Randy Travis Crew Member Allegedly Shot Dead By Wife
on Jul 11, 2023
Randy Travis is mourning the loss of one of his very close crew members—his lighting director, Thomas (Thom) Roberts.
Roberts was involved in Travis’ most recent tour, “More Life,” and has been traveling with the country music legend for the past 20 years.
The 68-year-old was found at around 8:00PM on the front porch of his home in East Nashville on Sunday (July 9, 2023). His wife, Christine Roberts, has been charged with criminal homicide after the cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the chest. Her bond was set at $100,000, and her court appearance is scheduled for July 12, 2023 at 12:35 PM.
The arrest warrant states that a neighbor called 911 after hearing a gunshot and finding Roberts lying on the porch.
After the authorities recovered the weapon, a pistol that Christine had placed right next to her, Christine admitted to the police that she shot her husband because he cheated on her. Sadly, Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene.
An anonymous neighbor said, “It sounded like it could have been a firework and that’s what we thought it was, and then the police showed up with all the lights and everything and then I saw him on the front porch.”
Travis posted on Facebook remembering “one of the very best stage lighting technicians in the business.”
One of Thom’s old co-workers, Michael Golden, who is now the Vice President of Bandit Lites, Inc. stated,
“Thom was a talented lighting professional and just as importantly he was a humble, yet extremely genuine man. I got to know Thom in the early 90s when I had the opportunity to work with him as the supplier of lighting for Vince Gill, and I consider Thom one of the ‘old guard’ that transformed the wild west of touring into a respected and professional career. Thom worked for many artists and institutions around the city, but anytime I ever heard his name a smile would cross my face. This city and our music community will miss Thom, but we will all be better because of his reputation and the foundation he helped build.”
Thomas Roberts was talented in the world of lighting. Before Roberts toured as the lighting director for Randy, he also supplied lighting for Vince Gill among other artist and venues. Roberts worked with Randy for 20 years leading up to his death, and was very well-known in the country music world.
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