Ray Stevens Eyes Comeback With New Album This February

Ray Stevens Returns to the Studio, Eyes New Album and Future Plans

Five months after a major health scare, country music legend Ray Stevens is back where he feels most at home: behind the studio microphone. The Country Music Hall of Fame member and GRAMMY®-winning songwriter is continuing a strong recovery following a July heart attack and has officially returned to full-time studio work. For fans who have followed his six-decade career, the news is a welcome sign that one of American music’s most enduring entertainers still has plenty left he wants to create.

A Renewed Sense of Purpose

Stevens says his priority right now is building back strength while pouring his energy into recording. Live performances may still wait for another day, but his passion for making music hasn’t faded one bit.

“I’m trying to get strong enough to continue performing,” Stevens says. “But in the meantime, I’ve got a lot of work I want to do in the recording studio, so I intend to focus my attention there for now.”

Those close to Stevens describe him as upbeat, determined, and energized by the familiar rhythm of studio life. After undergoing life-saving procedures earlier this year, the return to daily creative work marks a meaningful step forward in his recovery.

A New Album on the Horizon

Stevens’ comeback also arrives with new music on the way. His forthcoming album, Ray Stevens Favorites Old and New, is set for release on February 12, 2026, through Curb Records. The project will blend fresh material with classics revisited through a modern lens, offering a full look at the artist’s signature mix of humor, heart, and storytelling.

Fans will get their first preview of the album the same day with the release of “Savannah,” the lead single. While much of the track list remains under wraps, the project is expected to highlight Stevens’ timeless writing style while introducing new work that reflects where he is creatively today.

Considering the Future of CabaRay

While Stevens focuses on recording, he’s also thinking ahead about his Nashville entertainment complex, the Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom. The West Nashville venue—opened in 2018—has hosted performances, events, television tapings, and tours, becoming a destination for fans and visitors looking for a unique dinner-and-show experience.

Now, Stevens says he’s open to selling.

“I’d like to sell it,” he notes. “I just need someone to give me a call and make an offer I can understand and can’t refuse.”

The 713-seat complex spans 6.5 paved acres and includes two full-service bars, a piano bar, a gift shop, a ticket office, recording and production facilities, and parking for more than 300 vehicles. It’s a rare turnkey opportunity for anyone interested in entering Nashville’s entertainment landscape with a venue that already carries a legendary name.

No Timetable for the Stage — But the Door Isn’t Closed

Though Stevens isn’t currently committing to a full return to live performance, he remains optimistic. For now, the focus is simply on what he can do today: write, record, create, and keep moving forward.

His fans—many of whom have followed him from the days of “The Streak” to the cultural anthem “Everything Is Beautiful”—know his resilience well. Stevens’ career has been defined by reinvention and longevity, and this chapter appears no different.

A Legacy Still Growing

With more than 40 million albums sold, dozens of awards, and hall of fame inductions spanning music’s most respected institutions, Stevens could have chosen to slow down. Instead, he’s back in the studio, proving once again that creativity doesn’t retire.

As his recovery continues and a new album nears release, Ray Stevens is not only celebrating renewed health—he’s adding another milestone to a career that has shaped American music for more than 60 years.