Brad Arnold, the singer and drummer of the renowned Mississippi-based rock band 3 Doors Down, shared some deeply concerning news on Wednesday, May 7. He revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer, a significant health challenge that has inevitably impacted both his personal and professional life.
In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Arnold expressed, “Got some not-so-good news for you today.” He disclosed that he is battling clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer, and that the disease has unfortunately metastasized into his lungs. This announcement has come as a shock to fans and the music community alike, eliciting an outpouring of support and concern.
As a direct consequence of Arnold’s serious diagnosis, 3 Doors Down has made the difficult decision to cancel their upcoming summer tour, which was originally scheduled to kick off next week in Florida and continue through the month of August. This cancellation not only affects the band but also disappoints many dedicated fans who were eager to attend the performances.
Throughout this challenging medical journey, Arnold has been leaning heavily on his faith to provide him strength and courage. He stated, “I have no fear. I really, sincerely am not scared of it at all.” In his plea for support, he asked fans to keep him in their prayers, saying, “I’d love for you to lift me up in prayer any chance you get.” He also mentioned the importance of listening to their song “It’s Not My Time” during this period of struggle.
Arnold referenced the iconic 2008 song “It’s Not My Time” in an Instagram caption, expressing his gratitude for the memories created with fans. He wrote, “Thank you for all the memories so far. Now, I believe ‘ITS NOT MY TIME’ is really my song. This’ll be a battle so we need our prayer warriors! Thank y’all for being the best fans in the world. We love y’all!” His message underscores the deep connection he shares with his audience during this difficult time.
The comments section of Arnold’s post quickly filled with supportive messages from fellow musicians. Scott Stapp of Creed wrote, “If anyone has the FAITH and STRENGTH to face this fight, it’s YOU brother. … I think I can speak for all of us, we are lifting you up in prayer right now believing without doubt for your total healing! I love you bro.” Such heartfelt messages reflect the solidarity within the music community during tough times.
Stapp and his band Creed were scheduled to join 3 Doors Down on the road for the highly anticipated “Summer of ’99” North American tour, which also included artists like Daughtry, Big Wreck, and Mammoth. This tour was meant to celebrate the nostalgic music of the late 90s and early 2000s, making the cancellation even more poignant for fans.
Other musicians have also shown their support in the comments section. Chris Daughtry sent his love, writing, “Sending you love my brother,” while Gavin McGraw added, “May God bless you brother. Showing us how to conquer the darkness with light.” These messages highlight the compassion and unity that exist within the music industry, especially during challenging health issues.
Jason Aldean expressed his concern, saying, “Man I hate to hear that Brad. Praying for ya brother,” while Sara Evans promised, “Will be praying for you every day!” Such expressions of support from fellow artists serve to uplift Arnold and remind him that he is not alone in this fight.
During their peak years in the early 2000s, 3 Doors Down achieved remarkable success, scoring 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with three of those reaching the top 10: 2000’s “Kryptonite” (which peaked at No. 3), 2003’s “When I’m Gone” (No. 4), and 2003’s “Here Without You” (No. 5). Additionally, they celebrated two No. 1 albums on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart: 2005’s Seventeen Days and a self-titled project released in 2008, marking significant milestones in their career.
