A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Todd Phillips, a foundational figure in the bluegrass community. Known for his legendary tenures in groups such as the Bluegrass Album Band, the David Grisman Quintet, The Tony Rice Unit, and Psychograss, Phillips is currently seeking support following a diagnosis of Parsonage-Turner syndrome. This rare condition has significantly impacted his ability to perform, effectively halting his primary source of income.
Photo via Sam Grisman
In a heartfelt statement, the two-time Grammy Award winner and esteemed double bass player shared the circumstances surrounding his current situation. “I want to thank my friend Gary Upton for suggesting and initiating this page for me,” Phillips wrote. “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… he immediately suggested that he start this GoFundMe page.”
Phillips detailed the arduous journey of the past year, which began shortly after his performance at David Grisman’s 80th birthday concert in March 2025. Following a period of intense shoulder pain and a series of misdiagnoses, he was eventually identified as having Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, a rare condition affecting approximately two in 100,000 people. The recovery process is often slow, with specialists suggesting it can take between one to three years to heal.
“For the last 12 months, I’ve relied on family, friends, and gracious help from the IBMA, Grand Ole Opry, and Nashville Musician’s Union,” Phillips noted. “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.”
Phillips’ storied career is a testament to his influence on acoustic music. His work with the original David Grisman Quintet—alongside Tony Rice, Darol Anger, and Grisman—helped define a generation of bluegrass. His collaborative spirit later extended to icons such as Ricky Skaggs, John Hartford, Sam Bush, and Chris Thile, among many others.
Supporters are encouraged to visit the GoFundMe campaign to assist Phillips during his recovery.