A broken neck threatened to overshadow Ray Stevens’ remarkable late-career chapter. At eighty-seven, the country music legend faced another frightening setback after surviving heart trouble the previous year, leaving fans anxiously awaiting news. But as details emerged from Nashville, fear gave way to something unexpected: a recovery update and an album release that offered hope for his next chap… Continues…
Ray Stevens suffered a broken neck in a fall at his home on March 29, prompting a brief hospitalization in the Nashville area. In an April 7 update, his team said he had returned home, remained mobile and was in good spirits. His recovery required rest and a neck brace for approximately a month. The injury followed a difficult 2025, when a heart attack and subsequent surgery had already tested the veteran entertainer’s strength.
Despite the setback, his 13-track album, Favorites Old & New, arrived April 10 through Curb Records as scheduled, pairing newly recorded classics with fresh material. Planned performances were postponed while healing took priority, with no firm timetable for a stage return. For listeners who grew up with “Everything Is Beautiful” and “The Streak,” the release offered a welcome connection: new music from a familiar voice, even as the man behind it needed time to recover.