Randy Travis remained in critical condition Friday (July 12) at a Plano, Texas, hospital after suffering a stroke and undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

According to an update from the Baylor Health Care System, the surgery was completed shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday. The surgery is the latest episode in a series of medical problems Travis has experienced.

The 54-year-old singer-songwriter sought emergency treatment Sunday and was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, a heart condition caused by a virus. Viral cardiomyopathy is a disease of heart muscle in which the heart is abnormally enlarged, weakening the heart's ability to pump blood.

His publicist said the stroke was a complication of congestive heart failure.

Travis was first admitted to Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Texas, located approximately 35 miles from his ranch in Tioga, Texas. His condition was stabilized at Baylor McKinney before he was transferred to the Heart Hospital Baylor Plano in Plano, Texas, for more specialized care.

In a video announcement Wednesday morning, doctors said Travis had been in excellent health before developing a viral upper respiratory illness three weeks ago. Prior to the stroke, doctors said his condition had stabilized and was showing signs of improvement.

After signing to Warner Bros Records in 1985, Travis scored 16 No. 1 singles, including "On the Other Hand," "Forever and Ever, Amen", "Diggin' Up Bones," "I Won't Need You Anymore," "I Told You So," Deeper Than the Holler," "Is It Still Over" and "Three Wooden Crosses."

Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1986, he won Grammys for best male country vocal performances in 1987 and 1988.

[Edited 8/1/13 20:53pm]

Country music stars show their support for Randy Travis

Staff, The (Nashville) Tennessean

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Country music stars and fans joined together to urge prayers for Randy Travis overnight as he recovered from brain surgery following a stroke at a Texas hospital.

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Travis remained in critical condition after surgery Wednesday night to relieve pressure on his brain, publicist Kirt Webster said. The 54-year-old Grammy Award-winning singer had been improving while being treated for heart failure caused by a viral infection when he had the stroke.

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Steady concern for Travis, a popular and pivotal figure in country music, turned to active support as stars like Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and Martina McBride and the Grand Ole Opry used Twitter to join Webster's call for prayers. Hundreds of users reached out using the hashtag PrayforRandy.

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"We're all pulling for you Randy," Brad Paisley said via Twitter.

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The setback occurred hours after doctors said Travis was showing signs of improvement since the start of treatment Sunday for congestive heart failure.

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It was not clear what kind of stroke Travis suffered. The most common type of stroke is caused by a blood clot that travels to the brain. The other kind happens when a blood vessel in the head bursts or leaks. Stroke patients who get treatment quickly are usually given a drug to dissolve the clot that caused the stroke.

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William Gray and Michael Mack of the Baylor Health Care System in Texas described Travis' condition and hospitalization in a video statement earlier Wednesday.

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"His condition has stabilized, and he has shown signs of improvement," Mack said in the video. "On behalf of Mr. Travis' family, friends and associates, we would like to express our extreme gratitude for the overwhelming affection and support that Mr. Travis has received."

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The Three Wooden Crosses singer was in good health until three weeks before he was hospitalized, when he contracted a viral upper respiratory infection, Gray said.

The viral illness led to a weakened heart muscle that eventually worsened into heart failure.

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Travis was admitted to Baylor Medical Center McKinney near his home in Tioga, about 60 miles north of Dallas, through the emergency room Sunday. The singer underwent a procedure to have a pump inserted by catheter that helps increase blood flow before being transferred to The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano.

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Travis' illness comes as he's been trying to put his life back together following a series of embarrassing public incidents involving alcohol. Travis pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in January following an arrest last year and received two years of probation and a $2,000 fine. He was required to spend at least 30 days at an alcohol treatment facility and complete 100 hours of community service.

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He recently made several public appearances, including a spot on the Country Music Association Festival's nightly concert lineup and a poignant performance at George Jones' funeral.

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Webster said from the hospital Travis' fiancee Mary Beougher was at his side and that he is surrounded by family and friends, including his brother, Dennis Traywick, and his pastor, Jeff Perry. Kenny Rogers, the Oak Ridge Boys, Chuck Norris and several others have called to check in on Travis.

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The North Carolina-born Travis is a traditional country purist known for hits Forever and Ever, Amen and I Told You So. His 1986 Warner Bros. debut album Storms of Life sold 4 million copies, and helped return country music to the sound of Hank Williams and George Jones.

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"I always feel like he's part of our family, he's in our family," Keith Urban said in an interview Wednesday morning in Nashville. "And I was one of those guys in Australia that bought Storms of Life and became a Randy fan very quickly in late '80s, and I really feel for him right now."

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Response from fellow country county aritists was swift on Wednesday night as news spread that Travis was in surgery, with Twitter posts beginning minutes after the news was announced.

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@RodneyAtkins: Just heard @randytravis had a stroke and is in surgery. Praying for Randy, the medical staff and his family. #PrayForRandy

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@JoeNichols : Praying for @randytravis today. Y'all do the same. #countrylegend

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Grand Ole Opry @opry: Please continue praying for @randytravis. RT #PrayersForRandy

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Hillary Scott @HillaryScottLA: Praying myself, and asking all to pray for Randy Travis.

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Lee Greenwood @TheLeeGreenwood: God be with the medical team that's working with @randytravis this evening.

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Martina McBride @martinamcbride: Praying for Randy Travis..

USA Today

Vince Gill wishes friend Randy Travis well

Can't say that I'm personally a fan but I respect his...

and sincerely, do wish him well!

Randy Travis sedated, remains critical

9:32 a.m. EDT July 13, 2013 USA Today

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NASHVILLE (AP) — Hospital officials say country music star Randy Travis remains in critical condition and has been under heavy sedation since surgery following a stroke.

The 54-year-old singer has been hospitalized since Sunday after suffering congestive heart failure due to a viral illness.

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Travis suffered the stroke Wednesday night at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and doctors performed surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

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A hospital statement says the Three Wooden Crosses singer is resting comfortably and that his family continues to ask for prayers and support.

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The Grammy Award-winning singer has been surrounded by family and friends while in the hospital and received a visit Thursday from George Jones' widow, Nancy, who played music for her late husband's longtime friend.

Randy Travis poses at a CMA Music Festival concert at Nashville's LP Field in June.Travis has been hospitalized in Dallas with viral cardiomyopathy. A news release from the singer's publicist says Travis was admitted to the hospital July 7. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

poor guy

Doctors speak about Randy: July 15, 2013

Randy Travis travels 'the road to recovery,' fiance says

By Alan Duke, CNN

updated 12:40 PM EDT, Thu August 1, 2013

Country singer Randy Travis left a Texas hospital and entered a physical therapy facility, his publicist said Wednesday.

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The release and transfer came three weeks after Travis was admitted to The Heart Hospital at Baylor Plano for treatment of congestive heart failure.

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He later suffered a stroke, which doctors said was a complication of the heart failure.

"Thanks to all the fans and friends for your continued prayers and support as Randy continues on the road to recovery," his fiance Mary Davis said in a written statement Wednesday.

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Travis, 54, was initially hospitalized July 7 at Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, Texas, with a presumptive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, according to publicist Kirt Webster. The singer transferred to The Heart Hospital the next day.

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Travis' illness is related to his "recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy," one of his doctors said. Viral cardiomyopathy is a disorder where a virus attacks the muscles of the heart, causing the heart to beat slower, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. In some cases, the heart can stop, it said.

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Travis had a tough year in 2012 with arrests for assault and public intoxication, which earned him probation.

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Travis was at the forefront of the "New Traditionalist" movement in the 1980s and 1990s, but he faded as the '90s wore on. He made a comeback after turning to gospel music in 1999. His song "Three Wooden Crosses" won song of the year in 2003 from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Randy Travis Sets Release Date for New Album, ‘Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am’

By Amy Sciarretto - August 27, 2013 3:00 PM

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WBR

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Randy Travis had a rough summer. He suffered a stoke, had emergency surgery to save his life and is currently in recovery. But despite his intense health issues, the singer will release his 21st studio effort, ‘Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am,’ this fall.

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While Travis himself has inspired the new generation of country stars, here, he chooses to pay tribute to those who exerted influence over his music and catalog. Hence, the title.

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“When I think of my musical heroes of yesteryear, or the younger stars of this year, I am reminded that it is true we learn from the ones ahead of us, and teach the ones that follow. hey are the reason I chose to make this album,” the singer explains. That’s a beautiful idea, and will make Travis’ new album resonate that much more.

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On ‘The Man I Am,’ Travis performs songs by legends like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell and more. It’s 13 tracks strong. Travis’ single ‘Tonight I’m Playing Possum’ is currently grabbing radio spins.

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Travis has traveled this sort of creative path before with his 25th anniversary celebration album, on which he collaborated with modern acts such as Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood and Tim McGraw.

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Randy Travis’ ‘Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am’ will hit store shelves on Oct. 1.

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Randy Travis, ‘Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am’ Track Listing:

1. ‘Someday We’ll Look Back’
2. ‘Big Butter and Egg Man’
3. ‘What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana’
4. ‘Ever Changing Woman’
5. ‘Pennies From Heaven’
6. ‘Thanks a Lot’
7. ‘Trouble in Mind’
8. ‘My Mary’
9. ‘Saginaw, Michigan’
10. ‘Always on a Mountain (When I Fall)’
11. ‘(Because) You Asked Me To’
12. ‘Why Baby Why’
13. ‘Tonight I’m Playing Possum‘ (Feat. Joe Nichols)