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Key Points Colt Ford survived a 2024 heart attack after being revived twice and lengthy surgery. Ford described a spiritual encounter with late friend Toby Keith. Colt Ford, who told the story to Keith's wife Tricia, is grateful and lives by the words: be still and be present. Colt Ford recently crashed a Taste of Country Nights’ interview with Jake Owen to talk about a variety of subjects, including his near-death experience, which occurred last year. For those who don’t know, Ford, 56, experienced a heart attack in the spring of 2024 following a sold-out show in Gilbert, Arizona. Medical professionals rushed to bring him back to life, not once, but twice. Ford ended up undergoing a lengthy surgery and was placed into a medically induced coma. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 According to the outlet, the country rap artist, who has lost a lot of weight since then, is still a long way from 100% recovery, but these days, he is more grateful than ever to be alive, and living his life with one motto: to be still and be present. While revisiting the memory of the heart attack that nearly claimed his life, Ford said, “I didn’t know what had happened. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know what had transpired at all. I didn’t know anything about it.” Toby Keith Nicknamed Colt Ford ‘Little Dog Daddy’ However, he did recall a heavenly encounter he experienced with none other than the late Toby Keith before waking up after a 10-hour surgery. Ford shared that Keith used to refer to him as “Little Dog Daddy.” The two were good friends who even golfed together from time to time. “There was a bell, it was a bright light, and Toby stepped out and said, ‘They’re not ready for you yet, Little Dog, go on back down there,’” Ford told host Evan Paul. “That’s how I woke up. I literally just opened my eyes….” Related: Iconic No. 1 Toby Keith Song From 23 Years Ago Gets New Life in Country Star’s Performance Colt Ford Felt Inclined to Tell His Wife About the Experience Ford went on to say that he was so moved by the spiritual visit that he told Keith’s wife, Tricia Lucas, about it. “I told Trish, and she actually flew out there and hung out in the hospital,” he explained before adding that his mystical experience with Keith saw the “As Good As I Once Was” singer appearing as healthy and vibrant as he did when he was “in his glory days.” “He was larger than life, man. He was like John Wayne,” Ford said of his admiration for Keith, adding that the two of them were “super close.” “He was good to me. He was good to Jake. A lotta guys don’t reach back, but he would help you. A lot of guys don’t even some answer the phone, some don’t. A lot more than ever, I’ve learned that since the accident.”
