Randy Travis suffers stroke

Publicist: Country star in Texas hospital, undergoing surgery

FILE - In this June 7, 2013 file photo, Randy Travis performs on day 2 of the 2013 CMA Music festival at the LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. Travis has been hospitalized in Texas with viral cardiomyopathy. A news release from the singer's publicist says Travis was admitted to the hospital Sunday, July 7, 2013, in Dallas. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File)

NASHVILLE — The publicist for Randy Travis says the country music singer has suffered a stroke in a Texas hospital.

Publicist Kirt Webster said today that the 54-year-old Travis suffered the stroke while he was being treated for congestive heart failure because of a viral illness.

Webster said Travis was undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. He has been in critical condition.

Doctors said earlier Wednesday that Travis was in good health until three weeks before he was hospitalized, when he contracted a viral upper respiratory infection.

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