Honoring the Touring Legend, Randy “Baja” Fletcher

Randy “Baja” Fletcher’s journey in the music industry started with carrying equipment for a couple of bands in the 1960s and early ’70s and developed over the years into an unparalleled career that has lasted five decades. Fletcher was honored for his life’s work with the very first CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, but the front of the stage was never where Fletcher was most comfortable – behind the scenes is where he shined.

“Baja,” as he is affectionately known, worked for some of the industry’s top stars, including Brooks & Dunn, Waylon Jennings, Randy Travis, ZZ Top and Keith Urban, and has experienced amazing adventures along the way.

Getting his start in Virginia Beach, VA, Fletcher was on the road around 50 years, beginning his touring career at the age of 17 with Bill Deal and the Rhondels. He traveled with the band up and down the East Coast on solo dates, as well as part of packaged shows of the era that included pop and Motown greats. In May of 1969, Fletcher’s career was briefly interrupted when he answered the call to serve his country in the U.S. Army, including a tour of Vietnam. After his tour of duty, he returned to work with the Rhondels.

In 1978 his path crossed fully into the world of Country Music royalty when he began what became a 10-year run as stage and production manager for Jennings. During this time he also co-toured with Country legends Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson, and many more. In 1988 he began working with Travis (the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s first headlining tour), whom he would continue with for five years.

When Travis took a break from touring at the end of 1992, Fletcher began working with a then up-and-coming duo named Brooks & Dunn. For the next 18 years he served as production manager for their tours, which would not only help cement them as CMA’s most awarded duo, but help drive an era that would take Country Music touring to new heights.

Following his time with Brooks & Dunn, in 2011, Fletcher opened a new chapter in his career when he took on the role as production manager for another Country superstar, Keith Urban. He continued to work with Urban until his passing.

“I got to go places that I would never have dreamed this little hillbilly beach boy would end up,” recalled Fletcher in an interview for CMA Close Up Magazine. “I just count my blessings and say, ‘Why me?’ This life I’ve lived, I wish everybody could’ve been there with me when it happened. It was the coolest.”