Doctors to Phil: “I have no reason to
think that you aren’t cancer free.”

Phil Leadbetter, affectionately known as bluegrass’ veteran dobro master “Uncle Phil,” has been fighting a long battle with cancer. He announced that he was diagnosed with Classic Hodgkins Lymphoma in early 2011. His updates over the months have been a mixed bag of news, sometimes troubling, but always optimistic. Early rounds with chemo resulted in poor results, and alternative treatment had to be sought out. Fortunately, in his newest release, Phil reports that he is responding positively to stem cell treatment.

Phil has played a role in the bluegrass community since 1975, when he founded the Knoxville NewgrassBoys in his teens. He went on to be a part of several bluegrass bands, including JD Crowe’s The New South, for which his work was nominated several Grammys. In 2003 Gibson Guitars released the Phil Leadbetter Signature Dobro in his honor. He has also been highly awarded by organizations such as IBMA and SPBGMA.

After his latest bout of treatment, Phil was released from the hospital, though he’s been staying out of the public spotlight until his immune system is better recovered. His doctors told him “I have no reason to think that you aren’t cancer free.”

Any cancer treatment takes a huge financial toll on the recipient. Many benefits have been set up to assist Phil in assuage the burden of these costs, including Phil Leadbetter Benefit Packages being offered by Pinecastle Records, but it would be great to keep Phil in mind if you can offer anything. Visit the Uncle Phil Fund website for more information.