Ronnie McDowell Shares Long-Awaited Update After Onstage Mini-Stroke

Published Jul 2, 2025 By Miranda Raye

Ronnie McDowell shared an update on his health after suffering a mini-stroke onstage

Ronnie McDowell suffered a mini-stroke onstage during a show on June 21. He shared his first personal update on his health a few days later, on June 26. (Photo Credits: Ronnie McDowell / Facebook)

Country Singer Ronnie McDowell Suffered A Mini-Stroke In The Middle Of A Concert

Ronnie McDowell recently shared his first personal update since suffering a mini-stroke onstage on June 21.

The singer behind “The King Is Gone” was performing at the Summer Solstice Music Festival in Oley, Pennsylvania, when something went terribly wrong. His son, Ronnie Jr. (Ronnie Dean), was at the show and relayed what happened:

“I knew something wasn’t right as I had his vocals in my in ear monitor and I could hear him slurring his words and forgetting the words to his songs that he has sang for many years. After a few minutes…I took my Dad off side stage to ask him how he was feeling. He told me that he wasn’t ok, and that’s not how my strong Dad talks, he said that he thought that he might be having a stroke. I immediately took him to the Sprinter for him to cool off. I asked the incredible promoter to bring over an EMT.”

Ronnie was rushed to the hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania, and underwent a series of tests. After those tests, Ronnie Dean says the medical team concluded his dad suffered a mini-stroke.

The Mayo Clinic describes a mini-stroke (otherwise known as a transient ischemic attack) as:

“A temporary blockage of blood flow to part of the brain, the spinal cord or the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye known as the retina. This blockage may cause brief stroke-like symptoms.”

Ronnie was released from the hospital on June 23. Ronnie Dean said he was “in good spirits” and seemed to be feeling better.

Doctors advised Ronnie to take things easy, but cleared him to exercise and perform onstage. Ronnie Dean said his dad “will need surgery in the next few weeks,” but didn’t share any specifics.

Ronnie McDowell Breaks His Silence In First Personal Update After Mini-Stroke

Three days after coming home from the hospital, Ronnie shared a long-awaited update on his health. It was his first time personally updating his fans on his well-being after his mini-stroke.

“Hi folks! Yes, I had a stroke,” Ronnie said in a short video he posted to his official Facebook page. The video shows him going for a walk outside.

Ronnie spoke briefly about his upcoming surgery. He pointed to his neck and said, “I gotta get all this plaque cleared out here on my jugular.”

Despite everything he’s been through and the surgery that awaits him, Ronnie was in an upbeat mood. “But you know what? I’m walking,” he said. “Yup, I’m doing my two-mile walk.”

Ronnie also shared his plans to return to the stage. He announced he would perform at his sold-out concert in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, on June 28. He posted a picture from the show the following day (June 29), captioning it: