Country Star in Critical Condition After Serious Medical Issue Following Concert

Renowned country artist Colt Ford was hospitalized in a critical condition on Friday following a heart attack that occurred after his performance in Gilbert, Arizona, the night before.

At 53 years old, Ford was being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, where he was described as stable yet critically ill, as informed by a representative to KPNX-TV.

After his show at Dierks Bently’s Whiskey Row in Gilbert, Ford was initially taken to the intensive care unit at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa on Thursday night, before being transferred to the Mayo Clinic.

Attendees of Ford’s concert were unaware of his health ordeal. Kelli Williams, a fan in attendance, noted to KPNX, "The only thing I’d say is toward the end he kind of looked tired. But, I mean, he went 110 percent, and he was all over the stage and interacting with the crowd."

Ford has made his mark in the country music scene with a distinctive style that melds rap with country music, often referred to as "country rap" or "hick hop."

One of his notable tracks, "Workin’ On" from 2014, shines a light on the mental health struggles, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder, that many veterans face upon returning from service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that about 23 percent of veterans receiving VA care have been diagnosed with PTSD at some stage.

Before his music career, Ford was a professional golfer, competing on the Nationwide Tour.

Ford's health battles aren't new. The New York Post revealed that in 2022, he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a chronic autoimmune condition affecting voluntary muscles. Despite no known cure, treatments can manage its symptoms.

In a 2023 interview with Taste of Country, Ford shared how Myasthenia Gravis impacted him, especially his throat and eye. "I had no control over my right eye. It really messes with your vision," Ford recounted. "I could see perfectly out of either eye, but then I would look together and I would see three of you, and you would be melting together like a lava lamp."

It remains uncertain if Myasthenia Gravis played a role in his recent heart attack.

As news of Ford's condition spread, many took to social media to express their support and prayers.

Ford's tour plans included a performance in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, on the following Saturday, with future shows planned in Woodford, Virginia, on April 18, Ashland, Kentucky, on April 19, and Valdosta, Georgia, on April 20, as per his official tour website.