Charles Kelley, a founding member and co-lead vocalist of country music trio Lady A, has shared that he has been diagnosed with blood cancer.
The 45-year-old American musician helped establish the group in 2006.
In a video posted to Instagram alongside his wife Cassie, captioned "a little health update", Kelley revealed he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer.
He said: "Hey everybody. Just wanted to give a quick update on some health issues I’m dealing with.
"I had (a) couple random rib fractures that happened, which sparked my doctor into having me do several different blood tests. And one of the last blood tests we did, they found a blood cancer in there called multiple myeloma, and it’s rare."
He continued: "I’m young, I feel healthy, and the treatments I will say have just come so far, even in the past five years. Even life expectancy just far exceeds what it used to be and, I don’t know, I feel really hopeful. I really do."
Kelley went on to draw a parallel between sharing his medical diagnosis and speaking openly about his recovery journey.
"Just getting this stuff off your chest is so freeing, and it takes the power away from it a little bit that we want to let y’all know what was going on. But we’re going to get through it. You know, I think in sobriety it’s all about one day at a time and that we’re not in control, and so that’s the way we’re looking at it," he said.
The singer has previously been open about his struggles with alcohol, which prompted the band to postpone the remainder of their Request Line Tour in 2022 to support his "journey to sobriety".
Concluding the video, the musician emphasised that he remains "hopeful" despite the health news.
"Right now I feel great and we’ve got a new record coming out soon with Lady A and we’ve got Christmas shows. This first six months of treatment is not going to be too invasive I believe – I can still work and I think physically I will feel like myself. I will have tough days, but I want to keep working. I need to be happy and doing what I love to do, and soaking up as much time with my family as I can," he said.
"It’s just another hurdle, and you know, I’m confident that we’re going to get through it."
Kelley’s bandmates offered their support in the comments, with lead vocalist Hillary Scott writing: "The strongest duo right there! Love y’all so much! You’ve got this!"
Meanwhile, Dave Haywood shared: "Covering you in prayer brother. Love y’all. We’re all here for you!"
In her own Instagram video, Kelley’s wife Cassie – who shares sons Ward, 10, and Archer, one, with the singer – explained that the family had experienced a "challenging few weeks".
"This has, as you can imagine, been a really hard season," she said, through tears.
"This diagnosis is pretty new so we are just adjusting to it as a family. But we want to try and keep our lives as normal as possible, our routines as normal as possible for Ward, specifically, to the best of our ability."
She added: "Until the doctor tells (Charles) he can’t keep (performing), he’s going to keep doing that."
Lady A – previously known as Lady Antebellum – are set to perform a run of US Christmas shows this December as part of their This Winter’s Night tour.
The band achieved global prominence with their 2009 hit single Need You Now, which topped the US chart for five consecutive weeks.
Read MoreSlipknot fans in uproar over Marilyn Manson support slot
Liam Gallagher hurls insults at Coronation Street star in row over Oasis comment
Migos rapper Quavo shares joy after confirming birth of baby daughter
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi receives royal honour at Windsor Castle
Oasis blocks planned auction of archive recordings
Indie music icon announces he’ll quit touring after Wembley show
