Photo via Sam Grisman

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Todd Phillips. The bedrock bluegrass picker, known for his tenures in grade A groups like the Bluegrass Album Band, David Grisman Quintet, The Tony Rice Unit, and Psychograss, is seeking donations following a Parsonage-Turner syndrome diagnosis, which has taken away his ability to perform and therefore gain income via his preferred craft. 

In Phillip’s own words, the two-time Grammy Award winner and reputable double bass player offers: 

I want to thank my friend Gary Upton for suggesting and initiating this page for me. We haven’t known each other long but when I told him about my health issues preventing me from playing upright bass as I have for 55 years, and also that I have a young family, 6 year old and 8 year old, he immediately suggested that he start this GoFundMe page. As much as I resisted and waited, I am finally in a position of no choice having lost most of my income for a full year now. I truly appreciate Gary’s effort and that you are here looking at it.

As briefly as possible, here is what has happened over the last year. I’m happy to say, the last show I got to play was David Grisman’s 80th birthday concert (capping the 50 year anniversary of the original DGQ). That was in Seattle on March 25, 2025, but about a week after that in the first week of April last year I had extreme unbearable pain in my left shoulder. I was prescribed oral painkillers and steroids. A few days later the pain got somewhat better but my arm dropped to my side nearly paralyzed. I was initially/incorrectly diagnosed with and underwent treatment for “frozen-shoulder”. I was administered a massive shot of painkillers and steroids through the cartilage straight into the shoulder joint. It didn’t help. No relief.

That began a series of 20 more doctors and physical therapy appointments over the next six months, including X-ray, three MRIs (shoulder, spine, and brachial plexus) and an EMG. Finally, the brachial plexus MRI revealed nerve damage and a condition called Parsonage-Turner Syndrome. The specialist I now see says it’s typical to wait about 18 months before significant improvement, though it can be between 1 to 3 years to heal. It’s a rare disease affecting only about 2 people in 100,000. I’ve met one guy that had it and he said his lasted 2 years, so we’ll see.

For the last 12 months I’ve relied on family, friends, and gracious help from the IBMA (thank you), Grand Ole Opry (thank you), and Nashville Musician’s Union (thank you). Even with that, my family and I are in a very deep financial hole due to this condition and having suffered the loss of almost all of my income over the last year. The wellbeing of my kids is in play now so I feel it’s time to reach out. Hopefully my abilities will return by year’s end and I can play some more big-low-musical-notes for all of you.

Thank you. 

… 

Phillips’ career unleashes a Rolodex of bluegrass brilliance that began through the formation of the original David Grisman Quintet, featuring the namesake, Tony Rice, Darol Anger, and the subject. During his initial five-year tenure with the group, Phillips contributed rhythm mandolin and bass before performing under The Tony Rice Unit, where he collaborated with the likes of Jerry Douglas, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, and Doyal Lawson, in what became known as the Bluegrass Album Band. 

The aforementioned opportunities afforded Phillips windows to perform with the upper crust of acoustic music: Ricky Skaggs, Vassar Clement, John Hartford, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Taj Mahal, Alison Brown, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton, and more. Phillips’ decades-long career has brought joy and jolts of feeling in his ability to perform with meaning backed by extensive experience. 

Please consider donating to Todd Phillips’ GoFundMe campaign. 

Listen to the David Grisman Quintet below.