Paul Cauthen is sitting down and telling fans why he’s been MIA.
Starting off the new year, the Texas native, a modern-day outlaw constantly speaking out on the current state of country music, shocked fans when he announced that he would be canceling the remainder of his U.S. headlining tour dates.
“Starting today Paul is leaving the road and going back to Texas to take care of his mental and physical health. We all love Paul very much and we are very happy and relieved that he has made this decision to put himself first.
It is obviously necessary to cancel all of his shows for the foreseeable future and each venue will be able to provide information on cancellations and refunds. Join us in lifting up Paul and anyone near you that may be suffering.”
The “Cocaine Country Dancing” singer seemingly chose to step away himself and wanted to focus on getting back to the right headspace both mentally and physically to hit the road again when he was ready. At the time of this announcement, Cauthen provided little information about his reasoning other than what the statement provided, and after this announcement, he went dark on social media.
Given how consuming social media can be, fans did not think very much about him taking a step back, especially since he noted he was canceling shows to take care of his mental health.
However, today, Cauthen posted an update for fans explaining why he’s been offline, sharing the heartbreaking news that after taking a step back from touring, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
“How y’all doing? Paul Cauthen, here. It’s been a while since I’ve talked to my fans, and I wanted to give y’all a little message here today. I know I’ve kind of been blacked out, you know, not really present online, but just know it’s been for the right reasons.
You know, I had pneumonia on the road, and I was taking a bunch of steroids to get me through those shows, but something woke me up, and I was blue in my lips and white in my face, and just scared hell out of me. Went up to the front of my bus and talked to my bus driver, Tony. I was like, ‘Where are we?’ Looked at the front of the bus window, and it said Des Moines International Airport- next exit. I flew home. I kind of shook myself, you know, and listened to myself for the first time in a long time.
I decided to go up to the Cooper Clinic in Dallas after getting healthy for a few weeks, and wanted to get my body checked out. So I go up there and get a bunch of scans done and happened to be clear. Great heart, lungs, liver’s great – you know. But he said, ‘Well, we do have this one little spot…’ What he called a ‘hot spot.’
They found a mass in my right thyroid, and it, uh, they told me that it is papillary carcinoma. And it’s, uh, cancer.
Looking back at it all, slowing down and taking some time to get healthy and getting off the road actually probably ended up saving my life. I have had a lot of time to reflect and realize that life is short and precious and, um, just know that I thank you so much for all of your unwavering support through it all.
I will tour again. I will sing on stage again. I’m not done by any means. I’ll have new music. I will keep on writing and keep on doing what I know that I need to do. And I know that I’m a vessel on stage. That God has me here for a reason. Had me go up to the Cooper Clinic and get all this checked out for a reason. So, thank you, and God bless you. Be kind to one another. Peace.”
Fans quickly filled out the post’s comments section, wishing Cauthen the best as he enters this battle. Paul Cauthen has faced many challenges in his life, and just like he has with the others, I am sure he will conquer these challenges with flying colors.
We are thinking of you, Big Velvet. You’ve got this.
