Country music stars battling cancer: New name joins the list with incurable diagnosis
PennLive.com • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Charles Kelley, the 45-year-old lead singer of Lady A, revealed he is battling a rare form of blood cancer, joining at least four other country music stars currently fighting or recently lost to cancer.
- Jillian Cardarelli, 33, announced she is cancer-free after a stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer diagnosis, urging others to trust their instincts and advocate for their health.
- Paul Cauthen, 40, has seen his thyroid cancer shrink and become calcified through holistic treatment, avoiding surgery to protect his voice, and recently celebrated the birth of his son.
- Nat Myers is undergoing radiation after a setback in his fight with intimal sarcoma, canceling shows through October to focus on treatment, and encouraging fans to support his music during his battle.
- Richard Sterban, bass singer for The Oak Ridge Boys, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2025, made a triumphant return to the stage at the Grand Ole Opry in early 2026, inspiring fans and bandmates alike.
