The family of Randy Travis has spoken for the first time since news broke late Monday that the legendary country singer was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and was in serious condition.
A statement from his representatives on Monday confirmed that Travis, 54, was hospitalized viral cardiomyopathy, a heart ailment that could lead to heart failure. It is a weakening of the heart from an infection. While his reps gave no further details, his sister-in-law Teresa Traywick sent a statement to People confirming that he had surgery.
“We have been told he has had surgery,” Traywick said. “Our prayers are going out to him because my husband just had a heart attack last year, so it is in their family.”
Traywick added that Travis and his brother’s mother “passed away at an early age with her heart, so it is like these boys are following right in their footsteps.” She told People, “My prayers are with them. That's all I can say right now.”
Travis was scheduled to perform at Deadwood Mountain Grand in Deadwood, South Dakota on Wednesday, but that has been cancelled.
The singer of “Three Wooden Crosses," "Forever and Ever, Amen” and other hits had a rough 2012, which included two arrests for public intoxication. As E! News notes, he was arrested in February 2012 and August 2012.
In 2011, he collapsed onstage in Fort Worth. His doctors said it was caused by dehydration, allergy medication, caffeine and laryngitis.
image: press release