Country Singer Ray Stevens Recovering After Undergoing Surgery for Mild Heart Attack

The 86-year-old musician underwent a minimally invasive heart procedure on Monday.

Singer and songwriter Ray Stevens performs at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn., on July 18, 2014. Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum

Grammy Award-winning musician Ray Stevens is on the mend after undergoing heart surgery for a medical emergency he suffered last week.

Stevens, 86, underwent the minimally invasive procedure on the morning of July 7, according to a statement shared online on Tuesday.

“Last Friday evening, Ray complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital. After a heart catheterization procedure, it was determined he’d suffered a mild heart attack,” the statement reads.

“Ray’s initial surgery was successful but performances at his CabaRay Showroom are understandably cancelled through July 2025 as he recovers.”

The singer had several Saturday evening shows scheduled at the Nashville dinner theater throughout the month to perform songs from his new comedy album, “Say Whut?”

Stevens has performed hundreds of weekly shows at the CabaRay Showroom alongside his backing band, the A-Team Band, since opening the live music venue in January 2018.

Last year, Stevens announced that he would be stepping away from his regularly scheduled live shows at the CabaRay so that he could spend more time making new music.

“I really want to concentrate on recording and I’m still writing songs and in the studio producing records,” he told The Tennessean in January 2024.

“I’m just doing what I’ve always done and trying to make music. I love what I do and I do just want to continue to do that as long as I can,” he continued. “I’m looking forward to this final year, it’s going to be a good year.”

However, the singer’s break from performing was short-lived. Earlier this year, he announced he would be resuming his weekly shows at the CabaRay, beginning in May.

“If you missed seeing a Ray Stevens show prior to his retirement and wished you hadn’t — you’re in luck! He couldn’t remain retired,” an April 10 Instagram post reads.

Stevens—who is best known for his comedic country tunes, including “Gitarzan” and “The Mississippi Squirrel Revival”—began his career in the music business in 1962 with the release of his debut album, “1,837 Seconds Of Humor.”

He has put out dozens of albums since then, including “Gitarzan” (1969), “Everything Is Beautiful” (1970), “Misty” (1975), and “I Have Returned” (1985).

The Georgia native was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

“When word got out that I was going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, people would come to me and say, ‘Well, it’s about time,’” Stevens said during his induction speech.

“I’d say, ‘Anytime is a good time to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.’ It don’t get no better than this.”