Randy Travis
is awake and alert, according to his doctors, though still listed in critical condition.
Dr.
Michael Mack, cardiac surgeon and medical director of cardiovascular disease at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, Dr.
Gary Erwin, an intensivist at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and
Mary Davis, Travis’ fiancee, release an updated video.
“He has what’s called idiopathic cardiomyopathy, which means he has scarring of his heart muscle that is causing his heart to be weak and not able to support his circulation without help of either medical devices or medication,” says Mack. “We performed a biopsy of his heart muscle and it shows scar tissue. It does not show active infection. From the appearance on echocardiograms, which are images of his heart, this is not the appearance of either drugs or alcohol causing the heart condition.”
Doctors say that Travis does have a family history of cardiomyopathy. Travis does remain on intravenous medications to help support his heart. As a result of the heart condition and the stroke, He was put on a ventilator to help him breathe during his hospitalization and remains on the ventilator.
“We are decreasing that support daily,” says Erwin. “We are seeing improvements in brain scans showing decreased swelling of his brain. He is awake and alert interacting with his family and friends and beginning to start some early physical therapy. We do anticipate that he will need to stay here at The Heart Hospital for another two to three weeks to stabilize his heart during which time we will begin aggressive physical therapy. After he is discharged from here, we anticipate transfer to an inpatient facility where can receive aggressive physical therapy. We anticipate it will take months to recover from the stroke.”
Travis’ fiancee, Mary Davis, thanked fans and friends for their support and prayers. “I know that those are prayers that have helped mend his heart along with the skilled hands of the physicians and doctors and nurses here at The Heart Hospital of Baylor in Plano. I know that Randy feels each and every one of those. He feels the hands of the doctors and the care of the nurses and the love of his fans. His friends and family have all been touched by that. He is responding well to voices and he sees and he understands. He’s miles beyond where any of us thought he would be a few days ago.
“It’s heart-warming to see that we have such a strong person under there that’s willing to fight with us. We all know now that we had greatness to work with. We ask for your continued support. I know that Randy will be so touched by that when he understands the magnitude of it all. So thank you and I appreciate everything everybody has done here at the hospital to give us the outcome that we’ve received. With the understanding now in retrospect that this could have occurred anywhere at anytime. We were in the finest place we could be to have the best outcome that we could ever have. Thank you.”
• • •
As a complication of his congestive heart failure, Randy Travis has suffered a stroke and underwent surgery last night (July 10) to relieve pressure on his brain. He is listed in critical condition. His family and friends with him at the hospital request your prayers and support.
Travis was admitted to Texas hospital on Sunday and underwent placement of an impella peripheral left ventricular assist device.
He is best known for “I Told You So,” “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” and “Deeper Than The Holler.”
[Updated] Randy Travis Recovering From Stroke
/by Jessica NicholsonRandy Travis
Update: Randy Travis is awake and alert, according to his doctors, though still listed in critical condition.
Dr. Michael Mack, cardiac surgeon and medical director of cardiovascular disease at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, Dr. Gary Erwin, an intensivist at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and Mary Davis, Travis’ fiancee, release an updated video.
“He has what’s called idiopathic cardiomyopathy, which means he has scarring of his heart muscle that is causing his heart to be weak and not able to support his circulation without help of either medical devices or medication,” says Mack. “We performed a biopsy of his heart muscle and it shows scar tissue. It does not show active infection. From the appearance on echocardiograms, which are images of his heart, this is not the appearance of either drugs or alcohol causing the heart condition.”
Doctors say that Travis does have a family history of cardiomyopathy. Travis does remain on intravenous medications to help support his heart. As a result of the heart condition and the stroke, He was put on a ventilator to help him breathe during his hospitalization and remains on the ventilator.
“We are decreasing that support daily,” says Erwin. “We are seeing improvements in brain scans showing decreased swelling of his brain. He is awake and alert interacting with his family and friends and beginning to start some early physical therapy. We do anticipate that he will need to stay here at The Heart Hospital for another two to three weeks to stabilize his heart during which time we will begin aggressive physical therapy. After he is discharged from here, we anticipate transfer to an inpatient facility where can receive aggressive physical therapy. We anticipate it will take months to recover from the stroke.”
Travis’ fiancee, Mary Davis, thanked fans and friends for their support and prayers. “I know that those are prayers that have helped mend his heart along with the skilled hands of the physicians and doctors and nurses here at The Heart Hospital of Baylor in Plano. I know that Randy feels each and every one of those. He feels the hands of the doctors and the care of the nurses and the love of his fans. His friends and family have all been touched by that. He is responding well to voices and he sees and he understands. He’s miles beyond where any of us thought he would be a few days ago.
“It’s heart-warming to see that we have such a strong person under there that’s willing to fight with us. We all know now that we had greatness to work with. We ask for your continued support. I know that Randy will be so touched by that when he understands the magnitude of it all. So thank you and I appreciate everything everybody has done here at the hospital to give us the outcome that we’ve received. With the understanding now in retrospect that this could have occurred anywhere at anytime. We were in the finest place we could be to have the best outcome that we could ever have. Thank you.”
• • •
As a complication of his congestive heart failure, Randy Travis has suffered a stroke and underwent surgery last night (July 10) to relieve pressure on his brain. He is listed in critical condition. His family and friends with him at the hospital request your prayers and support.
Travis was admitted to Texas hospital on Sunday and underwent placement of an impella peripheral left ventricular assist device.
He is best known for “I Told You So,” “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Diggin’ Up Bones,” and “Deeper Than The Holler.”
White House Announces 'Best Practices' For Advertising Networks and Online Piracy
/by Jessica NicholsonUnder the guidelines, ad networks will maintain and post policies discouraging or preventing sites that sell counterfeit goods, engage in copyright piracy or otherwise violate laws. They will also accept and process notices from rights holders about sites in question, provide guidance for the content of a “proper” notice, and identify the “designated agent” to receive a notice.
“With more than 30 trillion individual pages on the web, online piracy and counterfeit remains a challenge,” said Susan Molinari, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations at Google. “Google takes that challenge seriously. Using cutting-edge technology like YouTube’s Content ID and innovative copyright removal tools for Web Search, we develop and deploy antipiracy solutions with the support of hundreds of Google employees. In addition to developing legitimate, innovative, and convenient content offerings (such as Google Play and YouTube, through which our partners together generate hundreds of millions of dollars), we continue to develop solutions to help fight piracy and counterfeit online.”
“It is critical that such efforts be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with all applicable laws and with the Administration’s broader Internet policy principles emphasizing privacy, free speech, fair process, and competition,” it was said in a statement from the White House. “We encourage the companies participating to continue to work with all interested stakeholders, including creators, rightholders, and public interest groups, to ensure that their practices are transparent and fully consistent with the democratic values that have helped the Internet to flourish. We also encourage other participants in the online advertising space to consider adopting voluntary initiatives that protect ad networks, publishers, advertisers, creators, rightholders, and above all, consumers.”
“These best practices are another step in our ongoing collaborative efforts to serve consumers and prevent illegal activity,” says RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman. “They show a growing recognition that all intermediaries – from advertisers and payment processors to ISPs, search engines, mobile ad networks, registrars and others – have a meaningful role to play in building a better ecosystem for legitimate digital commerce. The real test will come as these practices are implemented, and whether they have a demonstrable impact. We will be monitoring closely. The good news is that today there are independent businesses – such as WhiteBullet and Veri-Site – that provide intellectual property risk assessments of websites, and can help responsible companies independently assess whether they want to do business with rogue sites. We are committed to working with the ad networks to achieve effective results.”
Industry Photos: NAMM Summer Conference
/by Jessica NicholsonThe music product industry recently converged in Nashville to celebrate the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Summer show. Held July 11-13, the event boasted 422 exhibiting companies representing more than 1150 brands (a 12 percent increase over the previous year). The conference included 157 first-time exhibiting companies and many returning brands.
The conference offered plentiful opportunities for musical showcases, exhibits and educational seminars. Professional development included the Retail Boot Camp, the Retail Summit and the Idea Center sessions. “Insight,” hosted by Vince Gill and Tom Bedell on the first night of the show, brought together the music industry’s iconic names for a panel covering everything from lessons learned during their careers, to what the leaders would do if they were king for a day, and their first concert.
Honoring NAMM’s Top 100 Retailers has become one of the most-anticipated facets of NAMM’s summer show. Beacock Music Company was honored as the Dealer of the Year during an awards event July 12.
Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Hartley Peavey, Sterling Ball, and Fred Gretsch appear during NAMM’s summer event at Music City Center. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NAMM
Pictured: Attendees in the trade room at NAMM’s summer event at Music City Center. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NAMM
Pictured (Top L-R): Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar Corp. Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Martin Guitars Chris Martin, president of The Gretsch Company Fred Gretsch, D’Addario & Company CEO Jim D’Addario, musician Sterling Ball, co-owner of Taylor Guitars Bob Taylor, president of Sabian Andy Zildjian. (Bottom L-R): NAMM CEO and President Joe Lamond, CEO of Peavey Electronics Corporation Hartley Peavey, founder of Two Old Hippies Tom Bedell, and singer/songwriter Vince Gill. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NAMM
Pictured (L-R): Chris Martin, Andy Zildjian, Bob Taylor, and Jim D’Addario appear during NAMM’s summer event at Music City Center. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NAMM
Pictured (L-R):Nancy Shapiro, President and CEO of NAMM Joe Lamond, Executive Director of NAMM Foundation Mary Luehrsen, and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NAMM
Americana Music Festival and Conference Expands Lineup
/by Jessica NicholsonThe list of artist additions to the Festival & Conference lineup is below. For more information, visit americanamusic.org.
Alanna Royale
Amanda Shires
American Aquarium
Amy Speace
Andrew Combs
Andrew Leahey & the Homestead
Ashley Monroe
Austin Lucas
Band of Heathens
Bear’s Den
Ben Miller Band
Bhi Bhiman
Bobby Rush
Brian Wright
Chelsea Crowell
Claire Lynch
Daniel Romano
Dash Rip Rock
David Bromberg
Delbert McClinton
Della Mae
Donna the Buffalo
DUGAS
Elephant Revival
Farewell Drifters
Hillbilly Killers
Houndmouth
Howe Gelb
Howlin’ Brothers
JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
Joe Nolan
Jonny Fritz
Josh Rouse
Joy Kills Sorrow
Judah & the Lion
Justin Townes Earle
Kim Richey
Laura Cantrell
Lera Lynn
Levi Lowrey
Lisa Marie Presley
Mandolin Orange
Matt Mays
Max Gomez
McCrary Sisters
Melody Pool
Mustered Courage
My Darling Clementine
Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers
Noah Gunderson
Nora Jane Struthers
North Mississippi Allstars
NQ Arbuckle
Over The Rhine
Parker Millsap
Patrick Sweany
Paul Kelly
Peter Bruntnell
Phil Madeira
Randall Bramlett
Rayland Baxter
Rose Cousins
Samantha Crain
Shannon McNally
Shel
Shooter Jennings
St. Paul & the Broken Bones
Steep Canyon Rangers
Stewart Mann & the Statesboro Revue
Susan Cowsill
The Bushwackers
The Greencards
The Lost Brothers
The Westbound Rangers
Tim Easton
Tommy Malone
Treetop Flyers
Two Man Gentleman Band
Uncle Lucius
Water Liars
Wheeler Brothers
Willie Sugarcaps
Willy Mason
CRS Registration Now Open
/by Michael_SmithCountry Radio Seminar is offering a special $349 registration rate, available to the first 349 registrants or through Aug. 15, whichever comes first. Registrants will receive a ticket to the annual New Faces of Country Music Show until the show is sold out. CRS will offer event goers an early bird rate after the special $349 rate expires.
“There are several advantages to registering early, not only the price savings, but also access to liners from many artists through the digital liners program” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “Our continuing goal is to make CRS the ‘Most Affordable’ value in the industry as prices in all of our lives continue to escalate.”
CRS 2014 will be held at the Nashville Convention Center from Feb. 19-21, 2014.
Registration is available at countryradioseminar.com.
Nashville Convention and Visitors Board Announces Changes
/by Eric T. ParkerEd Hardy, current board President and interim leader of the CMA, continues as chairman of the NCVC board of directors for the 2013-14 fiscal year, which also appointed Ken Levitan (Vector Management) and Beth Fortune (Vanderbilt University) to second terms. Levitan will serve as chair-elect.
“I am happy to welcome these four accomplished individuals to our board,” said Hardy. “Nashville’s best days are still ahead of us. These new members will add greatly to an already highly effective leadership team.”
The 18-member volunteer board is charged with directing the NCVC’s work to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination on behalf of the city, the members of the Convention and Visitors Corp and the city’s hospitality industry.
Prior to joining the Hutton, André served as general manager for properties in Houston, Beverly Hills and Chicago. He is currently on the board of directors for the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association and the Nashville State Community College Foundation.
Crenshaw, an attorney at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, has more than 25 years working in employment-related issues. As the first African-American attorney at Waller, he serves on the firm’s Diversity Committee and is a past member of the firm’s board of directors.
McDermott serves as president and CEO of Young Broadcasting after previously receiving the George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in investigative reporting during her time as VP and GM of Nashville’s WKRN-TV. She is in her second term as a director of the CMA board and is a member of the Committee of 200, a national group of top women CEOs.
Smith has overseen banking operations for Regions in the Mid-America region since 2012. He previously held leadership roles including area president and regional president of the Southwest region. He serves on the boards of Baptist Health Systems, Regions Foundation of Tennessee, Higher Education Corporation and Operation Andrew Group.
Current NCVC board members include:
Ed Hardy (CMA)
Ken Levitan (Vector Management)
Bob Patterson (Bradley, Arant, Boult Cummings)
Kevin Lavender (Fifth Third Bank)
John Fleming (Renaissance Nashville Hotel)
Pete Weien (Gaylord Opryland)
Beth Fortune (Vanderbilt)
Mike Dungan (UMG Nashville)
Don MacLachlan (Tennessee Titans)
Beth Seigenthaler Courtney (Seigenthaler PR)
Henry Hicks (GrayLine)
Jason Sheer (Tin Roof Restaurants)
Rich Schwartz (Nashville Zoo at Grassmere)
Pam Wright (Wright Travel)
Patrick Franzone (Millennium Maxwell House Hotel)
McGraw Enlists Country Radio For "Southern Girl" Video Release
/by Jessica Nicholson“Southern Girl” is the fourth single from McGraw’s Big Machine Records debut project, Two Lanes of Freedom.
“When we started talking about a video concept for ‘Southern Girl,’ I knew that this song belonged to the fans who have been out at our live shows all summer,” says McGraw. “We brought cameras out on the road and turned them around on the crowd, and they really helped us capture the fun summer groove of this song. It seems fitting that country radio would get first crack at this video because they have been such a huge part of making this tour blow up and be so special.”
The entertainer’s Two Lanes of Freedom 2013 Tour will wrap with stops in Toronto, Ontario (July 25), Bethel, N.Y. (July 26) and Virginia Beach, Va. (July 27).
Little Big Town's 'Tornado' Certified Platinum
/by Jessica NicholsonLittle Big Town
Little Big Town‘s current album, Tornado, has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for recognition of 1 million units shipped. Tornado was released in September 2012. The Jay Joyce-produced project includes the hits “Pontoon” and “Tornado,” as well as the group’s current single “Your Side of the Bed.”
Little Big Town will join Keith Urban on his Light the Fuse Tour starting this summer. Earlier this year, they headlined the sold-out Tornado Tour which visited more than 25 cities nationwide.
Aldean Breaks Fenway Park Attendance Records
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean at Fenway Park. Photo: Chris and Todd Owyoung
Jason Aldean certainly knows how to draw a crowd. He broke two attendance records this weekend during his concerts at Fenway Park in Boston. Aldean broke Paul McCartney‘s single night record and The Dave Matthews Band‘s two-night record (set in 2006). More than 70,000 tickets to Aldean’s concerts were sold in less than an hour; those fans packed the ballpark as Aldean became the first country artist in history to perform at Fenway Park. The concerts featured guests Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett.
“I heard we also set a new all time record for beer sales,” says Aldean. “They drank Boston dry…it was wild!”
Aldean’s 2013 Night Train Tour continues next week with a concert at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on July 20.
Lifenotes: Nikki Mitchell
/by Sarah SkatesNikki Mitchell
Nikki Ronda Mitchell, who previously spent 22 years working as President and CEO of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter Music, died on July 9, 2013. She had been battling pancreatic cancer and passed away peacefully at her home in Normandy, Tenn. She was 58.
Mitchell also owned The River Cafe in Normandy. Friends say she was a “fearless adventurer.” As a pilot, she and Rhonda Miles re-created the 1938 history-making flight by three Russian women combat pilots from Moscow to Siberia. Mitchell’s love of outdoor pursuits led her to co-found the fly-fishing group Music City Fly Girls. Her many other interests included writing and art.
She was an active philanthropist and animal lover and helped launch an air lift program to re-locate strays from Tennessee to no-kill shelters in New England.
She was preceded in death by her father James Mitchell. She is survived by mother, June Mitchell; brother, Mike Mitchell; aunt, Jane Keel; chosen sister, Rhonda Miles; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held at The Loveless Barn, July 30, at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Johns Hopkins Pancreatic Cyst Fund in care of Michelle Goldberg, Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 100 N. Charles St, Suite 422-A, Baltimore MD 21201. Please reference Nikki Mitchell’s name on donations.