I am terribly sad to report that it has been confirmed that Vic Chesnutt has died. I have no words beyond that.
To help his family, please go to this tribute page and donate:
http://kristinhersh.cashmusic.org/...
Update:
This article covers it best, I believe:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/...
The Wall Street Journal says that he is still alive, though in a coma. According to them, "Chesnutt’s publicist, Joe Cohen, said via email today that 'Vic is in the middle of a medical situation and his family and friends are with him. We have no comment on the specifics right now but we will issue a full statement at an appropriate time.'"
According to a Spinner article, one thing that was weighing heavily on his mind was a $35,000 medical bill he could not afford. Earlier this year he told Spinner.com, "Right now, I'm in huge trouble in that the hospital is suing me for $35,000, which is terrifying, and the rub is that I have health insurance. I have hospitalization insurance, for which I pay almost $500 a month, and then on top of that I still owe the hospital $35,000. That is truly an insane system. I did everything right and I'm still under the gun."
Ironically, in 1996, Chesnutt's songs were covered by many big-named musicians on a compilation called "'Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation," a charity album to help uninsured musicians.
Vic Chesnutt has long been an inspiration of mine. When he was 18, he was in a huge car wreck and was paralyzed from the waist down. Luckily for music lovers, he picked up a guitar with his extra time and began to play southern-gothic folk. Depression gave him a thirst for alcohol, and Michael Stipe heard him play one night in Athens and was later quoted as saying, "We have to get this guy on tape before he drinks himself to death." Legend has it that Stipe introduced himself and Chesnutt cussed him out. Nevertheless, Stipe produced his first two albums. Since then he has gone on to record 16 more poignant albums.
I saw Chesnutt play in Chicago one year and talked to him before the show. We have quite a bit in common. I was also in a traumatic car wreck and spent a good chunk of my 18th year in the hospital. I am also prone to depression, and I also had quite a taste for Irish whiskey back in the day. And of course, both of us are from the south and understand what it means to simultaneously love and hate the place you are from. I told him how much the album "About to Choke" had meant to me because it covered such familiar ground, and how he had found language for a time in my life that was hard for me to understand and live with. He seemed pleased and when I asked him if he could play "Degenerate" he smiled and said he would see what he could do. The show started late that night, I think, because he was teaching his backup band the song. It was the song he closed on, and though the band behind him was obviously hesitant, it was wonderful to hear. Thank you, Vic.