US country singer Randy Travis currently lies in a "critical condition" after being admitted to a Dallas hospital on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. 54 year-old Travis is said be being treated for viral cardiomyopathy, which is a condition that prevents the heart contracting - therefore pumping blood - as efficiently as it should. The serious condition, in Travis' case a viral one, can lead to heart failure yet can be treated with medication, surgically implanted devices, or a full heart transplant. It is not known why or where Travis came into contact with the virus but his body's defences could have been weakened by the tiring string of touring he has undertaken recently, having performed at several high-profile occasions including the funeral of 'White Lightning' singer/songwriter George Jones and Country Music Association Festival's nightly concert series.

Randy Travis
Randy Travis Is A Successful Country Musician But Has Had Problems With Drink In The Past.

The North Carolina-born country singer had also recently set about straightening his reputation after several alcohol-related public incidents that the 'Three Wooden Crosses' singer would rather put behind him. As reported by CBS News, Travis was arrested for public intoxication in January 2012 after police responded to reports of a suspicious car parked outside a Baptist church, with Travis found inside smelling of alcohol with an open bottle of wine in his possession. He was detained for four hours and later apologised for his actions, saying he's been celebrating the Super Bowl. However, in August of the same year, Travis was found lying drunk and naked on a remote stretch of Texan road after losing control of his Pontiac Trans Am. He resisted police's intervention and also reportedly threatened "to shoot and kill the troopers working the case," thus receiving two years probation, a $2,000 fine and a 180-day suspended jail sentence.

Watch The Video For Randy Travis' Song 'He Walked On Water':

Now the Grammy winning singer and guitarist is fighting for his life in hospital yet has still been nominated for a 2013 CMY Music Award for 'Collaborative Video of the Year' for his collaboration with The Avett Brothers. If he does make a full recovery, he'll have to take his foot of the gas gig-wise whilst he recuperates and definitely lay off the alcohol if he's to give himself a fighting chance.