Country music star Ray Stevens is recovering at home after breaking his neck in a fall in Nashville last month. The 87-year-old was hospitalised briefly following the incident on March 29 and has been ordered to wear a neck brace for four weeks, his team announced on Tuesday.
Despite the injury, Stevens remains fully mobile and in good spirits, according to a statement on Instagram. The Grammy-winning singer is still on track to release his latest album, Favorites Old & New, on Friday via Curb Records.
Stevens is best known for his satirical comedy hits, including the 1974 chart-topper “The Streak,” which spoofed the public nudity craze of the time. Over his decades-long career, he has won two Grammys – for “Everything is Beautiful” and “Misty” – and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.
He also worked with legends such as Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton, sang with The Jordanaires, and once played trumpet for Elvis Presley. Born Harold Ragsdale, he moved to Nashville in 1962 and was married to Penny Jackson Ragdale for over 60 years before her death from cancer in 2021. He has two daughters and four grandchildren.
Last year, Stevens suffered a mild heart attack on July 4 and underwent minimally invasive heart surgery. Following that, he put his CabaRay Showroom venue up for sale in August, citing health reasons, but said he planned to continue performing and recording once recovered.
