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Randy Travis suffers stroke, undergoes surgery

Grammy-winning country singer Randy Travis, who has been hospitalized in Dallas since Sunday, suffered a stroke Wednesday and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, his publicist said in a statement.Later Wednesday, the Baylor Health Care System said in an update on its web site that the singer was out of surgery and in critical condition. Travis, 54, was being treated for viral cardi

Grammy-winning country singer Randy Travis, who has been hospitalized in Dallas since Sunday, suffered a stroke Wednesday and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, his publicist said in a statement.

Later Wednesday, the Baylor Health Care System said in an update on its web site that the singer was out of surgery and in critical condition.

Travis, 54, was being treated for viral cardiomyopathy, an infection of the heart muscle. He suffered the stroke as a complication of his congestive heart failure, an earlier statement said.

That announcement came just hours after doctors spoke publicly for the first time about his condition, saying the singer had been responding to treatment three days after being hospitalized.

"His family and friends here with him at the hospital request your prayers and support," the statement said.

Randy Travis

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Randy Travis

The singer is a country music legend who has extended his reach to film and television.

The singer, who lives in Tioga about 60 miles north of Dallas, was in excellent health until three weeks ago when he developed a viral upper respiratory illness, one of his doctors said.

Travis has won multiple Grammys, Country Music Awards and other honors, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His successful music career led to multiple roles on television and in movies. He is best known for his hits "Three Wooden Crosses" and "Diggin' Up Bones."

This report contains information from Reuters.