Country singer Kevin Sharp has died at the age of 43, CNN reports. His mother, Elaine Sharp, confirmed to reporters that her son passed away on Saturday, Apr. 19 at her Fair Oaks, Calif. home.
According to CNN, Sharp was diagnosed with an aggressive, rare form of cancer as a teenager. The singer was treated, and has been in remission ever since, but suffered problems throughout his life from the radiation and chemotherapy.
"He had a good, strong heart," she said. "He's not hurting anymore."
Sharp's website said that the singer died "due to ongoing complications from past stomach surgeries and digestive issues." His mother said that Sharp always wanted to become a singer.
During his senior year of high school, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that had spread to his lungs. Through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Sharp was able to meet producer David Foster. Foster, who worked with singers like Celine Dion and Michel Buble, gave the young aspiring country singer tips on how to jump-start his music career.
Sharp landed a record deal in the mid-90s and soon after landed No. 1 on the country charts with his single "Nobody Knows." He followed that with several other chart toppers and two albums. Foster and Sharp remained close throughout his musical career.
In recent years, sharp became a motivational speaker travelling across the world to talk about his battle with cancer. He also wrote a book in 2004, called "Tragedy's Gift" and became a spokesperson for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
According to CNN, the country star got the foundation's logo tattooed on his chest as a way to remember how they helped him and his career.
A memorial service for Sharp will be held in Nashville. According to his website, as more information on the service becomes available it will be posted on the site.
