Balsam Range mandolinist Darren Nichols posted on Facebook last night about their fiddler and dear friend Buddy Melton, who was seriously injured on Monday while loading cattle.
“Here’s a little update I can share about Buddy Melton. We just left his home where he is now resting and recouping. He looks exponentially better each day. Even hours make a difference in his physical appearance which initially was much better than we were expecting when we got the news anyway. He’s in good health, youthful, and strong…so this will make a huge difference in his healing process. My lovely wife, Jennifer, made some dinner and brownies for Buddy’s birthday and we had a fun visit with him and his family. His sense of humor is not broken, which is why he asked me to post this picture. For the record …a cow did NOT kick him in the face…but did kick the door to the trailer in which he was loading them. He was hit head on by the door.
He’s in good spirits thanks to your love and support. And his surgeries are scheduled for next Tuesday. Please keep Buddy and his Family in your thoughts and prayers…it’s working.
Again, please accept our apologies if we haven’t responded to e-mails, calls, texts, posts, etc. It’s been a very hectic time, where our main concern has been Buddy’s welfare and privacy. Thank you for understanding.
At Buddy’s request we will be touring as listed on the official website until he fully recovers. We will perform with a temporary replacement until he is well. We will look forward to friendly handshakes, hugs, fellowship …as well as laughter as we return to Dillard GA this weekend. You will be missed Buddy. We love you so much pal!! THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SUPPORT. We all appreciate it.”
Buddy also posted a word of thanks for the outpouring of support he has received.
“It’s been said that if you want to know who your true friends are wait until something bad happens in your life and see who shows up to help. I would have never dreamed I had as many friends as I do. I am truly blessed and have been amazed at the amount of kindness you all have shown for my family and me.
I am reminded of the verse in Corinthians which says, ‘faith, hope and love and greatest of these is love.’ Faith and hope pertain to individuals, Love pertains to society. It binds societies together and unites all things. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends. I have never felt so loved as I do now.
I want thank each and every one of you for your constant support, prayers and friendship.
Your thoughtfulness and kindness makes me want to be a better person.
Buddy
