Danny Paisley Has Throat Cancer

GoFundMe for Danny Paisley

The worldwide bluegrass community is defined not only by our love of the music and the tradition, but also our dedication to community. There are some members of our community who are known and revered by everyone. Danny Paisley, the reigning IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, is one of that special class — and he needs our love and support now.

Diagnosed with throat cancer about a month ago, Danny and his family and medical team have decided on a treatment plan which begins June 1st. See Danny’s letter to his friends below for details. Danny’s survival prognosis with this treatment is excellent. Still, there will be some risk to his singing — and, of course, the treatment is not easy and will significantly impact his livelihood.

Musicians have struggled to survive during the pandemic, and a situation like this has additional economic consequences. We needed to talk Danny into allowing us to create this fundraising campaign, but he does acknowledge that financial assistance will be welcome at this time.

We are all huge fans and longtime friends of the Southern Grass family and hope you will join us in supporting Danny Paisley while he’s off the road receiving medical treatment.

We’re hoping to raise $47,000 — in honor of the California Bluegrass Association’s 47th Annual Father’s Day Festival in 2022 — all of which will be given to Danny and his family. Whether or not you're able to make a donation, we appreciate you sharing this campaign on social media and offering some words of support to Danny.

Thanks very much for whatever you’re able to do -

Darby Brandli

Angelica Branum

Kathy Kallick

Laurie Lewis

Tristan Scroggins

Annie Staninec

Peter Thompson

Molly Tuttle

for the California Bluegrass Association (https://californiabluegrass.org)

on behalf of Danny Paisley (https://www.dannypaisley.com)

Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass play powerful, unadorned, and intense traditional bluegrass. There is no hybrid or genre-bending music here. Their combination of instrumentation and vocals convey the energy and emotion of classic bluegrass and country music. Danny’s lead vocals will captivate your senses, so much so that many prominent musicians, including Alison Krauss, have considered Danny as one of their favorite singers. His voice combines powerful range and soulful blues with a sound like no one else in bluegrass today. Since Danny’s father, Bob Paisley (founder of Southern Grass), passed away in 2004, Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass have received more than a dozen International Bluegrass Music Association Award nominations, winning the Song of the Year in 2009.

In 2021, Danny Paisley joined an elite group of singers when he was awarded the IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year for the third time.

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Dear Friends,

In recent weeks, doctors at the University of Pennsylvania diagnosed me with throat cancer, which a biopsy has since confirmed. The good news is that we have caught it early, and I have well over a 90% of being cured. After careful consideration and consultation with my doctors on the different options I have for treatment, I have elected to pursue a course of radiation and chemotherapy. This seems to be the most effective route that negates many long-term side effects. I will begin treatment within the next few weeks, and my care team has given me the green light to keep performing on the weekends early on when the side effects are minimal. However, they have made clear that during the course, my overall touring will be limited, and I will not feel up to playing in the latter weeks of the process, as well as a few that follow the end of treatment. Therefore, I regrettably announce that we will be rescheduling some of our appearances, including those listed below. We have notified the promoters of all these venues, and we thank them for their kindness and understanding. I appreciate your thoughtful wishes and prayers, and we will keep you updated as things progress. We look forward to getting back on the road full-time and seeing all of you again very soon!

- Danny Paisley