Put Eightball Back Together Again

Our friend and fellow musician, Eightball Aitken, needs another invasive surgery, is without health insurance, and will be unable to perform while he recovers. Let's show our support for the sweetest, most fun guy around.

Message from Eightball:

I’M VERY SORRY TO BE SHARING THIS NEWS. I really don’t want to tell everyone my struggles, but I feel it’s best to be honest and open about what’s going on in my life.

A surgeon confirmed to me yesterday that I am going to need another hernia surgery to repair the one I had last year. It’s extremely painful and I’m not looking forward to going through surgery again.

I’m very sorry to all my fans and supporters but I’m cancelling all of my live online gigs until I’m fully repaired. I’ve tried not to complain, but it’s become unbearable. I’ve suffered this debilitating condition for the last 17-months. My hernia surgery from last April has never fully let up and stopped swelling. I know what it’s like to fall down on stage, get back up, and keep singing. It’s been a long hard road of pain. I’ve pushed my mind and body to the limit and now it’s time to rest.

I’ve performed over over 40 live shows throughout the pandemic and I’ve learned hundreds of requests for good folks in an attempt to keep spirits up. I‘ve wanted to stay strong while sharing music, love, peace, jokes, and smiles. I feel I’ve done that as best I can.

I’ve remained positive through a challenging year of being apart from my girlfriend and family in Australia. COVID shutdowns landed me in Nashville as a second option when I couldn’t get a flight from the U.K to Australia. I’ve been a touring musician for 18 years and now there’s no touring to do for months, possibly years. My job is effectively redundant.

The current challenge is being injured in America with no health insurance, and unable to travel back to Australia (where there is free health care) with the lack of flights and the COVID quarantine laws. It would take at least two or three months minimum to get help in Australia if I tried to return now. I’m having trouble even walking around the block let alone getting on a plane to cross the world and go into quarantine then waiting around for appointments etc.

I’ve spent five months of lockdown in Nashville writing and recording this year. I’m so close to finishing two new albums that I feel are my best work yet. I don’t want to stop making music, but getting well is priority.

I feel like I’m letting people down by not performing online, but I have to put my health first. At this stage there’s not much I can do except lie down and rest most of the day. I’m hoping that somehow I can get in to surgery as soon as possible.

A few friends here in Nashville have suggested I should start a GoFundMe page to help with the surgery costs. I am hesitant to ask for help, but it does seem like a possible way to get me stitched and glued back together in an American hospital.

I remain positive about the future and I count my blessings every day. All challenges are temporary and I’ll be back rocking again (with another scar to show off) as soon as I possible can.

I don’t have answers yet, but I’ll let you know when I do.

Thanks for the love and support. Be well, stay cool.

8 Ball