Get Well and Good Luck, Joshua Ray Walker

Joshua Ray Walker is one of the greatest singers, and one of the greatest songwriters of the new generation of country music performers, full stop. The command and control he exhibits with his voice includes a dramatic range that leaves most of his peers in the dust, and his yodel is as crisp as a December morning. His songs are so good, he won the Saving Country Music Song of the Year in 2020 with “Voices,” and had another song “Cowboy” nominated in 2021.
Throughout 2023 though, Joshua Ray Walker has been suffering through some health issues. Saving Country Music was tipped off to this previously, but asked to keep quiet. One issue came to light in a very obvious way through the release of his recent live album I Opened For The Killers And All I Got Was Appendicitis (read review). A pretty killer live album, it illustrates why Walker is such a musical treasure.
But that is just the beginning of it. In a note posted on social media on Thursday (12-14), Joshua Ray Walker reveled that he has been diagnosed with colon Cancer. He will have to cancel many of his upcoming shows, and will be receiving treatment in the new year.
“I have been dealing with some health issues this year that have made my quality of life on the road and off pretty brutal lately. Even though my prognosis isn’t what I would have hoped for, it is a huge relief to have some answers and a course of action moving forward,” Walker says.
He continues, “Basically, my doctors have found a localized cancer in my colon, and I will be undergoing surgery to remove part of my colon on January, 3rd. Luckily, we found it early, and it’s likely I’ll make a full recovery without further treatment. This is great news, but I will need to take a few months off after the surgery to recover.”
As part of the news, Walker has released a new song called “Thank You For Listening” that he says will be part of a new acoustic project where he will perform some of his old songs and perhaps some other stuff coming in 2024. Though Walker says it wasn’t planned like this, the new song addresses his own mortality, and how if he stopped tomorrow, he would be happy that he’s fulfilled what he set out to accomplish, giving his fans credit for helping to make it all happen.
“I would have written songs and continued to play them to empty bar rooms forever, but because of you I’ve been able to accomplish more than I ever could have dreamed. I still can’t believe that people want to hear my songs. So ‘Thank You For Listening,’ and we’ll get through this together. This song is for you. Love y’all!”
This news comes as Joshua Ray Walker’s career continues to take off and sees big opportunities. Opening for The Killers was one of them. Another was his recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live promoting his recent covers album What Is It Even?
The obvious concern that some will address is that Joshua Ray Walker is a bigger individual. Nobody knows the specific struggles certain individuals go though with their weight, from thyroid problems and other endocrine issues, to other things out of their control. Hopefully this whole episode results in a more whole health solution for Joshua Ray Walker moving forward.
What is clear is that Walker is a highly valued member of the country music community who we’ve been lucky to have around for the last few years, and we all hope to have around for many many more.
December 15, 2023 @ 9:14 am
Oh, man, I hope he’s okay. Colon cancer is no joke (not that any kind of cancer is)
December 15, 2023 @ 9:52 am
Well, the astrological sign is a joke, but other than that…
December 15, 2023 @ 9:19 am
I wish him well!
And I encourage everyone to get those colonoscopies, they are life savers and nothing to be scared of.
December 15, 2023 @ 9:23 am
Best Wishes and Get Well vibes are being sent your way JRW. SCM and its fans wish you as speedy a recovery as possible.
December 15, 2023 @ 9:27 am
Godspeed to his recovery!
December 15, 2023 @ 9:41 am
Phenomenal talent and super down-to-earth guy. I wish him success in battling cancer and hope to see him back in action as soon as possible, Colonoscopies are super important. If you have health insurance and don’t want colon cancer it’s a no brainer. Do it. ✌️
December 15, 2023 @ 11:15 am
Great advice. Also research your family history because that is a very helpful guide when to start getting checked.
December 15, 2023 @ 9:45 am
He’ll probably need a bag for a bit while the intestines heal. I had colon cancer in 2020 which resulted in the complete removal of my large intestine (past severe Crohn’s issues). It was caught very early, so my advice to everyone is this: if you have family history or past gut issues, please don’t put it off. The scope ain’t fun, but neither is cancer.
Side note: this site and the playlists really helped me get through those rough recovery times. One album in particular was “Turmoil and Tinfoil” by Billy Strings whilst I was rolling on ketamine in the hospital. It was wild. Thank you, Trig.
PSA over. Godspeed, JRW.
December 15, 2023 @ 9:47 am
I am supposed to see him in Pioneertown in July, but I don’t expect him to be recovered by then. I just hope the guy gets better. His voice is angelic and I love his style. Wishing him the best.
December 15, 2023 @ 9:51 am
Get well big man. Maybe the appendicitis was a blessing in disguise if it helped with an early cancer diagnosis.
December 15, 2023 @ 10:59 am
Sorry to hear this. Good luck with your surgery and a wish for a speedy recovery.
December 15, 2023 @ 11:51 am
Sending Lots of Love, Joshua.
Power down, try to be as Peaceful as possible, during this next year.
Your job now is to concentrate on your health.
If you ease your mind, your body will heal faster.
✨ ????
Prayers going up!
December 15, 2023 @ 11:54 am
The song really hits hard in the wake of the news. “One of a Kind” tends to get thrown around a lot but he really seems to fit that description. Wishing him the best!
December 15, 2023 @ 12:50 pm
I wish JRW the very best. It was good to see he and the band was only drinking water when I saw him recently. Hope that he receives great treatment. He is still a young man, and if he makes the necessary changes there is no reason he can’t have a long, good life.
December 15, 2023 @ 1:29 pm
Much love for JRW. Get well soon dude
jrw rips
December 15, 2023 @ 4:11 pm
Praying for a speedy and complete recovery. We need more songs like “Lot Lizard”, and we need them quick!
December 17, 2023 @ 4:33 am
Big fan of this guy, got all his albums, i m sure he will overcome his troubles and come out on the other side stronger than ever!
December 17, 2023 @ 12:58 pm
Get well soon JRW. Hope to see you back on a stage in a few months.
December 17, 2023 @ 8:30 pm
One of the best artists this site has brought to my attention! Get well!
December 17, 2023 @ 10:59 pm
This is a beautiful tune by JRW that’s very heartfelt like all of his great music…
Get healthy, JRW, fans like me want at least twenty more albums from you!
December 18, 2023 @ 8:54 am
man that sucks, just listened to his new song “Thanks for Listening” which makes much more sense with this news. If it was not too late I was thinking this song should be on the song of the year list, very powerful. If you have not given it a listen you must.
December 18, 2023 @ 8:56 am
DUH, sorry everyone, I read through the article quickly and did not realize Trigger attached the song. Such a powerful song.
December 19, 2023 @ 12:33 pm
Man I hate to read this. I caught him in Bend this summer at a tiny venue. He is such a nice guy, got to take a picture with him and then he put on a hell of a show. Hope he makes a quick recovery, he is one of the truest and most talented artists in the game right now.
January 9, 2024 @ 6:19 pm
Sorry to hear Joshua . Caught your fantastic show at the Ramcat in Winston Salem NC and talked to you after the show.You are down to earth and genuine . You are such a great talent and there is nobody else like you. I am praying for you and hope to see you again !