Phil Leadbetter, known better as bluegrass artist Uncle Phil, announced last month that he is battling Hodgkins Lymphoma. 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 for several Grammys. In 2003 Gibson Guitars released the Phil Leadbetter Signature Dobro Guitar in his honor. He has since been awarded “Dobro Player of the Year” by IBMA and “Bluegrass Album of the Year” at the SPBGMA Awards.   Despite the difficulty of fighting Hodgkins Lymphoma, Phil is staying optimistic, “I know in the end I’ll be OK.” Phil had no health insurance when he learned about having this disease, and he is currently seeking donations to offset the costs of treatment.

To learn about how you can help, please visit www.unclephilfund.com where you can find donation information and scheduled benefit concerts.

Donations and get well cards can also be sent to

Phil Leadbetter

P.O Box 70713

Knoxville, TN 37938-0713