Under the vibrant stage lights at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, no one could have guessed that Colt Ford, energetically captivating the crowd with his unique blend of country music and rap, would soon be fighting for his life in a hospital bed after a severe heart attack.
The heart attack occurred without any apparent prior symptoms, with Ford delivering a two-and-a-half-hour set just days before his hospitalization. This left fans and the music community in shock, particularly given Ford’s vibrant performance that evening, which showed no signs of health issues.
The singer now remains in intensive care after suffering the severe heart attack earlier this month, prompting the cancellation of all scheduled performances for the rest of the year. Ford, known for his dynamic blend of country and rap, was rushed to a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, following a show, and has been in the ICU since.
Ford’s medical team indicates a slow but positive trend in his recovery. However, the seriousness of his condition led his team to cancel his upcoming tour dates, a decision made to prioritize his health. Colt is ‘steadily improving,’ a representative told TMZ. Ford, whose real name is Jason Farris Brown, is a former professional golfer as well.
Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer shared an update on social media, offering a hopeful message about Ford’s tough battle: “All the prayers are appreciated and working. Odds of survival were grim, now… He’s making great progress and doing better by the minute,” Rymer tweeted.
Hey everybody. News keeps getting better on @coltford All the prayers are appreciated and working. Odds of survival were grim. Now….He’s making great progress and doing better by the minute. Please keep Colt and his family in your prayers.
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) April 11, 2024
Adding to the community support, Mike Flaskey, CEO of Mike Flaskey Entertainment, also conveyed positive news regarding Ford’s recovery: “He’s awake and talking, after being incapacitated for 7 days from a life-threatening health issue after his last show. God has worked a miracle and we need those prayers to continue for a full recovery!”
With permission, I am posting some positive news about our beloved @coltford! He’s awake and talking, after being incapacitated for 7 days from a life threatening heath issue after his last show. God has worked a miracle and we need those prayers to continue for a full recovery! pic.twitter.com/bSFdrn2nUI
— Mike Flaskey (@TheVacationDR) April 11, 2024
Ford co-founded the record label Average Joes Entertainment in 2008, and has released several albums under the label. His music style is a blend of country and rap, often referred to as “hick-hop,” where he combines spoken word rap with country music themes and instrumentation. Ford’s music often features collaborations with other country and rap artists, and he is known for his storytelling lyrical style which reflects on rural life, personal experiences, and social commentary. His work has appealed to a broad audience, particularly those who are fans of both country music and hip-hop.
The health scare isn’t Ford’s first; he has previously battled an autoimmune disease which he discussed openly, describing its impact on his physical capabilities. The singer’s family has requested privacy during the difficult time, and fans are asked to respect their wishes. Refunds for the canceled shows are available at the point of purchase, and information on any rescheduled dates will be provided in due course.