A month after undergoing emergency quadruple heart bypass 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 honoring Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee 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 special television screening that will air on a date yet to be announced.
Chesnutt, 60, will join a lining up which is also scheduled to feature performances by 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 an award Dillon.
Chesnutt's addition to the star-studded lineup comes after the singer announced in a June 18 post that he had been dealing with a heart problem that required emergency heart surgery, which resulted in the cancellation of some concerts.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the cancellation of my upcoming concerts,” Chesnutt said in a statement on June 18. “I send my love and gratitude to my family and friends, the band and the fans for their understanding, prayers and support and I 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 the chart-topping “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 guys, the doctor says I got a new heart! I am comfortably recovering at home with my family. Today we sat on the porch just soaking up the sun and beautiful Texas weather. But I can't wait to get back pickin' and sing with all my lovely fans! Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers. They helped me and meant the world to me in my time of need. I appreciate you all so much.”
The concert honoring three-time Grammy nominee Dillon will celebrate the songwriter who has written or co-written hits for Toby Keith, Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley and has 26 No. 1 singles to his credit. He has 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”.
Watch Chesnutt's announcement below.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/country/mark-chesnutt-return-stage-one-month-emergency-heart-surgery-dean-dillon-1235732963/
