It’s been a tough week for fans of country music icon Ray Stevens.
The 86-year-old singer, best known for his heartfelt tunes and humorous storytelling, is currently recovering in a Nashville hospital after suffering a heart attack earlier this month.
Emergency Room Visit on July 4
Ray was rushed to the emergency room on July 4 after experiencing sudden chest pains.
Doctors quickly performed a heart catheterization procedure, and it was confirmed that he’d suffered a mild heart attack.
Underwent Heart Surgery in Nashville
Following his diagnosis, Ray underwent minimally invasive heart surgery in Nashville on July 8.
Thankfully, the operation was successful, and doctors say he’s now on the mend.
According to an update posted to his official Facebook page, Ray is no longer in the ICU and has started light walking therapy with the help of a nurse.
Taking Time to Heal and Rest
As part of his recovery, Ray has been forced to cancel his scheduled performances at the beloved CabaRay Showroom through the remainder of July.
While fans are understandably disappointed, they’ve been flooding his page with love and well-wishes—and Ray is deeply grateful for every message.
“Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get-well messages,” the update read. “Everything is still beautiful!”
What Really Happens During a Heart Attack?
In case you’re wondering, a heart attack usually happens when the blood flow to the heart becomes blocked—often due to a buildup of fat and cholesterol in the arteries, which leads to a condition called atherosclerosis.
When one of these plaques ruptures, it can cause a clot that cuts off circulation to part of the heart muscle.
That’s what doctors believe happened in Ray’s case.
A Life Already Marked by Personal Loss
Ray’s health battle comes just four years after enduring another heartbreaking life event—the death of his wife of six decades, Penny Jackson Ragsdale.
She passed away from cancer on December 31, 2021, at their Nashville home.
The couple had been married for 60 years and shared two daughters, Suzi and Timi.
A Career Spanning Nearly Seven Decades
Ray’s influence on American music spans generations.
He launched his career at just 18 years old in 1957 when he signed with Capitol Records.
In the 1970s, he pivoted into producing and studio work in Nashville, solidifying his place behind the scenes as well as on stage.
Grammy Wins and Hall of Fame Honors
Over his career, Ray Stevens has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards, winning two.
In 1971, he took home Best Contemporary Male Vocalist for Everything is Beautiful, and in 1976 he won Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists for Misty.
His accolades don’t stop there—Ray is a member 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.
Looking Ahead With Gratitude
Though he’s taking time off to heal, Ray’s team has made it clear that he remains in high spirits.
The message to fans is simple: he’s on the road to recovery, and he’s thankful for all the support.
For now, it seems everything really is still beautiful in Ray’s world.