The story was written by Larche Hardy, freelance bluegrass writer and News Director WMBB-TV, Panama City, Florida. Many thanks to Larche for allowing us to publish this story and thanks to Veniece Kennedy and George Hester for the photos.

Ernie Thacker returned to the stage at Riverbend Bluegrass Festival in Ocilla, GA, for his first show since April 18, 2006, after a devastating accident nearly claimed his life. Photo by George Hester.

Ernie Thacker has been making bluegrass music for more than 30 years and has appeared on hundreds of stages across America. But, he has never been more nervous than he was on stage this past weekend at the Riverbend Bluegrass Festival in Ocilla, Ga. His life changed drastically since he last played bluegrass professionally and now, confined to a wheelchair, he needed to know if he could still do what he loves to do most.

Exactly two years earlier, Thacker was on a winding road near his home in Clinchco, Va. He was heading to his brothers house for a jam session about 8 miles away. As he rounded a curve, CDs on his dash fell in the floor. He reached down to pick them up and that was the last thing he remembered until days later when he awoke in a hospital with his life hanging by a thread.

He had no recollection of the single car crash. He did not remember the good Samaritans that came to his aid and he did not remember the life flight to a hospital several miles away. He did not remember losing more than 50 pints of blood in 13 hours. He would learn in time.

The accident left him with 12 broken ribs, broken collar bones, a ruptured spleen, and a crushed aorta. Doctors cut the nerves to his legs while trying to control blood flow to the upper portion of his body. It rendered him paralyzed from the waist down. He spent more than 100 days in intensive care. His survival was called a medical miracle. Thacker calls it a Gift from God.

Now, with hundreds of hours of hospitalization and rehabilitation behind him, 37 year old Thacker is back on the road. He knows his musical life will be different. One of his lungs was severely damaged and he is learning to adapt to his new disabilities, including confinement to a wheel chair.

Before the accident, Thacker was a rising star in the bluegrass business. As a teenager, he landed the role of lead singer for Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys and traveled with the band for six years.

He later formed his own group, Route 23, and received critical acclaim for his soulful voice and superb musicianship. He has been recognized in the Top 20 Emerging Artists twice by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 1999 and 2000. Some have described him as the George Jones of bluegrass music.

He chose the Riverbend Bluegrass Festival on the two year anniversary of his accident to stage his comeback. It was also a way to show his appreciation to Veniece and Dale Kennedy, with the Riverbend Bluegrass Band, for helping his family after the accident.

Our little business of bluegrass isn’t that big but when somebody is in need it seems like everybody pulls together. If it hadn’t been for people like Veneice and Dale, my wife and I would have probably lost everything we had.

Hundreds of musicians and Thacker Backers participated in fund raising events all over the country to help the Thacker family with expenses over the past two years.

Ernie Thacker and Route 23 perform at the Riverbend Bluegrass Festical in Ocilla, GA. Photo by Veniece Kennedy.

Flanked by his band, Route 23, he made his way to the stage for his first show since April 18, 2006. About three hundred friends and fans gathered at the Riverbend festival site to hear him perform. He followed groups like Grasstowne, The Sullivans, and The Chapmans who were also on the weekend line-up.

Thacker dedicated his show to his wife who he says stayed by his side while he was in a Bristol, Tenn. intensive care unit.

I love her to death and I am glad she is here with me, he said.

He performed a couple of songs from his Chill of Lonesome CD then spoke directly to the crowd.

I lost half a lung during the accident and I just don’t have the breath to push it like I used to but I’m going to work and work to get it back down to what it used to be. I have to learn to sing all over again.

Even though his voice was weaker, it did little to curb the enthusiasm of the audience. At one point during the performance he received a standing ovation.

Folks you don’t know. Ive been playing music for twenty years and I guess this is the most nervous I have ever been on stage. I appreciate you so much. I love all of you.

As a testament to his popularity, Pinecastle Records contracted in February to release a new album entitled The Hangman. No date has been set but the label expects to release it by the fall. The project was nearly complete before the accident but some work has taken place since.

Though Thacker has come a long way with his recovery, he admits there is still much work to do. Building his strength is one of his priorities. He knows,however, it will be a long process. Support from fans will be a big part of the recovery. The enthusiasm and reception from the crowd at Riverbend moved him to tears.

This music gets in your blood. When you cant do it, that’s all you think about. My goal was to just get back out and see everybody and play again. Words cant describe how you just made me feel.

It may not have been the performance he wanted but he accomplished what he set out to do. He was back on stage doing the thing he loved most. For his many fans, it was more than expected. Ernie Thacker is a miracle minstrel destined to share his gift with those who love the music.

He performed two sets during the festival. According to his website, www.erniethackerroute23.com, he will appear at more venues this summer and fall.