Country Legend Continues To Perform as He Awaits Surgery After Onstage Stroke

With a career spanning nearly 50 years, Ronnie McDowell first launched his career thanks to Elvis Presley. When Elvis passed away in 1977, the country singer recorded a tribute song, “The King Is Gone”. That record quickly gained praise from fans. And since that moment, he has gone on to release several albums. But back in June, McDowell suffered a health scare when he started to slur his words on stage. While McDowell focused on his recovery, he continued to perform even with an upcoming surgery. 

Although singers often need to cancel a concert or performance due to an illness, McDowell wasn’t ready to let his fans down during his “Fan Appreciation” weekend. Just three weeks after the singer suffered what appeared to be a stroke on stage, he returned. Sharing a post about the event, his son, Ronnie McDowell Jr., wrote on Facebook, “Well, it’s about 5:00 in the morning, I just got home from getting everything squared away with the incredible concerts that DAD had for his Fan Appreciation Weekend.”  

Even with the long weekend, Ronnie Jr. thanked fans for their continued support surrounding his father. “ Thank you All again for coming out to the shows this weekend and for tuning in and making dad feel so special.”

[RELATED: Country Legend Reveals “Weird” Fan Mail He Got After Onstage Stroke]

Ronnie McDowell Preparing For Surgery To Address Blockage In Carotid Artery

While not every fan made it to the performance, both shows on July 11th and 12th were live-streamed on the singer’s Facebook page. Fans loved the performance, writing, “Thank you for the wonderful show. I am so glad your dad is doing so well.” Another person added, “It was really a great weekend with Ronnie McDowell and his band.”

Having kept fans updated about his father’s health, Ronnie Jr. shared another post on July 7th, revealing, “He went this morning to see a vascular surgeon just for a consultation, but he said they have set him up with a neurosurgeon to be seen on July 14th. That will be the day that we have more to report and pray we have a surgery date to report by then. This will be to address the blockage in his carotid artery, that caused the stroke.”

Staying positive throughout the entire ordeal, Ronnie Jr. concluded, “He’s sounding great and he’s doing great, so please keep the prayers coming!!! He’s been a trooper and we are going to see to it that he has the best care there is.” 

(raystevensmusic, 2023)