Country music legend, 87, breaks neck days before new album drops

The latest album from an acclaimed country music singer will still be released on time despite the musician breaking his neck roughly two weeks before.

Ray Stevens is recovering after the “Misty” singer broke his neck in a fall on Sunday, March 29, according to a press release sent out Tuesday morning. The two-time Grammy Award winner was briefly hospitalized in the Nashville area and is said to be recovering at home.

“Doctors have advised Stevens to wear a neck brace for approximately four weeks,” the release states. “Despite the injury, he remains fully mobile and in good spirits as he continues his recovery.”

Injury aside, Stevens’ forthcoming album “Favorites Old & New” will still be released on Friday via Curb Records. The 13-track project will feature new takes on classic songs such as “The Look of Love,” “It Had To Be You” and “Come Rain or Come Shine” accompanied by new selections, including “I Guess You’ve Never Been in Love With the Moon,” “Moving Out is Easier Than Moving On” and “Time Machine.”

“I had a lot of fun creating this album, ‘Favorites Old & New,’” Stevens’ statement in the release read. “It really does contain a few of my favorite old songs as well as favorite new ones penned by some talented writers. I just hope Ray Stevens fans enjoy it as much as Ray Stevens!”

Fans can pre-save or pre-order the album online.

This is the latest health scare for the legendary entertainer. In July 2025, Stevens had heart surgery after he suffered what was being described as a “mild heart attack.” The country music legend was admitted to a Nashville hospital after he began experiencing chest pain. He underwent a heart catheterization procedure, citing a statement from his publicity team, that confirmed that he’d had a heart attack.

Stevens’ heart attack occurred not long after the Country Hall of Fame member came out of retirement for the new run of shows. Stevens previously performed what he initially said were his final shows at the end of 2024.

Stevens, who is best known for his many novelty hits of the ’70s and ’80s, has been performing for more than 50 years. Otherwise known as the “Clown Prince of Country Music,” Stevens’ most popular songs include “Everything Is Beautiful” and “Misty,“ as well as novelty hits such as ”Gitarzan” and “The Streak.”

Stevens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Christian Music Hall of Fame.

Stevens is also an accomplished producer, music publisher, TV star and real estate developer in addition to singer and songwriter. Overall, he has sold more than 40 million records during his 60-year career.