NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Randy Travis and his wife-manager, Elizabeth Travis, have divorced. Family spokeswoman Maureen O’Connor confirmed Friday that the divorce was final.

No further details were given, but an earlier statement that the two had “parted ways” said that Elizabeth Travis, 67, would continue to be Travis’ personal manager. The statement asked for “respect for their privacy during this time.”

Neither could be reached for comment.

A petition for dissolution of marriage was filed by Randy Travis, 51, in Albuquerque, N.M., on Thursday. They have a home in Santa Fe. The petition calls for an equal split of assets but offers no clues about why the Travises split, other than saying a “state of incompatibility exists between the parties.”

The couple’s 34-year business and personal relationship began when a teenage Travis won a talent contest at the Charlotte, N.C., nightclub that his future wife owned in the mid-1970s with her first husband. They married in 1991.

They moved to Nashville in the early 1980s. Travis was turned down by most of the record labels in town because he was considered too country.

Under her guidance, he eventually landed a record deal and put out his first album, “Storms of Life,” in 1985. Soon the singer with the smooth baritone and straight-up style revolutionized the genre.

Britain mints Lennon coin

LONDON – Most British coins bear the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II — but now she’s been joined by John Lennon, honored Friday with a commemorative coin struck by the Royal Mint.

It was a triumph for Beatles fans, who used e-mail voting and social networks to buttress support for Lennon in a public poll to determine whose face should be on the special coin.

Lennon — whose songwriting credits include “Imagine” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” — came out far ahead of author Jane Austen and several other figures in the balloting.

The former Beatle, who would have turned 70 this year, will join William Shakespeare, Winston Churchill, Charles Darwin, Florence Nightingale among British luminaries whose images have graced special coins.

World Series has Bieber fever

NEW YORK – Game 3 of the World Series will be targeted to teenyboppers, thanks to Justin Bieber.

Major League Baseball says Bieber will debut the music video for his song “Never Say Never” today during Game 3’s pre-show on Fox.

The best-of-seven series is between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won the first two games of the series.

Game 3 will take place in Arlington, Texas. Former “American Idol” champion Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem in her home state.

The 16-year-old Bieber sports gear from both teams in the “Never Say Never” clip, which was shot at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

T.I.’s wife charged with Ecstasy possession

LOS ANGELES – Prosecutors have charged rapper T.I.’s wife with one count of misdemeanor drug possession stemming from an arrest last month on the Sunset Strip.

Prosecutors charged Tameka Cottle with possession of Ecstasy on Friday, and she is due in court for an arraignment Monday in Beverly Hills. The 35-year-old was arrested along with her husband on Sept. 1 during a traffic stop.

A charge evaluation sheet said deputies found four Ecstasy pills on the Grammy Award winner.

 

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