On January 24th, country music legend Ray Stevens, known for his comedic performances, will be celebrating his 86th birthday. However, this occasion is bittersweet for him, as he lost his wife, Penny, just days before his birthday two years ago. Since then, he has also experienced the loss of his only sibling. Despite these tragedies, Stevens continues to entertain audiences, albeit with a scaled-down live show schedule. Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable career of this beloved entertainer.
A Career Spanning Six Decades
Born as Harold Ragsdale on January 24, 1939, Ray Stevens started his career at the young age of 18 in 1957. In 1970, he relocated to Nashville and released his hit song “Everything is Beautiful,” which topped the country music charts and earned him his first Grammy Award.
Throughout his career, Stevens has entertained audiences with his unique blend of pop, rock, bluegrass, and comedy. He is known for his country-novelty songs, such as “The Streak,” which became an international sensation and reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Fun fact: a clip of this song was even featured in an episode of The Simpsons!
Stevens’s talent has attracted collaborations with some of music’s biggest names, including Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Willie Nelson. His contribution to the music industry was honored when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. With over 40 million albums sold worldwide, his popularity and talent have stood the test of time.
From the Road to CabaRay Nashville
In 2015, Stevens started producing and hosting a weekly variety show called Ray Stevens Nashville, later rebranded as Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville. This show is filmed on stage at the CabaRay Showroom, a live music venue and dinner theatre in West Nashville. Airing on PBS across the United States, the show allows Stevens to share his passion for music with a wider audience.
When asked about the inspiration behind CabaRay, Stevens explained, “I’ve always been in the music business…and I’ve traveled all over the world, played shows, written, and recorded a lot of successful records.” Expressing his weariness of constant travel, he decided to establish a permanent performance venue in Nashville. Through CabaRay, he continues to delight fans with his incredible talent and infectious enthusiasm.
Overcoming Personal Losses
Stevens’s professional success has been accompanied by personal tragedy. His brother John, who also had a musical career of his own, passed away in 2020 after a fall at his home. This loss deeply affected Stevens, but he remained committed to his fans and found solace in his music.
Sadly, on December 31, 2021, Stevens experienced yet another devastating loss. His wife of six decades, Penny, lost her battle with cancer. In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, it was announced that Ray Stevens would be taking a break from performing to focus on his wife during her final days. The cancellation of his highly anticipated New Year’s Eve show at CabaRay was met with understanding and support from fans around the world.
A Farewell to Live Shows
Looking towards the future, Ray Stevens plans to discontinue regular performances at the CabaRay Showroom by the end of 2024. While he will continue to focus on recording and producing music in the studio, he wants to take a step back from live shows. “I’ve had a long run and a good run,” he reflected, expressing his desire to slow down and savor the joy of making music. His last year of live shows at CabaRay will run from March 16 to December 2024.
As fans learned about his upcoming retirement from live performances, they shared their admiration and well wishes for Stevens. From Australia to all corners of the globe, his fans have expressed their gratitude for the joy he has brought into their lives.
On his 86th birthday, let’s join together in celebrating the remarkable career of Ray Stevens and sending him our warmest wishes. We eagerly await the music he will create in the studio in the years to come. Do you have any favorite memories of Ray Stevens? Share them with us and let’s continue to celebrate this legendary entertainer together!
