Mark Chesnutt drank half-gallon of vodka a day before finding sobriety

Mark Chesnutt’s alcoholism nearly cost him his life.

During an appearance “Big D & Bubba” radio show Last week, the 62-year-old “Brother Jukebox” singer got candid about the pitfalls of his addiction, admitting he once drank a shot of vodka a day to cope and opened up about how he managed to find sobriety.

“I quit drinking and that was a huge deal for me. It was a huge deal for me. It almost killed me,” he said. “There’s no other way to say it. It almost killed me.”

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“I had a really bad time there after my back surgery [in 2021]. “I just sat around and drank the whole time,” he continued. “It was all I could do. I couldn’t eat. I was beautiful; I was always unhappy. I started drinking beer. That’s mostly what I drank. “I drank beer occasionally and a little bit of whiskey… and then I started drinking wine… And then I switched to vodka and started drinking vodka really, really hard.”

“Me and the old Tito have been best friends for a long time,” he said.

When asked how much vodka he drank in a day, he admitted: “I used to try too hard… It got worse.”

Chesnutt said he feels better now than he did when he was a young “drunk” in his 20s and 30s.

The musician said his alcohol addiction became “really bad” after back surgery in 2021. (Mat Hayward/Getty Images)

“As you get older, you slow down a little bit. And we don’t have the energy that we had in our 30s, 40s, 20s,” he said. “But actually they tell me I should feel that way, but I don’t. I feel like I have more energy than I did when I was in my 30s.”

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“Because when I was in my 30s, I was drinking too much. In my 40s, I was drinking too much. In my 50s, I was drinking too much. That’s when I stopped. And I couldn’t go on stage and do the things I did when I was drunk when I was younger. I wasn’t a functional drunk anymore. I was just a drunk,” he said, laughing.

“I feel so good now, man. I wake up every day and thank God I can still kick,” he added.

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Chesnutt says drinking nearly killed him. (David Becker/Getty Images)

In 2024, Chesnutt shared a medical report update He thanked his followers on social media for their support.

The caption read, “Yes guys, doctor says I have a new heart!” it said. “I’m recovering comfortably at home with my family. Today we sat on the porch and enjoyed the sun and beautiful Texas weather. But I can’t wait to get back to gathering and singing with my favorite fans! Thank you for all your well wishes and prayers. They helped me in a time of need and meant so much to me. I appreciate you all so very much. See you soon!”

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A week ago, the country music star was hospitalized before undergoing emergency quadruple bypass surgery, according to a report. Instagram post was shared by his team and had to cancel some shows.

The country star says she’s never felt better than she does today. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Thunder)

“Mark Chesnutt is one of the signature country music acts sounds of the 90s and the honky Tonk mainstay for more than three decades, suffered a heart health issue over the weekend that forced him to be hospitalized on the evening of Sunday, June 16; “Mark had emergency quadruple bypass surgery,” the post read.

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In October 2025, Chesnutt canceled another series of concerts after being hospitalized.

“Mark was taken to Baton Rouge General Hospital after his flight arrived for the concert in Alabama on Thursday morning,” Chesnutt’s representative told Fox News Digital. “He is still in the hospital today for testing for a low sodium count and very high blood pressure. He is stable“

He gave an update on his “Big D & Bubba” radio show and said: “I feel good right now. After the heart surgery, I felt like… It was tough. I pushed my body so hard. And I paid the price for it. But you know, I feel a lot better.”