Lady A’s Charles Kelley has revealed that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, after a series of unexplained rib fractures led to further testing.
Kelley, 45, and his wife, Cassie, shared the health update in a video posted jointly with Lady A on Instagram on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Despite the diagnosis, the singer said he feels optimistic about his treatment and intends to continue making music and performing when possible.
“I had a couple of random rib fractures that happened, which sparked my doctor into having me do several different blood tests,” Kelley explained. “One of the last blood tests we did, they found a blood cancer in there called multiple myeloma, and it’s rare.”
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells found in bone marrow, according to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
Kelley said advances in treatment have given him reason for hope as he begins navigating the illness.
“I’m young, and I feel healthy, and the treatments, I will say, have just come so far even in the past five years, that life expectancy just far exceeds what it used to be,” he said. “I feel really hopeful, I really do.”
Charles Kelley plans to keep fans updated
The Lady A member has previously spoken publicly about his sobriety journey, including sharing an update in 2023. Kelley said that experience influenced his family’s decision to be open about his cancer diagnosis rather than face it privately.
“We 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, but we’re going to get through it,” he said.
Kelley added that the one-day-at-a-time outlook he has embraced in sobriety is also shaping how he approaches treatment.
“In sobriety, it’s all about one day at a time, and that we’re not in control, so that’s the way we’re looking at it,” he said. “Right now, I feel great.”
For now, Kelley expects to remain active with Lady A. The trio has a new album coming soon, along with Christmas performances, and Kelley said he believes the first six months of his treatment will allow him to continue working.
“I think physically, I will feel like myself,” he said. “I’ll have tough days, but I wanna keep working.”
Lady A recently performed in Kansas and Oklahoma, and Kelley said returning to the stage after learning of his diagnosis reinforced his desire to stay connected to his work.
“Even going out last weekend after even knowing the news, was like, ‘This is where I belong,’” he said. “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.”
He characterized the diagnosis as another obstacle he believes he and his family can overcome, saying, “I’m hopeful, I really am … it’s just another hurdle and I feel confident that we are going to get through it.”
Lady A and country artists send their support
Messages of encouragement quickly followed the announcement. Lady A’s Instagram account responded, “We love you, Charles,” while bandmate Hillary Scott wrote, “The strongest duo right there! Love y’all so much! You got this!”
Martina McBride offered her help in a comment, writing, “Love you! Here for whatever you need. You got this.” Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay added, “Love you brother!”
Brittney Spencer sent love to Kelley and his family as they begin the health journey, while Jake Owen wrote that he was praying for them and “lifting you up brother.”
What Happens Next?
Kelley plans to undergo treatment while continuing his work with Lady A as his health permits. Beyond the group’s forthcoming record and Christmas shows, Lady A is scheduled to begin its This Winter’s Night Tour 2026 in December.
The trio has also recently released “I Love the One,” a collaboration with Boyz II Men. The track is part of an upcoming collection of music inspired by the series The Chosen.
As treatment moves forward, Kelley and his family plan to continue sharing updates with fans.