Stevens’ Instagram account on Tuesday. “Last Friday night, Ray complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital.”
“After a cardiac catheterization procedure, it was determined that he suffered a mild heart attack,” the statement continued, adding that his “initial surgery was successful.”
However, Stevens’ performances at his Cabaray showroom “are understandably canceled” until July 2025 “while 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 shared: “Please get well soon.”
With the sweet wishes, another social media user gushed: “Sending lots of 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 the ICU and starting to walk the halls as therapy with the assistance of a nurse as he works to recover from this surgery,” the update began. “Ray is very grateful for all the cards and takes messages well. Everything is still beautiful!!!!”
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’m going to work every day in my recording studio and maybe I’ll do a few, very few, in some old 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.”
However, after her December 2024 show, the country star decided to carry on .
On May 17, Stevens returned to the Cabaray Showroom to promote his album “Say What?”, which he released in March. His live performances were scheduled to continue through December 2025.
Stevens has been a staple in the music industry for decades. He first signed with Capitol Records in 1957 at just 18 years old.
In the 1960s, Stevens moved 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”.
Fans will also remember Stevens’ comedic tracks “Gitarzan” and “The Streak.” Throughout his career, Stevens sold over 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.
In 2019, Stevens got candid when he opened the Cabaray showroom.
“I love performing,” he told Music Row . “When you’re out there in front of an audience on a regular basis, you learn from them.
“I thrive on feedback and can tell from audience reactions what works and what really works. It’s all part of the joy of performing, to answer your question, the show is always evolving.”
Stevens noted that his favorite part of Cabaray is the location.
“It’s so nice to sleep in my own bed every night and not have to fly and mess with all that stuff these days,” he admitted. “I’m 10 minutes from my house when I get off stage at Cabaray and that’s really nice!”
