Entertainment Music Country Colt Ford's Condition Is 'Steadily Improving' as Country Star 'Remains in the ICU' Following Heart Attack The country-rap star experienced a heart attack last week after performing at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row venue in Gilbert, Arizona By Jack Irvin Jack Irvin Jack Irvin has over five years of experience working in digital journalism, and he’s worked at PEOPLE since 2022. Jack started in the industry with internships at Rolling Stone and Entertainment Tonight, and he worked as a freelance writer for publications including Bustle, MTV News, Shondaland, L’Officiel USA, Ladygunn, Flood and PopCrush before joining PEOPLE. In his current role, Jack covers daily music news and has interviewed both up-and-coming and established artists including Dolly Parton, Michelle Branch, Ashanti, Cyndi Lauper, Normani, Carly Rae Jepsen and Coco Jones. People Editorial Guidelines and Sarah Michaud Sarah Michaud Sarah Michaud is the senior news editor of PEOPLE's music vertical. She has been working at PEOPLE for 16 years. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 8, 2024 01:50PM EDT Close Colt Ford performs in Nashville in August 2023. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Things are looking up for Colt Ford following his recent heart attack. The country-rap star was taken to the ICU last week after experiencing a heart attack following his performance at Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row venue in Gilbert, Arizona. Now, a rep for Ford tells PEOPLE he's on the mend while continuing to receive care. "Ford remains in the ICU, with his condition steadily improving in a positive direction," reads a statement from the 54-year-old musician's team on Monday, April 8. "At this time, his family is requesting privacy and appreciates your continued thoughts and prayers." Colt Ford in ICU After Suffering Heart Attack Following Arizona Performance Colt Ford. Eric Irvin On Friday, April 5, reps 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." Born Jason Farris Brown, the performer 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. Colt Ford performing in Nashville in September 2023. Jason Kempin/Getty 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. In 2021, Ford revealed he'd been diagnosed with eye cancer. "The doctor told me I was a week to 10 days from having to go on full chemo," he told PEOPLE at the time. Colt Ford Is Back After Eye Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery: 'I Remember Them Saying "This Ain't Good"' Colt Ford. Jeff Fasano 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. "But I just thought everyone was dealing with so much stuff and stress." The diagnosis and operation led Ford to shift his 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. Goldy Ford beat the cancer, though he was 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.