Lady A singer Charles Kelley diagnosed with rare blood cancer

MUSICCharles KelleyAdd TopicLady A singer Charles Kelley diagnosed with rare blood cancer Taijuan MoormanUSA TODAYSept. 29, 2026, 1:44 p.m. ETHear this storyLady A’s Charles Kelley has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

The country singer and musician, 44, revealed the diagnosis alongside his wife, Cassie Kelley, in an Instagram post shared Tuesday, Sept. 29. Kelley said recent rib fractures led to his doctor doing bloodwork, which revealed a “rare” blood cancer called multiple myeloma.

“I’m young. I feel healthy,” Kelley said, noting “the life expectancy far exceeds what it used to be. I feel really hopeful.”

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells, or white blood cells that help fight infections by producing antibodies, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include fatigue, bone pain, weakness, weight loss, infections and kidney issues.

From 2015 to 2024, the death rate for people diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the U.S. fell about 3% each year, according to the nonprofit.

Kelley, who has been open online since starting his alcohol sobriety journey in 2022, said he wanted to share the diagnosis for similar reasons. “Getting this stuff off your chest is so freeing, and it takes the power away from it a little bit,” 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 we’re looking at it.”

Kelley said his first six months of treatment likely won’t be “super invasive” and that he still plans to keep performing, with Lady A promoting a new track and preparing for Christmas shows later in the year.

“I think physically I will feel like myself. I’ll have tough days, but I want to keep working,” he continued. “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. But I’m hopeful.”