Stars arrive on the red carpet at the 13th K-LOVE Fan Awards
MercyMe, Matthew West, Anne Wilson, Lauren Daigle and more walk the red carpet outside the Grand Ole Opry ahead of the 13th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards.
- Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody is in critical condition with heart and kidney failure.
- Cody requires a double transplant of a heart and kidney for survival.
- He has been placed on an ECMO life-support machine after his health declined further.
- His daughter has publicly asked for prayers for his recovery and transplant qualification.
Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and Country Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody is in critical condition, his daughter said in a social media plea for prayers.
Cody was admitted to the ICU in heart and kidney failure about three weeks ago, his daughter, Hannah Davis, shared in a Facebook post May 31.
“After weeks of being on a roller coaster of emotions, tests, dialysis, medications, steps forwards and steps backwards, it was determined earlier this week that his only option for survival would be a double transplant, heart and kidney,” Davis said on social media.
“Many prayers have been prayed this week that he would pass all necessary tests to qualify for the transplant list,” she wrote. “And those prayers were answered.”
Though Cody passed the necessary tests, his health has continued to decline.
“Last night, his heart strength and ability to pump blood took a downward spiral and we got a call from his doctor early this morning that they were having to intubate him to put him on ECMO, a machine that does the hearts job for him,” Davis said on social media.
Davis took to social media to ask for prayers that her father won’t experience any risks from the intensive care life-support system ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and the transplant team will find a candidate when they meet Tuesday.
“Friends. Prayer warriors. I believe in the power of prayer and my daddy needs prayers,” she wrote.
“Pray that he will not experience any of the risks that come along with ECMO – stroke, blood clots (and/or) infection, pray that the next 48 hours on ECMO gives his body time to rest and gain strength (as) this is his biggest hurdle for transplant qualification right now … (and) pray that the transplant team that meets on Tuesdays will find him a candidate for transplant and get him put on the list,” she added.
“We need a miracle and we know God is able. Please, if you’re able, stop and pray for these things. Our family can’t thank you enough. We love you all.”
As one of the most familiar and beloved voices in country music broadcasting, Cody has helped shape the soundtrack of Nashville for decades, according to WSM Radio.
His career spans nearly 50 years on the airwaves, including roles in nationally syndicated radio, television, and film, and more than 30 years as host of WSM Radio’s flagship morning show, Coffee, Country & Cody.
Over the years, Cody has earned multiple nominations from the CMA, ACM and Billboard for broadcasting excellence, WSM Radio reports.
He was recently honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in the fall of 2024 and was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 2008.
Together, Cody and his high school sweetheart, Rebecca, have raised three children and live just outside Cross Plains, Tennessee, in Robertson County.
Katie Nixon can be reached at [email protected].
