Grand Ole Opry star Jim Ed Brown - whose 60-year recording career included hits as part of The Browns family trio, as a duet act with Helen Cornelius and as a solo performer - will stay off the road for the next few months to deal with a lung-cancer diagnosis, according to USA Today.
The 80-year-old singer, known for hits like "The Three Bells," "Pop a Top" and "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You," posted the following on his Facebook page on Sept 30:
"Some of you may have heard various rumors since I have had to cancel a few shows over the past few weekends. To clarify and put those rumors to bed, I wanted to just come out and explain what is going on. Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. At that time, I was in shock and scared as I didn't know what that really meant. After testing, the doctors have asked me to take the next 4 months off from touring and to focus on chemotherapy and radiation treatments to shrink the cancer cells. I will keep you all updated on the progress. I am forever grateful for the love, support, and prayers during this time."
The star is receiving intensive treatments to combat the disease, and is optimistic about his recovery, The Boot reported.
"I just had my first treatment today," he shared in a video, "and I'm going to beat it with chemo and radiation. But I want to thank you for your prayers and support. And I'm going to beat this little thing called cancer, and I'm going to be all right in the next, well, maybe four months, OK? See you next year!"
The news comes only a couple weeks after Brown announced plans to release his first album in 30 years, "In Style Again."
"I love new music," Brown explained. "I guess the whole world does. It's always good to hear a new song. I love what I do. People have always been great to me. They have accepted me into their homes and lives. It's unreal what radio and television has done for me. I am a very blessed man."
Brown celebrated 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry last year.
Brown and his sisters, Maxine and Bonnie, first hit the country charts in the mid-1950s with songs like "I Take the Chance" and "I Heard the Bluebirds Sing," noted USA Today. Their biggest hit, "The Three Bells," spent 10 weeks atop the Billboard country charts, and later, was famously featured in the final season of "The Sopranos." The group joined the Opry cast in 1963.
Brown had his first solo hit in 1965 with "I Heard From a Memory Last Night," last scoring with "Pop a Top," "Morning" and "Angel's Sunday," among others. During the '70s and early '80s, he teamed up with Helen Cornelius for a string of hits, including the chart-topping "I Don't Want to Have to Marry You." He also hosted a pair of shows for The Nashville Network during the '80s.
