Latest news with #RayStevens
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country icon, 86, suffers heart attack after coming out of retirement
Ray Stevens is recovering from a heart attack shortly after the 86-year-old country music legend came out of retirement. The Country Hall of Fame member suffered 'a mild heart attack' last Friday, July 4, according to a post on Stevens' official Instagram. 'Stevens is in recovery after undergoing minimally invasive heart surgery yesterday morning,' the post from Tuesday, July 8 read. 'Last Friday evening, Ray complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital,' it continued. 'After a heart catheterization procedure, it was determined he'd suffered a mild heart attack.' Stevens' performances at his CabaRay Showroom have been canceled for the rest of the month as a result of the incident. The shows were in support of his new comedy album, "Ray Stevens ... Say Whut?," which was released in March. Stevens' heart attack occurred not long after the Grammy Award winner came out of retirement earlier for the new run of shows. Stevens previously performed what he initially said were his final shows at the end of 2024. Stevens, who is best known for his many novelty hits of the '70s and '80s, has been performing for more than 50 years. Otherwise known as the 'Clown Prince of Country Music,' Stevens' most popular songs include "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty,' as well as novelty hits such as 'Gitarzan" and "The Streak'. Stevens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Christian Music Hall of Fame. Stevens is also an accomplished producer, music publisher, TV star and real estate developer in addition to singer and songwriter. Son of country music legend who suffered stroke on stage updates fans '90s country star says what she had to 'let go of' after coming out as gay Support surges for country music legend who suffered stroke on stage Country star skewered by fans after calling out revered album: 'It just ain't country' Move over 'Brat summer': Old Dominion hopes to make 2025 a 'Barbara summer' Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ray Stevens shares update after minor heart attack: 'Everything is still beautiful!'
Singer Ray Stevens has shared his first update since being admitted to the hospital on July 4 for surgery. According to his Instagram, the 86-year-old has been moved out of intensive care and is continuing to recover. 'Ray is out of ICU and beginning to walk the halls as therapy with a nurse's assistance as he is working towards recovering from this surgery,' the post from Wednesday reads. 'Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get-well messages. Everything is Still Beautiful!!!!' The last line is a reference to one of Stevens' best-known songs, the Grammy Award-winning "Everything Is Beautiful." In a previous statement provided to People magazine, representatives of Stevens said he was recovering after a 'minimally invasive heart surgery' on Monday. On July 4, he went to a Nashville hospital after experiencing chest pain. Following a heart catheterization, Stevens was informed that he had suffered a minor heart attack. A subsequent surgery was carried out successfully. Though the two-time Grammy winner's upcoming performances at his CabaRay Showroom in Nashville have been canceled, fans are just happy to hear he is OK. 'This is the good news I was waiting for,' one Instagram user commented under the update. Another rejoiced, saying it was 'great news in a world of such sadness and loss recently.' Stevens has had a successful music career, cutting his first top 10 pop hit, 'Ahab the Arab,' in 1962. The singer has recorded 45 albums, according to his website, won two Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019. Read more: Ray Stevens, country music's comedy hero, on being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame Following the induction, Stevens was asked whether he would be retiring anytime soon. 'I feel fine; I'll probably keel over after I hang up the phone,' he joked. In 2024, he announced he would be hanging up his boots — only to change his mind a year later with the release of a new album, 'Say Whut?' "Although I said earlier that last year was going to be my final year at the CabaRay … I'm kind of going back on that because I want to promote this album,' he told NewsChannel 5 Nashville. Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Country singer Ray Stevens suffers mild heart attack, cancels shows
Ray Stevens suffered a mild heart attack and was discharged from the hospital Thursday after surgery, Fox News Digital can confirm. Stevens, 86, underwent minimally invasive heart surgery on Monday after experiencing chest pains on July 4. "Ray has been discharged from the hospital and is on his way home right now," a representative for the musician told Fox News Digital. "He will be recovering for a few weeks at home. There will be a few additional procedures to perform once he's recovered but things went really well." Stevens complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital on Friday. Doctors performed a heart catheterization procedure, and it was determined he'd suffered a mild heart attack. Due to his health issues, Stevens' performances at the CabaRay Showroom were canceled through July. The Grammy award-winning musician was recovering as of Wednesday, according to a post shared on Instagram. "Ray is out of ICU and beginning to walk the halls as therapy with a nurse's assistance as he is working towards recovering from this surgery," the caption read. "Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get well messages. Everything Is Still Beautiful!!!"
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Country singer Ray Stevens suffers heart attack in Nashville
Ray Stevens is on the mend following a health scare. The country singer, 86, underwent surgery after suffering a heart attack on Friday, July 4. 'Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens is in recovery after undergoing minimally invasive heart surgery yesterday morning,' a statement posted to Stevens' Instagram account on Tuesday read. 'Last Friday evening, Ray complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital.' 9 Ray Stevens. raystevensmusic/Instagram 'After a heart catheterization procedure, it was determined he'd suffered a mild heart attack,' the statement continued, adding that his 'initial surgery was successful.' However, Stevens' performances at his CabaRay Showroom 'are understandably cancelled' through July 2025 'as he recovers.' Fans took to the comments section to share their support for the Grammy winner. 'Prayers for you from a grateful fan in Georgia. Get well soon!' one fan wrote. A second follower chimed in, 'Please, Get Well Soon.' 9 Ray Stevens performs on stage. Getty Images 9 Ray Stevens performs onstage for The Final Nashville Show – A Tribute To Ronnie Milsap. Getty Images Rounding out the sweet wishes, another social media user gushed, 'Sending much love and prayers for a full recovery.' On Wednesday, a second statement was shared on Stevens' Instagram account, giving his fans an update on his condition. 'Ray is out of ICU and beginning to walk the halls as therapy with a nurse's assistance as he is working towards recovering from this surgery,' the update began. 'Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get well messages. Everything is Still Beautiful!!!!' 9 Rudy Gatlin, Pam Tillis, Ray Stevens, Deborah Allen and Steve Gatlin. Getty Images In January 2024, Stevens announced a major change in his music career. The artist revealed he would 'stop performing regularly' at his Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom in Nashville by the end of the year. 'I'll be going to work every day in my recording studio and maybe I'll do a few, a very few, shows in some old familiar places,' Stevens shared in a statement at the time. 'I'm definitely slowing down, but I haven't come to a complete stop. Not yet, anyway.' 9 Inductee Ray Stevens performs during the 2022 Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum Concert. Getty Images However, after his December 2024 show, the country superstar decided to continue. On May 17, Stevens returned to the CabaRay Showroom to promote his album 'Say Whut?' which he released in March. His live performances were set to continue through December 2025. Stevens has been a staple in the music industry for multiple decades. He first signed to Capitol Records' Prep Records at just 18 years old in 1957. 9 Rick Hall, Felton Jarvis(producer), Tommy Roe, Ray Stevens, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam and Jerry Carrigan. Getty Images In the 1960s, Stevens relocated to Nashville and began writing songs for Dolly Parton. He also worked with the late Waylon Jennings and Elvis Presley. Stevens won his first Grammy in 1971. He took home the award for Best Contemporary Male Vocalist for his song 'Everything Is Beautiful.' In 1976, he won Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for 'Misty.' 9 Ray Stevens at BBC Television Centre in London, England in June 1974. Redferns Fans will also remember Stevens' comedic tracks, 'Gitarzan' and 'The Streak.' Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the Christian Music Hall of Fame. Stevens was married to his wife, Penny Jackson Ragsdale, for over 60 years until her death in 2021. The couple shared daughters Suzi and Timi. 9 Ray Stevens backstage at the 17th Grammy Awards. Getty Images 9 Ray Stevens performs live in 1977. Getty Images In 2019, Stevens got candid on opening the CabaRay Showroom. 'I love to perform,' he gushed to Music Row. 'When you are out there in front of an audience regularly, you learn from them. 'I thrive on feedback and can tell by audience reactions what works and what really works. It's all part of the joy of performing, so to answer your question, the show is always evolving.' Stevens noted that his favorite part of CabaRay is the location. 'It's so great to sleep in my own bed every night and not have to fly and mess with all that entails, these days,' he admitted. 'I'm 10 minutes from my house when I leave the stage at the CabaRay and that's really nice!'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Country legend hospitalized after heart attack in Nashville
Country singer Ray Stevens is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack in Nashville. The 86-year-old artist and comedian, famed for hits such as Everything is Beautiful and Misty, was taken to the emergency room on July 4 after he complained of chest pains. After a heart catheterization procedure, it was determined he'd suffered a mild heart attack. According to his official Facebook page, Ray underwent minimally invasive heart surgery in the Tennessee state capital on July 8. While the operation was successful, he has been forced to cancel his upcoming performances at his CabaRay Showroom through July 2025. In a Facebook update, posted on Wednesday night, it was revealed that Ray is doing well. 'Ray is out of ICU and beginning to walk the halls as therapy with a nurse's assistance as he is working towards recovering from this surgery,' the statement read. 'Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get-well messages. Everything is still beautiful!' According to Mayo Clinic, a heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked. The blockage is usually due to a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the heart (coronary) arteries. The fatty, cholesterol-containing deposits are called plaques. The process of plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis. Sometimes, a plaque can rupture and form a clot that blocks blood flow. A lack of blood flow can damage or destroy part of the heart muscle. Ray's health ordeal comes four years after he lost his wife of 60 years, Penny Jackson Ragsdale to cancer. Penny died at their Nashville home on December 31, 2021 shortly before midnight. She was 78. Over the course of their life together, they welcomed two daughters, Suzi and Timi. Ray's career in music kicked off in 1957 when he signed to Capitol Records at the age of 18. In the 1970s. he turned his hand to becoming a studio musician and producer in Nashville. Ray has had a fruitful career, having been nominated for a total of 11 Grammys, of which he won Best Contemporary Male Vocalist for Everything is Beautiful in 1971. He also won Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists with Misty in 1976. Additionally, Ray is an inductee of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Christian Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
