After 10 Weeks in the Hospital, Kevin Sharp Dies at Home

In the 1990s, country recording artist Kevin Sharp fought a very public battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of blood cancer. Despite very slim odds of recovery and two years of chemotherapy and radiation treatments that permanently cost him his hair, the singer won the battle. This time, however, his medical issues were too much to overcome and he died at his mother's Fair Oaks, California home, Saturday night after suffering complications from past stomach surgeries and digestive issues. He had been hospitalized for 10 weeks and had only been home for a short time.

In tears, his sister Mary Huston told the AP, "He had a strong heart, that's what kept him alive, (but) I'm so happy for him, that there's no more suffering."

Born in Redding, California in 1970, Sharp was diagnosed with cancer when he a high school senior. It was during his recovery that the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted his wish to meet Grammy Award-winning music producer David Foster. The two became friends and when a cancer-free Kevin cut his first demo tape, Foster helped him use it to get a deal with Asylum Records in Nashville.

In November 1996, Sharp's debut album, Measure Of A Man was released. The first single, "Nobody Knows," (watch the video) a country version of the song made famous by the Tony Rich Project, spent four weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart and helped the project go Gold. His sophomore album, Love Is, hit stores in 1998, and it was his last with Asylum. The singer signed with Nashville independent label Cupit in 2005 and released Make A Wish.

His last project was a 2011 single titled, "Let Me Rock You To Sleep."

Wanting to give back to the foundation that helped him realize his dream, Kevin became became a spokesman for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He wrote "Tragedy's Gift," a 2004 book about fighting cancer. As a motivational speaker, he traveled the country, sharing the obstacles he overcame to succeed in the music business.

Kevin Sharp is survived by his mother, five brothers and two sisters. The family requests that anyone who would like to make a donation in Kevin's memory, make it to the closest Make A Wish Chapter in the donor's area so that wishes can continue to be granted for other children. If you would like to share your memories of Kevin, you can email sharp@kevinsharp.com. Cards may be sent to:
Remembering Kevin Sharp
c/o Elaine Sharp
2795 E. Bidwell St
#100-515
Folsom, CA 95630
They will be forwarded to the family.

A Memorial Service celebrating Kevin’s life is being planned in Nashville, Tennessee. More information will be posted on Kevin’s website in the near future.