy Travis did indeed cook catfish, wash dishes, and sing at The Nashville Palace. Born Randy Bruce Traywick in Marshville, N.C., he dropped out of high school in ninth grade, then ran away to Charlotte, N.C., where he won a talent contest hosted by Country City USA. Club owner Lib Hatcher offered him a job as a cook and regular performer. Hatcher became his manager and he recorded two singles for Paula Records before moving to Nashville, Tenn., in 1981. When Hatcher became manager of the Nashville Palace, Travis, then known as Randy Ray, worked there in the kitchen and on stage. He even recorded an independent live album there and was turned down by nearly every record label in Nashville before Warner Brothers Records signed him in 1985 and changed his name to Randy Travis. By the end of the decade, his records had sold more than 13 million copies. He married manager Lib Hatcher in 1991. The singer of hits such as A Man Ain’t Made of Stone, Forever and Ever, Amen, and Look Heart, No Hands, is also a successful actor in films such as The Rainmaker.

What happened to Bill Press, who used to co-host Crossfire with Robert Novak?
—Dorothy B., Arkansas

You can catch liberal commentator Bill Press squaring off with conservative three-time presidential contender Pat Buchanan on MSNBC’s Buchanan and Press. Press reunited with Buchanan, also a former Crossfire host for the news commentary and opinion show, after leaving CNN July 1. Press has won four Emmys, a Golden Mike award, and was named Best Commentator of the Year by the Associated Press in 1992. His twice-weekly newspaper column is syndicated by the Chicago Tribune syndicate. Press has had a long career in government, politics, and broadcasting. Besides six years as co-host of Crossfire, the Delaware native and former seminarian hosted The Spin Room for CNN. He was chairman of the California Democratic Party, worked for a state senator, and was director of the California Office of Planning and Research under Gov. Jerry Brown. Press earned a bachelor’s degree at Niagara University and a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

Can you tell me about the beautiful Leah Remini, who co-stars in the CBS comedy The King of Queens?
—Glenn A., Virginia

Leah Remini, 33, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mother is from Monaco, and her father is Italian. When she was 13, she moved to Los Angeles with her mother and sisters. Remini dropped out of high school to pursue her passion for acting—working as a waitress, insurance salesperson, and telemarketer before landing a speaking part on Head of the Class. Before The King of Queens, Remini co-starred with Sharon Lawrence in the NBC sitcom Fired Up. She’s also had recurring roles on Evening Shade and Cheers. Early in her career, she co-starred in the teen comedy series, Saved by the Bell. This has been an exciting time for the actress. She got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, singer Angelo Pagan, earlier this year, and you can catch her in the movie Old School, which was released Feb. 21, with Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, and Will Ferrell. Her additional films include Not Your Ordinary Girl and A Royal Affair. Remini lives in Los Angeles.

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