'70s Country Music Icon Says It's 'Time to Slow Down' After Heart Attack
Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Stevens is opening up about his health journey and making a major business decision following a scary medical emergency.
The beloved 86-year-old entertainer experienced what doctors classified as a mild heart attack in early July, setting off a chain of procedures. Stevens was quickly admitted to a Nashville hospital where medical teams performed minimally invasive heart surgery to address the immediate concerns.
However, Stevens' health journey was far from over. In late July, doctors discovered additional blockages that required intervention, leading to a second procedure where they placed two stents to restore proper blood flow.
The veteran performer then spent several days recovering in a Nashville rehabilitation facility before finally returning home to begin the process of regaining his strength.
Now, facing the reality of his health challenges, Stevens has made the difficult decision to put his treasured West Nashville-based CabaRay showroom up for sale. The announcement marks the end of an era for the iconic venue that has served as Stevens' primary performance home since its opening in 2018.
"At 86 and with my recent health problems, it's probably time to slow down, and selling CabaRay is the first step," Stevens said. Despite the sale decision, Stevens isn't ready to hang up his microphone entirely.
The legendary performer has assured fans that he plans to fulfill his previously scheduled live concerts at CabaRay as soon as his recovery allows.
"But in the interim, I still plan on doing shows once I'm fully recovered. I still have a lot I want to do in the recording studio, so I'll focus all of my energy in that direction along with making videos to go along with the music from time to time," he explained.
Though parting with the venue is bittersweet, Stevens hopes to find a buyer who will appreciate what makes CabaRay so special. "I'd like to see someone buy it and have as much fun here as I've had," Stevens elaborated.
Since its 2018 opening, the showroom has become much more than just a concert venue, transforming into a multi-purpose entertainment destination that has hosted a variety of events.
"It's a great facility, and we've had weddings, TV show tapings, fundraising events for charities, political campaigns, corporate meetings and all-star music performances with and without banquet dinners, all prepared and served here," he says. "It's a multi-use facility, but primarily, it's an outstanding music venue. The sound is fabulous."
As the country singer focuses on his recovery and transitions away from venue ownership, his fans can take comfort in knowing that while he's slowing down, he's not stepping away entirely from the music that has defined his career spanning over six decades.
'70s Country Music Icon Says It's 'Time to Slow Down' After Heart Attack first appeared on Parade on Aug 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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