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.
According to a story by the (Nashville) Tennessean, Travis remained in critical condition after surgery Wednesday night to relieve pressure on his brain, publicist Kirt Webster said. Travis, 54, had been improving while being treated for heart failure caused by a viral infection when he had the stroke.
Steady concern for Travis 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.
"We're all pulling for you Randy," the Tennessean reported Brad Paisley said via Twitter.
The Tennessean said The setback occurred hours after doctors said Travis was showing signs of improvement since the start of treatment Sunday for congestive heart failure.
The Tennessean said it's unclear exactly 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 t he head bursts or leaks. Stroke patients who get treatment quickly are usually given a drug to dissolve the clot that caused the stroke.
The Tennesean said response from fellow country artists was swift on Wednesday night as news spread that Travis was in surgery, with Twitter posts beginning minutes after the news was announced.
For example, the Tennessean reported, @RodneyAtkins: Just heard @randytravis had a stroke and is in surgery. Praying for Randy, the medical staff and his family. #PrayForRandy
The Tennessean said many others tweeted prayer requests.
@JoeNichols : Praying for @randytravis today. Y'all do the same. #countrylegend
Grand Ole Opry @opry: Please continue praying for @randytravis. RT #PrayersForRandy
Hillary Scott @HillaryScottLA: Praying myself, and asking all to pray for Randy Travis.
Lee Greenwood @TheLeeGreenwood: God be with the medical team that's working with @randytravis this evening.
Martina McBride @martinamcbride: Praying for Randy Travis..
The Ten nesean said the North Carolina-born Travis is a traditional country purist known for hits Forever and Ever, Amen and I Told You So and more.
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.
