Mark Chesnutt Prepares Stage Return One Month After Emergency Heart Surgery
A month after undergoing emergency quadruple bypass heart surgery, country singer Mark Chesnutt has announced his return to the stage. On Tuesday (July 16), the “Blame It On Texas” star announced that he will perform at a concert dedicated to Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member Dean Dillon on October 9.
The show at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena in Huntsville, AL, “Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon,” will be filmed for a TV special slate to air at an as-yet-unannounced date.
Chesnutt, 60, will join a lineup that is also slated to feature performances from George Strait, Vince Gill, Ronnie Dunn, Riley Green, Justin Moore, ERNEST, Larry Fleet, Jamey Johnson, Pam Tillis, Zach Top, Billy Currington, Gramps Morgan and Due West, as well as honoree Dillon.
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Chesnutt’s addition to the star-packed lineup comes after the singer announced in a June 18 post that he had experienced a heart issue that required emergency heart surgery, which at the time resulted in the cancellation of a number of concerts.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the cancellation of my upcoming shows,” Chesnutt said in a statement on June 18. “I send my love and gratitude to my family and friends, the band and fans for your understanding, prayers and support, and look forward to seeing you all again soon at a honky tonk near you.”
Beaumont, TX-native Chesnutt has eight No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits, including chart-toppers “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Brother Jukebox” and “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.”
A week after the surgery, Chesnutt gave fans an update, writing on Instagram, “Well folks, doc says I got a new heart! I’m recovering comfortably at home with my family. Today we sat on the porch just soaking in the sun and that beautiful Texas weather. But I can’t wait to get back to pickin’ and singin’ with all my favorite fans! Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers. They have helped and meant the world to me in my time of need. I appreciate you all so very much.”
The concert honoring three-time Grammy nominee Dillon will celebrate the songwriter who has written or co-written popular songs for Toby Keith, Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley and who has 26 No. 1 singles to his songwriting credit. He’s also co-written 55 tracks for George Strait, including 19 singles, 11 of which were No. 1 hits, including “The Chair,” “It Ain’t Cool to Be Crazy About You,” “Ocean Front Property” and “Famous Last Words of a Fool.”
See Chesnutt’s announcement below.