Joe Ely Health Concerns Revealed Ahead of New Album

photo: Barbara FG


Country, rock, and roots music legend Joe Ely announced a new album recently called Love & Freedom that’s due out on February 7th. Co-produced by fellow Texas panhandle legend Lloyd Maines who also performs on six of the new album’s tracks, Love & Freedom is being released by Rack ‘Em Record via Thirty Tigers.

“To me, ‘Love and Freedom’ is a reminder of the times we’re living in right now, and I hope it resonates with whoever takes the time to listen,” Joe Ely is quoted as saying about the new album.

It was a bit strange that the album was announced on January 24th for a February 7th release date. Usually, six weeks to two months comes between an announcement and a release. Ely has also been out of the public eye for an extended period. Then Thursday evening (1-30), Joe Ely’s wife and manager Sharon Ely took to social media to explain what was happening. Joe Ely has been suffering from some serious health issues lately.

“A lot of people, friends, fans, relatives and strangers have been asking when is Joe going back on the road to tour. How is Joe doing? Why is Joe not doing many interviews?” Sharon Ely said. “In August 2024, as Joe was actually healing from a bout of pneumonia, he experienced an episode of what seemed like a small stroke … The neurologist looked at Joe’s MRI and diagnosed him with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Basically, this is a condition where protein deposits in the small blood vessels of the brain can weaken the blood vessel walls and can lead to bleeding in the brain.”

Joe and his wife Sharon currently live in Taos, New Mexico, but traveled to Austin to see a neurologist about his condition. They’re also planning to travel to Arizona next week for a second opinion as he continues to be treated by his regular doctor in Taos.


“Meanwhile, as we are working with Joe’s health, he and I have listened to files and files and files of music that he recorded in his studio in Austin over the years,” Sharon says. “We have discovered and unearthed treasures of brilliant recordings. Some are coming together as complete albums. The latest album Joe wanted to release as soon as possible is ‘Love & Freedom.'”

Along with the upcoming album release, Joe Ely has also been announced as one of the honorees for the 2025 American Music Honors, administrated by Bruce Springsteen’s Archives & Center for American Music. Since Joe Ely’s music straddles rock and country, his legacy has never been properly commemorated in either genre, despite the significant influence his music has had on fellow performers. Springsteen called Ely and told him his 60 years of contributions to American music were worth recognizing.

“Working on his music keeps [Joe] focused and interested,” Sharon explains. “Being the workaholic he has always been, to sit around and do nothing is ok now and then, but not all the time. This has been great for Joe as we both weave through this journey together in a meaningful way.”

Joe Ely’s Love & Freedom is now available for pre-save/preorder.

Track List:

1. Shake Em Up
2. Adios Sweet Dreams
3. Magdalene
4. Deportee (feat. Ryan Bingham)
5. Waiting Around To Die
6. Sgt. Blaylock
7. Today It Did
8. Band of Angels
9. For The Sake of the Song
10. Here’s To The Brave
11. What Kind of War
12. No One Wins
13. Surrender to the West

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