Banjo Player Joe Newberry Recovering After Heart Attack on Tour

Newberry suffered a heart attack while performing in New York, but is now back home in North Carolina.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Banjo player Joe Newberry suffered a heart attack while on tour with fiddler April Verch in Glens Falls, New York earlier this month. Newberry wisely went to the emergency room, where doctors were able to quickly treat him and insert a stent. After being discharged, Newberry had to make a long drive back home to North Carolina, during which he experienced further medical complications from his medications. Newberry is now back home and recovering, grateful to his tour partner Verch and friend Scott Hopkins for their support during the ordeal.

Why it matters

Touring musicians face unique health challenges, as they are often far from home and their regular medical providers when medical emergencies arise. Newberry's story highlights the importance of being proactive about one's health on the road and having a strong support system of fellow musicians and friends.

The details

On February 6, while performing in Glens Falls, New York, Newberry began experiencing concerning symptoms like coughing and profuse sweating. His tour partner April Verch urged him to go to the nearby emergency room, where doctors determined he was having a heart attack and were able to insert a stent to treat the blockage. After being discharged, Newberry had to make the long drive back home to North Carolina, during which his blood pressure dropped dangerously low due to the medications he was taking. He was briefly hospitalized again in Albany before finally making it home to North Carolina.

  • On February 6, Newberry began experiencing symptoms while performing in Glens Falls, New York.
  • On February 9, Newberry was discharged from the hospital and began the drive back home to North Carolina.
  • On the drive back, Newberry had to be briefly hospitalized again in Albany due to low blood pressure from his medications.

The players

Joe Newberry

A banjo player, singer, and songwriter who suffered a heart attack while on tour.

April Verch

A fiddler who was touring with Newberry and urged him to seek medical attention when he became ill.

Scott Hopkins

A banjo player and friend of Newberry's who drove Newberry and his rental car back to North Carolina from Albany.

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What they’re saying

“I knew something was wrong (coughing and profuse sweating), and April Verch said let's go to the emergency room, which was just a couple of minutes away. They had a state-of-the-art cath lab, and they put in a stent right away. Saved my life, because the main artery was completely blocked.”

— Joe Newberry (bluegrasstoday.com)

“I can't say enough about April Verch. She was steady as a rock all throughout the ordeal.”

— Joe Newberry (bluegrasstoday.com)

What’s next

Newberry will see his cardiologist on Thursday to discuss any potential lifestyle changes to prevent future heart problems.

The takeaway

Newberry's experience highlights the unique health challenges faced by touring musicians, and the importance of being proactive about one's health and having a strong support system while on the road.