Country Music Star Ray Stevens Recovering After Heart Attack

Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens is in recovery after undergoing minimally invasive heart surgery on the morning of July 9, according to his social media.

Last week, the 86-year-old 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, according to a post on his Facebook page.

Stevens' initial surgery was successful, but performances at his CabaRay Showroom are cancelled through July while he recovers.

On July 9, Stevens' Instagram account shared another update.

"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 reads.

"Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get well messages. Everything Is Still Beautiful!!!! 

Ray Stevens was born Harold Ray Ragsdale in Clarkdale, Georgia. His mother encouraged him to take piano lessons and when he was just 7, he realized "It all made sense," according to Stevens' website.

From that time on, music was his life. Stevens later moved to Atlanta and eventually Nashville. 

In 1961, Stevens recorded “Jeremiah Peabody’s Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills,” which reached #35 on the pop charts. 

The song's success landed Stevens a job with Mercury Records in Nashville. In 1962, he recorded “Ahab the Arab,” which climbed to #5 on the pop charts.

He went on to have 10 U.S. country or pop hits. His music has garnered 12 Grammy Award nominations and two wins. 

In 2019, Ray Stevens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums. 

He continues daily office operations at his home base, the CabaRay.