Billy Block
Terrible news out of Nashville, as longtime radio host, event emcee, session drummer and tireless advocate for struggling country musicians Billy Block announced that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma.
Block, 58, went public with the diagnosis yesterday in a letter to friends and family written by his wife, Jill Block.
“Many of you already know that we have had some rough news this holiday,” she wrote. “My sweet husband, soulmate, father to my boys and very best friend has been diagnosed with stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma. After only a chest scan, his cancer is in his lymph nodes, spleen and liver. He is starting a clinical trial here in Nashville this month that is promising and gives us hope. ...
"Billy is not in any pain yet and the cancer was discovered when he went to his doctor for bronchitis a couple of weeks ago. If the treatment here is not getting the results we hope for, we have an open door at [University of Texas] MD Anderson to pursue more aggressive therapy.”
Jill Block goes on to write that, due to surgeries from previous bouts with melanoma, her husband is not eligible for disability insurance. The family has thus established the Billy Block Family Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, encouraging well-wishing family members, friends and fans to donate.
Block's friends are many. Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line and The Avett Brothers are among the innumerable artists who made pre-fame appearances on The Billy Block Show. Like a junior Grand Ole Opry or mini Midnight Jamboree, the weekly stage and radio show has broadcast live, in myriad incarnations, from Nashville clubs including the Exit/In, 12th & Porter and Mercy Lounge over stations such as 103 WKDF and, most recently, The Big 98 WSIX, for nearly 18 years.
“[Billy’s] a bit of an alchemist, and demonstrates the triumph of will and good intention,” country/Americana legend Rodney Crowell tells the Scene. “He's supported a lot of underdog artists. He's given them a forum onstage and on his radio show."
A multi-instrumentalist and session drummer, Block’s lengthy list of performance credits spans more than four decades, and is punctuated by names like Elvis Presley, Frank Black, Freddy Fender and Steve Cropper.
“What people forget, and I'm mindful of, is his musicianship," Crowell says. "He'll get me to play his Western Beat show, and I always want him to play drums. He's a great drummer. He really swings, and plays with a lot of panache. He plays like he is.”
Jill Block says her husband is optimistic and ready to fight the disease, an advanced, life-threatening form of skin cancer.
“Billy is in the fight of his life,” she tells the Scene. “We know that because of Billy's undeniable spirit, and through the prayers of our friends in the music community in Nashville, we will continue to pull together, the way Billy has always pulled us together. We are grateful for all the prayers and well wishes for our family at this time.”
Billy Block addressed friends on Facebook Dec. 31. “It is my only and focused resolution this year to show my family, friends and especially my kids how undeniable faith, powerful will and heroic courage can create victory over cancer,” he said. “Thankfully I will be able to continue to work, play music, produce shows and lead as close to normal a life as possible while focused on the path to wellness.”
“[Billy] keeps the energy up when the doldrums hit,” Crowell says.
Those wanting to make donations to the Billy Block Fund can make donations as a gift at any Wells Fargo branch office or mail checks (payable to Wells Fargo; attention Bradley Gallimore or Danielle Lares-Bouharoun) to Wells Fargo Private Bank, 3100 West End Ave., One American Center, Suite 550, Nashville, TN 37203.
Additional reporting by Jack Silverman.
