Country Singer Mark Chesnutt Opens Up About How Sobriety Saved His Life
Mark Chesnutt Opens Up About His Sobriety Journey (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images)
Country Singer Mark Chesnutt Deals With Multiple Health Issues
Earlier this year, Mark Chesnutt fans were concerned about the country star after he cut a concert short due to health issues.
On February 12, Chesnutt was set to perform at the Oxford Performing Arts Center in Alabama, but the evening didn’t unfold as expected. Just a few songs into his set, he abruptly exited the stage.
The venue later posted a statement on Facebook, explaining that he had to leave the stage due to a “sudden illness.”
The Country Star Forced To Cancel Multiple Shows
This wasn’t the first time Chesnutt experienced a medical emergency that impacted a show.
In October of 2025, Chesnutt missed a show in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after he experienced a medical emergency before arriving at the venue. He was quickly rushed to the hospital.
A representative for the “Brother Jukebox” singer later confirmed that tests revealed he had a low sodium level along with very high blood pressure.
Chesnutt has had other health challenges in recent years as well. In 2024, he underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery and had to take a couple of months off to recover.
“Well folks, doc says I got a new heart!,” the singer told fans at the time. “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. See yuh soon!”
Mark Chesnutt Opens Up About His Sobriety Journey
Before that, in 2021, he had major back surgery. This procedure was to treat long-term pain caused by a fracture he had dealt with for years.
During an appearance on the “Big D & Bubba” radio show last week, the 62-year-old opened up about how that season of his life deeply impacted him.
“I went through a period there that was really bad after my back surgery. I just sat around and drank all the time,” Chesnutt shared. “That’s all I could do. I couldn’t eat. I was pretty — I was miserable all the time. I started out drinking beer. That was mostly what I drank. I drank beer and some whiskey every now and then… and then I got to drinking wine… And then I graduated to the vodka and started hitting the vodka really, really hard.”
When asked how much he drank, the singer admitted that he was going “through about a handle.” However, Chesnutt says when he decided to quit drinking, it absolutely saved his life.
“I quit drinking, and that was a big deal for me. That was a huge thing for me. It just about killed me,” he said. “There’s no other way to say it. It almost killed me.”
Chesnutt explains that even though he’s getting older, he is feeling better than ever after giving up alcohol.
“Because when I was in my 30s, I was drinking a lot. In my 40s, I was drinking a lot, 50s I was drinking way too much. And so, that’s when I quit. And I couldn’t get on stage and do what I did when I was drunk when I was younger. I wasn’t a functioning drunk anymore. I was just a drunk,” he continued.
Thankfully, Chesnutt says he has overcome his struggles, and is grateful to be where he is at today.
“I feel so good now, man. I wake up every day and thank the good Lord that I’m still kicking,” Chesnutt says.
