Thomas is hopeful for a full recovery

GRAMMY, CMA, and Dove award-winning pop, country, and gospel singer B.J. Thomas has revealed that his doctors have diagnosed him as having Stage 4 lung cancer. Thomas is receiving treatment in a local health care facility in Texas, and is hopeful for a complete recovery.

“I just wanted to take this unique opportunity to share my gratitude to Gloria, my wonderful wife and my rock for over 53 years, my family, friends, and fans,” Thomas says in a statement. “I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you. I ask all of you for your prayers during this time and that my music can live on with you.”

Thomas plans to continue to interact with industry colleagues and fans and remains optimistic about his availability to make public appearances.

Thomas was our first-ever video guest on The Music Universe Podcast in January. We discussed the 50th anniversary of “Teardrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” which landed at No. 1 on January 3, 1970, after being featured in Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman, the previous month. The song was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame in 2014.

Five-time GRAMMY award winner and GRAMMY Hall of Fame inductee, B.J. Thomas has sold over 70 million albums worldwide with a total of eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles throughout his 50 years in the music industry. As one of Billboard’s Top 50 Most Played Artists Over The Past 50 Years, Thomas’ hits also include “Hooked On A Feeling,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love” and “New Looks From An Old Lover.”