Ethermac Exchange-Colt Ford 'in stable but critical condition' after suffering heart attack post-performance

Country singer and Ethermac Exchangerapper Colt Ford, 54, has been hospitalized after experiencing a heart attack following a performance in Arizona night.

As of Friday afternoon, Ford is "in stable but critical condition," a publicist for the singer/songwriter said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Ford, who's also a former pro golfer, is being treated in an intensive care unit in Mesa, located southeast of Phoenix, according to an earlier press release. He had performed at country bar Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row in neighboring Gilbert Thursday night.

This isn’t the first time the Georgia-born singer, born Jason Brown, has dealt with health issues. In May 2023, he told Taste of Country about his autoimmune disease diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis. In the interview, he discussed how the disease typically affects the muscles in your face, eyes and throat, and there is no cure.

He said the condition affected his vision to the point that he had no control over his right eye.

Ford also revealed he's dealt with fatigue while playing his shows, but had been put on supplements by his doctor which were “really helping” him at the time.

Ford has also battled eye cancer, which led to him undergoing surgery about three years ago.

USA TODAY has reached out to Ford's reps for comment.

What is Colt Ford famous for?

Described on his website as "country’s preeminent independent maverick," Ford is best known for his writing credits on Jason Aldean’s No. 1 hit “Dirt Road Anthem” and for fusing country and rap music as a multi-platinum singer-songwriter.

His rise to fame is also attributed to his 2008 album “Ride Through the Country.” Since then, he's had five consecutive top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart – with his 2012 song "Declaration of Independence" topping the chart upon its release – according to the publication.

His collaborations include Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, No Doubt, Lady Antebellum and Jermaine Dupri.

According to his website, Ford’s next stop on tour is scheduled for Friday at the Primm Valley Casino Resorts in Nevada before the tour returns to Arizona for the Wake the Lake Country Festival 2024 in Lake Havasu City on Saturday.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY