At 86, Ray Stevens to Slow Down: Health Update and CabaRay Sale Plans

Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens has shared an update on his health and announced plans to sell his Nashville-based CabaRay Showroom, the venue he has called home for the past seven years.

The 86-year-old entertainer suffered a mild heart attack in early July, which required minimally invasive surgery and the placement of two stents later that month. After a short stay in a rehabilitation facility, Stevens is now back at home focusing on recovery. He says he intends to return to the stage at CabaRay for his previously scheduled concerts once his health allows.

“At 86 and with my recent health problems, it’s probably time to slow down, and selling CabaRay is the first step,” Stevens said. “But in the interim, I still plan on doing shows once I’m fully recovered. I still have a lot I want to do in the recording studio, so I’ll focus all of my energy in that direction along with making videos to go along with the music from time to time.”

Stevens opened the CabaRay Showroom in 2018 on River Road in West Nashville. The 35,000-square-foot facility has hosted concerts, weddings, TV tapings, fundraisers, corporate events, and political gatherings. With seating for more than 700 people, backstage production areas, a bar and kitchen, offices, and a state-of-the-art studio, Stevens describes it as “an outstanding music venue” with “fabulous” sound. Parking for 300 vehicles and bus accommodations make it accessible for large-scale productions.

Though he’s decided it’s time to sell, Stevens says he hopes the next owner will enjoy the space as much as he has. “I’d like to see someone buy it and have as much fun here as I’ve had,” he said.

Known for timeless hits like “The Streak” and “Everything Is Beautiful,” Stevens has entertained audiences for more than six decades, selling over 40 million albums. He is a member of multiple halls of fame—including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Musicians Hall of Fame—and continues to be celebrated for both his humor and his artistry.

With his focus turning back to recording and video projects, Stevens shows no signs of slowing his creativity, even as he takes steps to ease his performance schedule.