- Content: PRAY: Country Star Mark Chesnutt Cancels Shows for Emergency Heart Surgery
By Movieguide® Contributor
Country singer Mark Chesnutt underwent an emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery this month, causing him to cancel some summer shows.
But the “Brother Jukebox” singer can’t wait to get back on the stage.
“Well folks, doc says I got a new heart!” he posted on Instagram June 25. “I’m recovering comfortably at home with my family. Today we sat on the porch just soaking in the sun and that beautiful Texas weather.”
“But I can’t wait to get back to pickin’ and singin’ with all my favorite fans!” he continued “Thank you for all the well-wishes and prayers. They have helped and meant the world to me in my time of need. I appreciate you all so very much. See yuh soon!”
Last week, his team announced to fans that the star had the surgery on June 16.
“The recuperation time will make it necessary to cancel show dates. Please respect the privacy of the family during this difficult time of recovery,” the statement said.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the cancelation of my upcoming shows,” Chesnutt added in the statement. “I send my love and gratitude to my family and friends, the band and fans for your understanding, prayers and support, and look forward to seeing you all again soon at a honky tonk near you.”
The 60-year-old performer rose to fame in the early ’90s as a country crooner. In ’93, he won the CMA Horizon Award and Vocal Event of the Year.
A few years ago, he had to take a break from the stage to have emergency back surgery.
“That back surgery changed my life. I didn’t get the surgery done when I should’ve; I put it off for years. It got worse, and it got to the point where I wasn’t able to work,” Chesnutt told Pro Country.
When the doctor eventually told him, “You have no choice” but to have the surgery, he went ahead and had it. It took him ten weeks to recover.
“I’m not 100% where I was, but I’m doing good now,” he said. “There’s certain things that are hard to do. I can’t pick up anything heavy, and being on a bus doesn’t help. But I’m doing a lot better than I was even this time a year ago,” the star said.
Another artist, Christian singer Jeremey Camp, also recently had heart surgery. Movieguide® reported in March:
Camp underwent a cardiac ablation, which will use “heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart. The scars block faulty heart signals and restore a typical heartbeat.”
…Camp explained that during his shows, his heart would beat “really, really fast,” making it hard for him to breathe and function during live performances or anything involving an increased heart rate.
His wife, Adrienne, shared an update following the surgery.
“Just wanted to give you an update on Jeremy…He’s resting and has to lay completely flat for a while. He’s enjoying being spoon fed by me. Lol!” she wrote on her husband’s Instagram. “Surgery was a success but it’ll take a few months to fully heal. We are beyond grateful for how you guys have cared for us in prayer.”
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