It's been quite a year for Nat Myers.
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The country-blues singer announced earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with a rare cancer known as sarcoma.
"What I thought was a prolonged lung infection turned out to be much more sinister, with growths round my heart and pulmonary artery," he said in a social media post.
Myers continued, "Doctors of varying humanity have given me days, or weeks to live, but I live by my odds and not there's."
Months later, the 'Yellow Peril' singer appears to be defying the odds those doctors laid out for him and is forging his own path.
Who Is Nat Myers?
The Kentucky-based songwriter found inspiration in early 20th-century blues legends like Skip James and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Known for his fingerpicking style of guitar playing, Meyers took to the streets to perform.
Clips of the performer began circulating on social media. Then, his music caught the attention of Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Myers signed with Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label and released 'Yellow Peril' in 2023.
The album highlighted Myers' fascination with blues and country, exploring themes of race and identity rooted in his Korean-American heritage.
When news of his diagnosis began to circulate, a GoFundMe was created to help pay for treatment. It has raised over $237,000 so far. Charlie Crockett even put up his 1984 Cadillac as a sweepstakes prize to raise money for Myers.
How Is Myers Doing Now?
Over the summer, Myers released several new singles, including "Louisville Blues," and performed at some festivals. His latest update, which he shared last week, sounds even more promising.
He says his tumors "appear to be responding to the chemo," and doctors are mapping out a treatment plan.
"They told me my current job right now in this cancer fight is making music, & to 'leave the cancer' for them to fight," he continued. "They said that instead of just a plan A, B, and C, there are a lot of plans they've been considering for my fight. So I'm gonna do just that, & keep making great music... I am the strongest person I know, & I will persevere even with this struggle on top of my fighting & beating this cancer."
Myers said he will persevere: "I'll keep my Zen and stay the course. I'm feeling better than ever and plan to stay that way for a long time."
Photo by Jim Herrington
