Texas music icon Joe Ely has shared some tough news with fans. In an interview with the Austin American-Statesman, Ely revealed he’s been diagnosed with both Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Ely told the Statesman, “Music has been my salvation through all of this. I still get joy from singing and playing. That’s what keeps me going.”
The Lubbock native and Flatlanders co-founder has been a cornerstone of Texas music for decades, known for blending country, rock, and Tex-Mex sounds into something uniquely his own. He was also named the Texas State Musician in 2016.
Even while facing these diagnoses, Ely and his wife Sharon said they wanted to be open in hopes of raising awareness. Sharon told the Statesman, “We’ve seen the power of music to connect people, and that’s what Joe has always stood for.”
Fans across Texas and beyond continue to send their love and support to a man whose songs have soundtracked so many lives.
The entire KOKE-FM family is sending prayers, love, and support to Joe and his loved ones.
Full story via the Austin American-Statesman: Read Here
Comments