The well-known country music legend, who is a very funny guy in the stories, songwriter, and singer, Ray Stevens, currently, is recovering after having heart surgery earlier this week.
The 86-year-old Hall of Fame singer, renowned as the author of such classic songs as The Streak, Misty, and Everything Is Beautiful was admitted to a hospital in Nashville on Friday, July 4, due to pain in the chest.
Doctors quickly diagnosed him with a mild heart attack and underwent a minimally invasive procedure Monday, July 7, according to a statement released by his longtime representative, Don Murry Grubbs.
The operation, called the heart catheterization, turned out to be successful. Stevens is said to be resting and stable. Although he is predicted to recover fully, all his shows scheduled to take place in his favorite Nashville club, the CabaRay Showroom, are canceled until the end of July.
It was a Career of 60 Years
Ray Stevens is not merely a country singer, he is a legend still alive. Having had a career that has spanned over 60 years, Stevens has made an indelible mark in American music.
Whether it is the humorous tune of the Mississippi Squirrel Revival or the soulful ballad of Misty, his talent at crossing genres and appealing to the audience of every age has made him a household name.
Over the years, Stevens has distributed over 40 million records and won two Grammy Awards. His contributions to the world of music earned him the membership to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, among others.
He even boasts a star on Music City Walk of Fame Nashville.
Man Behind the Music
Although full of accolades and fame, Ray Stevens is still down-to-earth. In 2017, he told The Tennessean, he never considered slowing down–until now.
This was the cause I had constructed the CabaRay, he said, because I simply got weary of the road. Sick of touring or having to board an airplane or a bus and travel where I was to perform.
Thus in 2018, Stevens launched CabaRay, a 35,000-square-foot dinner theater in West Nashville, with the impression of an old-school Las Vegas showroom. Ever since he opened it, he has played hundreds of shows a week there, entertaining crowds with live music, laughter, and storytelling, without ever leaving his hometown.
The 1,000 and more capacity venue has been a regular in the Nashville live concert market introducing a bit of nostalgia with the top-notch global performances.
Fans Send Love Several former players are fans of the team.
The word of his hospitalization reached the music circles and his fan base swiftly. His recovery has been wished and prayed by people on social media.
One Facebook fan wrote: He is a national treasure. I have also seen him on stage at CabaRay, and he still has the spark. Hoping he springs back soon!”
Even other musicians have come to its defense. No official artists have spoken up with Kenny Chesney or other inductees in 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame, but the large backing has rallied behind one of their own.
Where does Ray Stevens go next?
As he recovers, all shows at the CabaRay Showroom will be postponed. Employees have been assuring ticket holders that they will provide updates relating to rescheduling or refunds within a short time.
Stevens has not issued any personal message yet, but his team announced that the singer is in a good mood and that he feels fortunate to be supported through this.
Fans will be forced to wait a bit longer to hear the legendary voice of Stevens once again. However, going by his spirit and passion to act, he is likely to be back to the stage once he finds his health again.
According to an interview by Stevens last year, he said, I love what I do and I just want to do that as long as I can.
And with such enthusiasm, there is no doubt that Ray Stevens will be returning, to make people laugh, sing, and perhaps realize just how pretty everything is.
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