Country music legend, 75, rushed to hospital after slurring words mid-concert
A legend of country music who once worked with Dolly Parton was urgently rushed to hospital after fans noticed he'd begun slurring his words during a live performance.
Ronnie McDowell, 75, has a career that spans six decades, getting his big break after writing a tribute song to Elvis Presley after his death aged 42 in 1977.
Since then, Ronnie has recorded 23 solo albums and landed several number one singles on the US country music charts throughout the 1980s.
He was on stage at the Summer Solstice Music Festival over the weekend when he reportedly began to feel unwell after performing just a handful of his songs.
The new music gathering took place on June 21 in the town of Oley, Pennsylvania, which is situated 50 miles to the north-west of nearest major city Philadelphia.
Ronnie's tour manager told Nashville, Tennessee radio station WKRN that the singer's enunciation started to sound 'off' just a short time into his set on Saturday night.
According to reports, the Older Women hitmaker was 'not making sense' when he made it to the side of the stage and was worried that he may be experiencing a stroke.
He was then immediately taken to a hospital in nearby small city Reading for further tests, with his family later giving an update those who were in attendance at Summer Solstice.
Ronnie's son Tyler gave a statement on Sunday: 'I just wanted to let everyone know—I made it to Pennsylvania. Ronnie [Jr.], Dean, and me are in the room with [Ronnie].'
Tyler then revealed that the King Is Gone singer would be undergoing tests and scans as soon as possible to determine the cause of the incident in Oley.
The statement concluded: '[Ronnie] is talking to us, and we're waiting to do the MRI. As soon as I know more, so will y'all. Love Forever, Tyler.'
Tyler had said in another statement on Instagram that he hadn't traveled with his father to Pennsylvania for this show, and that seeing the headlines about Ronnie were his 'worst nightmare'.
'Seeing these headlines on social media is what I've always dreaded. It's like a nightmare. Scans are in the morning. If praying's your thing, I'd appreciate it.'
On Facebook, Teresa Johnson said: 'Tell Ronnie everyone is praying for him and a speedy recovery! We love you! So glad Tyler you made it safe! Give him all our love and hugs.'
While Ronnie's career began in earnest in the late 1970s with the Presley tribute song, his most successful decade was the 1980s – he landed two country charts number ones. More Trending
Before that, he had served in the US Navy between 1968 and 1972 and was briefly stationed in Vietnam during the prolonged war effort.
Between 1980 and 1987, he landed a total of 13 hits on the US country chart and achieved four number-one singles on the Canadian country charts.
In 2023, Ronnie was featured on 9 to 5 icon Dolly's album Rockstar, singing her own Presley tribute song, I Dreamed About Elvis.
The latest update was a positive one, with Tyler saying that they'd brought his dad some snacks to the hospital and that he was 'like a kid in a candy store' following all the love and affection he's received.
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Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ronnie McDowell rushed to hospital after suffering medical episode on stage
Country music icon Ronnie McDowell suffered a medical incident onstage which left him slurring his words and brought to a Pennsylvania hospital. The 75-year-old musician - who worked on an album with Dolly Parton years ago - was 'three or four songs' into his set during a concert in Oley, Pennsylvania's Summer Solstice Music Festival when he started 'not making sense' according to WKRN. The Nashville based television station reported that the show was paused as the country star was taken to the side of the stage as McDowell said he was not feeling well and thought he may be having a stroke. As of Sunday morning, the artist was undergoing tests at a hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania and no updates have emerged since. On Sunday, Ronnie's official Facebook page posted an image of Ronnie playing the acoustic guitar. It was accompanied with the message: 'Please keep Ronnie in your thoughts and prayers. The Family is updating on their personal platforms.' McDowell's country musician son Tyler Dean McDowell later posted about his father on his Instagram Story. He wrote: 'Thanks everyone, for the love. I'm heading to Pennsylvania now — I didn't go with them on this run. 'Seeing these headlines on social media is what I've always dreaded. It's like a nightmare. Scans are in the morning. If praying's your thing, I'd appreciate it.' McDowell is an icon in country music as two of his singles - 1981's Older Women and 1983's You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation - each reached number one on the country charts. In addition to that impressive feat, 11 more of his songs had also hit the top 10. He has enjoyed a storied career where he has released more than 20 studio albums as he has been with Curbed Records for nearly 40 years signing in 1986. The star is a devoted fan of Elvis Presley and following the icon's death in 1977, he rote and recorded a tribute song which became his first country hit and only pop hit titled The King Is Gone. It peaked at number 13 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles and became a gold record as it has sold more than five million copies to date. More recently, his comparisons to Elvis hit the mainstream again as he appeared alongside Dolly Parton in a track for her 2023 rock cover album Rockstar. On it there was an original titled I Dreamed About Elvis as Parton and McDowell were joined by special guests The Jordanaires. Parton told BBC Radio 2 was asked at the time about rumors that she wouldn't let Elvis record a cover for I Will Always Love You... years before Whitney Houston's smash hit cover for her 1992 movie The Bodyguard. Parton clarified that Elvis loved the song but she wouldn't let his manager Colonel Tom Parker use it due to a publishing dispute which left her 'heartbroken' as she always wanted to hear Elvis sing it. Meanwhile, of Mcdowell's involvement on the 2023 song I Dreamed About Elvis, Parton explained: 'I had Ronnie McDowell, who, he actually used to work on the road with Elvis but he sounds just like him, so I wrote a song and I dreamed that Elvis was singing the song I Will Always Love You,' Parton explained. 'So I wrote a whole song about Elvis and then when we did I Will Always Love You, and it's in this album,' she said.'
Metro
15 hours ago
- Metro
Country music legend, 75, rushed to hospital after slurring words mid-concert
A legend of country music who once worked with Dolly Parton was urgently rushed to hospital after fans noticed he'd begun slurring his words during a live performance. Ronnie McDowell, 75, has a career that spans six decades, getting his big break after writing a tribute song to Elvis Presley after his death aged 42 in 1977. Since then, Ronnie has recorded 23 solo albums and landed several number one singles on the US country music charts throughout the 1980s. He was on stage at the Summer Solstice Music Festival over the weekend when he reportedly began to feel unwell after performing just a handful of his songs. The new music gathering took place on June 21 in the town of Oley, Pennsylvania, which is situated 50 miles to the north-west of nearest major city Philadelphia. Ronnie's tour manager told Nashville, Tennessee radio station WKRN that the singer's enunciation started to sound 'off' just a short time into his set on Saturday night. According to reports, the Older Women hitmaker was 'not making sense' when he made it to the side of the stage and was worried that he may be experiencing a stroke. He was then immediately taken to a hospital in nearby small city Reading for further tests, with his family later giving an update those who were in attendance at Summer Solstice. Ronnie's son Tyler gave a statement on Sunday: 'I just wanted to let everyone know—I made it to Pennsylvania. Ronnie [Jr.], Dean, and me are in the room with [Ronnie].' Tyler then revealed that the King Is Gone singer would be undergoing tests and scans as soon as possible to determine the cause of the incident in Oley. The statement concluded: '[Ronnie] is talking to us, and we're waiting to do the MRI. As soon as I know more, so will y'all. Love Forever, Tyler.' Tyler had said in another statement on Instagram that he hadn't traveled with his father to Pennsylvania for this show, and that seeing the headlines about Ronnie were his 'worst nightmare'. 'Seeing these headlines on social media is what I've always dreaded. It's like a nightmare. Scans are in the morning. If praying's your thing, I'd appreciate it.' On Facebook, Teresa Johnson said: 'Tell Ronnie everyone is praying for him and a speedy recovery! We love you! So glad Tyler you made it safe! Give him all our love and hugs.' While Ronnie's career began in earnest in the late 1970s with the Presley tribute song, his most successful decade was the 1980s – he landed two country charts number ones. More Trending Before that, he had served in the US Navy between 1968 and 1972 and was briefly stationed in Vietnam during the prolonged war effort. Between 1980 and 1987, he landed a total of 13 hits on the US country chart and achieved four number-one singles on the Canadian country charts. In 2023, Ronnie was featured on 9 to 5 icon Dolly's album Rockstar, singing her own Presley tribute song, I Dreamed About Elvis. The latest update was a positive one, with Tyler saying that they'd brought his dad some snacks to the hospital and that he was 'like a kid in a candy store' following all the love and affection he's received. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Brad Pitt reveals he 'needed rebooting' in AA after bitter Angelina Jolie split MORE: Justin Timberlake fans gutted after Isle of Wight performance 'not allowed' on TV MORE: Jay-Z snubs Kanye West with major lyric change during performance on Beyonce tour
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a day ago
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BBC Breakfast halts live segment over 'distressing' image as reporter left visibly concerned
BBC Breakfast was forced to abruptly pull a live feed from Stonehenge during their Summer Solstice coverage after airing a disturbing image which took horrified viewers by surprise. Reporter Peter Ruddick was on camera at the time of the incident interviewing revellers, as he told viewers: "For some this is a spiritual occasion. For others it's a party, or a rare chance to walk among history. "For everyone, it's special. Special indeed, and I've been asking everyone, 'What are you going to do with that extra bit of sunshine?' Because as Naga said, today is the day." However, his report was suddenly halted as it froze on the scene of a dog in a coat lying very still on the grass with Ruddick looking down at the creature with visible signs of concern on his face. Back at the studio, hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty quickly filled in to reassure viewers. Charlie told the audience: "Okay, we should just explain - problems with the line there. "The dog that Peter was looking at there is all well and good, just a little tired. We saw it breathing earlier on, because it was wrapped up to keep warm. That's all." The incident takes place amid BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani's extended leave last week following claims of bullying, the Mirror reports. Frediani has been in charge of the programme, which is broadcast daily from Salford, since 2019, and is also editor of the News at One. Just last month, he accepted a Bafta Award when Breakfast won best TV news coverage for a special episode about the Post Office scandal. An insider disclosed to The Sun: "It's been an incredibly challenging past few months for everyone involved with BBC Breakfast - from crew to on-screen talent." "Fredi was already taking a break because obviously the allegations against him have been pretty damning, and he needed time to reflect. "He's devastated by some of the claims and has also had a lot of behind the scenes support from colleagues, many of whom think he's a brilliant boss." In a statement regarding Frediani, a BBC spokesperson shared: "While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. "We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed." In a separate incident in April, the BBC published the findings of a review into its workplace culture which found that some stars and managers "behave unacceptably" at work, and bosses often fail to tackle them. In another development, The Sun is also reporting about two alleged incidents which it says caused BBC bosses to speak to presenter Naga Munchetty. The Beeb said it would not remark on individual cases but reassured all complaints about conduct at work are taken extremely seriously.
