TRAVIS UPDATE: Randy Travis remains in critical condition in at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, but he’s making progress following a stroke last week. He’s still on a ventilator, but he no longer requires a heart pump. On Monday, he was interacting with visitors. Doctors expect the singer to remain at the hospital for two to three more weeks before beginning months of physical therapy.

MUSICAL THERAPY: Patients at Children’s Medical Center Dallas might normally expect to see doctors and nurses entering their rooms. But sometimes, the hospital employee who comes by will be carrying a guitar or pushing a piano. That’s because the hospital has four musical therapists on staff to work with newborns on up. “Music is a great catalyst for the therapy, especially with children because there’s so many things that it can accomplish,” Lisa Jones, who supervises the program at Children’s, tells dallasobserver.com. “‘Kids will open up in a different way when there’s music involved.”

HEART OF GOLD AWARDS: The Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County is looking for nominees for its inaugural Heart of Gold awards, which will recognize, “local individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the arts community, as well as their impact on Tarrant County residents.” Know someone who fits that description? Nominate them through the council’s website. But do it quickly – nominations are due July 23.