Colt Ford 'steadily improving in a positive direction' but remains in ICU after suffering a heart attack

GILBERT, ARIZONA: Colt Ford is slowly getting better following his heart attack last week. The country-rap star was taken to the ICU after experiencing a health scare following his performance at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row venue in Gilbert, Arizona. 

"Ford remains in the ICU, with his condition steadily improving in a positive direction," read a statement from the 54-year-old musician's team on Monday, April 8, as per People. "At this time, his family is requesting privacy and appreciates your continued thoughts and prayers," it added.

Where is Colt Ford admitted?

On Friday, April 5, representatives for Ford issued a press release stating that he'd suffered a heart attack the day prior and was "under care in the Intensive Care Unit at the Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona."

Colt Ford's music career

The performer, who was born as Jason Farris Brown, first earned notice as a professional golfer on the Nationwide Tour before pursuing a career blending country and hip-hop music. His debut album 'Ride Through the Country' was released in 2008 and featured collaborations with John Michael Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson and Brantley Gilbert, among others.

Ford and Gilbert cowrote the song 'Dirt Road Anthem,' which was first featured on 'Ride Through the Country' and later recorded by Jason Aldean in 2010 and released as a single, eventually reaching No 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Other hit songs featuring Ford as the lead artist include 'Back' with Jake Owen, 'Drivin' Round Song' with Aldean and 'The High Life' with Chase Rice.

Colt Ford was diagnosed with eye cancer

Ford revealed he'd been diagnosed with eye cancer in 2021. "The doctor told me I was a week to 10 days from having to go on full chemo," he told the outlet at that time. He returned to the stage days after undergoing surgery. "I had so many friends asking, 'Why didn't you tell me?'" he said at the time, adding "But I just thought everyone was dealing with so much stuff and stress."

The diagnosis and operation changed Ford's outlook on life. "I thought to myself … all the dumb s--- I have done, I could have killed myself multiple times and this is what is going to take me out?" he explained. "I know darn well that God never puts anything on you that you can't handle, but the Lord might have a lot more confidence in me than I thought," said Ford at the time.

Colt Ford was later diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease

Although Ford beat the cancer, he was unfortunately later diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis that affects the face, eyes and throat. "It hadn't really affected my throat, but it really affected my eye," said Ford in a May 2023 interview with Taste of Country, noting that he "had no control over my right eye."

"It really messes with your vision. I could see perfectly out of either eye, but then I would look together and I'd see three of you and you would be melting together like a lava lamp," he continued at the time.