Colt Ford’s performance at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in Gilbert, Arizona took a scary turn on Thursday night. The country rapper reportedly suffered a heart attack shortly after coming off stage and is now in intensive care.
A spokesperson confirmed that the 53-year-old was rushed to Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa immediately following the show. He remains hospitalized in the ICU after the medical emergency, which forced him to cancel his scheduled concert in New Mexico on Friday.
The Georgia native, known for hits like “Dirt Road Anthem” which he originally recorded before Jason Aldean, has battled several health issues over the years. Ford has been open about his struggles with eye cancer and the autoimmune disorder Myasthenia Gravis, which causes muscle weakness.
“It really messes with your vision. I could see perfectly out of either eye, but then I would look together and I’d see three of you and you would be melting together like a lava lamp,” he told Taste of Country in 2023 about the effects of Myasthenia Gravis.
Despite the challenges, Colt Ford has achieved massive success blending country and rap. His album Declaration of Independence topped the Billboard Country charts in 2012. Six of his singles have hit the Hot Country Songs chart, including the top 40 hit “Back” featuring Jake Owen.
The multi-platinum singer-songwriter, born Jason Farris Brown, first broke out in 2008 with his debut Ride Through the Country. Before his music career took off, Colt Ford was a former professional golfer who played for the University of Georgia.
