Plum Hollow Band

Barney’s Cancer Update
Category: Life

Greetings from the holler…Plum Holler that is!

Well it's about that time again for a Plum Hollow newsletter. Seeing as how we ain't sent one out in 14 years, we thought it was just about time. I'm sorry I have to burden ya'll with news such as this, but this past year has been quite a tough one, and I just wanted to take a minute to share a few things with you all.

We have lost several band members, and we also said farewell to some of our festival family and sponsors as well (due to cancer and other terminal illnesses).

Willard, the deer, was hit by a car and had to be put down. And our latest edition to the family-the ground hog, well, he also bit the dust. And then, if things couldn't get any worse, George Jones (the possum), passed on to that big interstate in the sky too!

Well guess who's turn it is now? A few months back I was diagnosed with throat cancer. I was headstrong at first. I tried to keep it hid from everybody and was determined to get through it some how on my own, without any one finding out.

Then reality struck of the seriousness of what I had. Suddenly, I thought about all I had done for the past forty years - telling the stories, fronting the shows, writing the songs, singing and recording the songs while sawing the fiddle, and here recently starting to break into the film industry. Then…cancer strikes, and all of those thoughts came crashing to an end but proving once again that there's never a shortage in my life when it comes to taking on another nonpaying occupation.

I feel ashamed having to write this, because every one of you is like family to me, and I hate to have to put any burdens on anyone. I feel so blessed to have gotten to know each and every one of you. And I am also thankful for the way you all have supported us for the past thirty some odd years. It's because of you supporting our shows and festivals the way you have, purchasing our cds, movies, tshirts and more, that we have been able to have our own little part of Dixie here on earth. Every time I get on that stage and say this would not be possible if not for ya'll, that's the honest truth and it comes straight from the heart. I feel sure most of you have heavier crosses to bear than I do and probably more than one. It's been a hard few months and more to come, but we will get through it all and we are truly appreciative for all the help we have always received through the past years. No one can deny that we weren't all cut from the same stump.

So, since ya'll made me what I am today, you should be the first to know what the future holds for me, the band and Plum Hollow.

Although we have had to cancel all of our shows and jobs that we have had booked for the past several months, we are still planning on having the Moonshiners Reunion as always (God and bank account willing). It's going to be the first weekend in October….Friday, October 3rd – Saturday, October 4th. The lights might be cut off at the house, but they will be on at the stage!

Yes I will be there, and so will the band. You just may have to settle for a few "Whispering Bill Anderson" songs, but I will do my best. At this point in time I am undergoing daily radiation and also chemotherapy treatments. I am not allowed to have many visitors because of my immune system, and I can't talk on a phone because I don't really have a voice at all. But, I can receive emails and I think there's talk about posting my daily blog (you know if I'm gonna make it or not kinda stuff).

I have always said of myself that I could live in a refrigerator box on the creek…that was until I met my first and only wife five years ago. Then I had to make some attitude changes. Since this illness has struck me, I've lost not only my way of making a living, but she has hers too. Not to mention my band who has also lost from all this.

From the first moment when the doctor made my diagnosis, my wife has not left my side. She takes me to every appointment, sits through every procedure from daylight to dark, bathes me at night, feeds me through my feeding tube along with so many other unselfish acts I could never imagine doing for someone. She never once complains and always does what she does with a smile. By sitting here writing this I have just realized I am writing more out of concern for her than myself. I'm sure things are going to work out just fine, but who really knows.

If any of you would like to stop by for a visit, you are always welcome. But we just
ask that you call in advance first. Some days are good for me and some are bad.
We thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and support.

I feel sure some of you reading this more than likely have passed around the bucket at more than one of our festivals to help out folks less fortunate than us. We've always made sure 100% of all proceeds went to those folks.
In past years we have donated to victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina and to other folks who have fallen down on their luck with illnesses, etc. We've supported the Shriners, the veterans, policemen and more. And we thank you all for every time you've helped us help others.

If you would like the chance to help us out financially during this difficult time,
please send your donation to my home or either to my stepdaughter's home. She is
helping us out with my care as well.

Mr. Barney Barnwell
C/o Barnwell Medical Bills
5015 Rainbow Lake Road
Campobello, SC 29322

Mrs. Christy Hunter-Miller
125 Riverdale Drive
Inman, SC 29349

along with a self addressed, stamped envelope (for your tax deduction).

Please keep checking back on our website – www.moonshiners.com and our myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theplumhollowband for updates.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Sincerely,

Barney
Barney Barnwell & the Plum Hollow Band