Eddie Adcock - Bionic Banjo-Player

Preparing for surgery

Eddie Adcock - 'Father of Newgrass', one of the most influential banjo-players in bluegrass history, and member of the 'classic' Country Gentlemen and of many Halls of Fame - has embarked on a course of Deep Brain Stimulation surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, TN. The aim is to eliminate hand tremor, which has affected his playing and writing in the last few years. The method involves implanting electrodes in the brain while the patient is conscious and playing.

The process is painful, but Eddie is in good spirits and will get a post-op check-up before fine tuning of the system in early October. He is the first person to receive this treatment at Vanderbilt, other than sufferers from Parkinson's disease.