Lady A singer Charles Kelley has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, the 45-year-old country musician announced in an Instagram video on Tuesday.
Kelley disclosed his health condition while sitting alongside his wife of 17 years, Cassie McConnell, who clung to his right arm during the recording.
The Georgia-born musician insisted he felt really hopeful about his diagnosis, explaining that recent medical advances mean life expectancy for the condition far exceeds previous figures.
He expressed a strong desire to keep working as he faces his health crisis, describing the illness as another hurdle and stating he was pretty confident that his family would get through it.
Discovery of the condition
Kelley revealed that the illness was discovered after he experienced unexpected physical symptoms. A couple of random rib fractures occurred, which prompted his doctor to order several blood tests, one of which led to the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer that develops in plasma cells within the bone marrow. In a healthy body, plasma cells produce antibodies to help fight infections, but malignant plasma cells produce abnormal monoclonal proteins that can inflict organ damage.
Reflecting on his prognosis, Kelley noted how much medical care for the disease has improved in recent years. "And it's rare, but I'm young," Kelley said. "I feel healthy and the treatments, I will say, have just come so far even in the past five years that even the life expectancy just far exceeds what it used to be. And I don't know, I feel really hopeful. I really do."
Support network and sobriety journey
Kelley shared that he and McConnell have drawn strength from a personal friend who is also battling the condition. He explained that their friend is about two months ahead of him on the treatment path and has been sharing her journey, which helped him immensely as he faced his own diagnosis.
The singer compared his outlook on cancer treatment to the mindset required for his ongoing sobriety. Kelley previously disclosed in 2022 that he had entered rehab and quit drinking following a bender that prompted McConnell to threaten divorce.
"I think in the same spirit of the way we've kind of shared a lot of my sobriety journey, just getting this stuff off your chest is so freeing, and it takes the power away from it a little bit, that we wanted to let y'all know what was going on," Kelley said in the video.
"But we're going to get through it," he added. "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."
Family life and upcoming projects
McConnell and Kelley exchanged vows in Nashville in 2009. The couple share two sons, 10-year-old Ward and Archer, who turned one this month.
Looking ahead, Kelley intends to keep working for at least the next six months. During that period, Lady A plans to release a new album, the title of which remains undisclosed, and perform a series of Christmas concerts.
Kelley stated that he expects his initial treatment phase to be manageable while continuing his career. He said he believed his first half-year of treatment was not going to be too super invasive, allowing him to continue working and physically feel like himself despite expected tough days.
"I need to be happy and doing what I love to do and spending and soaking up as much time with my family as I can as well," Kelley said regarding his commitment to balancing work and family.
Career with Lady A
Kelley formed Lady A in Nashville in 2006 alongside bandmates Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood. The trio originally performed under the name Lady Antebellum before shortening their name.
The group achieved significant mainstream success, earning acclaim in both country and pop charts. Their major hits include Need You Now, which marked their most substantial crossover success, alongside songs such as American Honey, Just a Kiss, Our Kind of Love and Bartender.
