Americana star Joshua Ray Walker announces lung cancer diagnosis, launches GoFundMe page
Texas-based Americana and country favorite Joshua Ray Walker has announced that he has stage 4 lung cancer.
Over the past decade, the performer has joined artists like Leon Bridges, Charley Crockett and Vincent Neil Emerson in a surge from Dallas' underground scene to national and global renown in music industry hub cities, Nashville included.
To aid his cost of living and out-of-pocket health expenses while he continues to battle his diagnosis, Walker set up a GoFundMe page.
He adds that he's currently applying for financial aid, grants and charities while attempting to work as much as possible and retain his financial independence.
However, he notes that "it's unclear what kind of effect radiation will have on my lungs, but it is certainly worrisome for someone whose livelihood depends heavily on singing. I admit that my pride is what kept me from asking for help sooner, but given this latest unexpected turn in my cancer status, I'm ready to accept your support if you have the means to help."
Joshua Ray Walker's rising career
On the back of his animated falsetto register and songs like 2021's retro-styled country soul groove "Sexy After Dark," April 2022 saw Walker break out with his Grand Ole Opry debut and a performance opening for Wheeler Walker Jr. at the Ryman Auditorium.
"When seen against the field of talent he's compared to, Joshua is a generational talent," Crockett said of his fellow Texan in a 2022 Tennesean feature. "He's the only guy I've ever seen who just needs himself and his guitar — not even a band — to bring a crowd of 500 to 1,500 in a club to complete silence every night."
Summer 2023 saw him release "What Is It Even?" The album featured covers of songs by female artists, including Beyoncé, Cher, Whitney Houston, Sinead O'Connor and Dolly Parton. However, an impressive take on Lizzo's 2019 bluesy pop anthem "Cuz I Love You" was viewed as a critical standout.
2024 found him, amid rising health concerns, releasing the ballad "Thank You For Listening."
Via social media, Walker notes that the song "has definitely been colored by what's been happening in my life throughout the process of creating it. What started as a simple 'thank you' to my fans ended up having a much deeper meaning, including my mortality, but this is in no way a goodbye. I'm going to fight with everything I have, and my odds are great. All I ask is for your patience and healing thoughts during this time."
Walker's health over the past year
Nine months ago, Walker announced that his doctors found a localized cancer in his colon. He believed that because it was discovered early, he would undergo surgery and chemotherapy starting in January to remove part of his colon and reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
He expected a full recovery without further treatment.
Walker posted a social media update highlighting that though he'd finished chemotherapy treatments and was rebuilding his immune system and strength, further testing on the status of his cancer showed multiple nodes of varying sizes in both of his lungs. This, following being told that he had a "90% chance" of having clear tests post-treatment.
He's added that he's getting a lung biopsy and will start radiation soon.
"The odds have definitely shifted, but I'm not going to publish them here. It seems defeatist and unnecessary. I'll let you know what they were after I beat them. I've always lived life to the fullest and I will continue to do so," the performer adds.
For more information on Joshua Ray Walker, visit joshuaraywalker.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Americana singer Joshua Ray Walker diagnosed with lung cancer
