Continuing to entertain fans even at 86 years old, Ray Stevens recently canceled a string of performances after suffering a mild heart attack. Fortunately, the “Everything is Beautiful” crooner recently took a major step toward recovery.
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Ray Stevens Is Out of ICU
Following a successful heart surgery Monday (July 7) morning, Ray Stevens has been discharged from intensive care and is beginning to walk the halls as therapy with a nurse’s assistance, according to a post shared to his official Instagram account Wednesday (July 9.)
“Ray is very grateful for all of the cards and get well messages,” the account shared. “Everything is Still Beautiful!!!!”
One Instagram user couldn’t resist jokingly referencing Stevens’ 1974 novelty hit, commenting, “Thankful for the great report! Gather that split-tail gown around you carefully when walking, or you could be writing another verse for “The Streak!”
Stevens’ team initially shared the news to social media Tuesday (July 8.) After complaining of chest pain last Friday (July 4), the Grammy-winning country artist was admitted to a Nashville hospital. Following a heart catheterization procedure, doctors determined that Stevens had suffered a mild heart attack. He successfully underwent “minimally invasive heart surgery” three days later.
[RELATED: Country Legend Is Coming Out of Retirement to Play a Series of Concerts in Nashville]
All Shows Canceled Through July
Understandably, Ray Stevens has canceled all live performances through July 2025 as he recovers. The future of any dates beyond that is currently unclear.
Coming out of retirement to promote his new comedy album Ray Stevens….Say Whut?, the Country Music Hall of Famer announced a limited run of performances at his CabaRay Showroom for 2025.
Signing with Capitol Records in 1957 at just 18 years old, the Georgia native won two Grammy Awards for his 1970 single “Everything Is Beautiful.” He also found success in the comedy realm with songs like “The Streak” and “Gitarzan.”
Stevens announced the latest string of shows following a January 2024 retirement announcement. “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. I’m definitely slowing down, but I haven’t come to a complete stop. Not yet, anyway.”
The “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” singer reversed that decision after releasing his latest album in March 2025. “People seem to like it, and so I want to promote it,” he said, adding, “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.”
Featured image by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
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