Some musicians don’t just play—they shape a city’s sound, quietly stitching themselves into the cultural fabric with every note. Justin Golden has been doing that in Richmond for years, sliding his bluesy riffs into our collective consciousness. You might’ve caught him live, lost in a groove, or maybe you’ve just soaked in the atmosphere he helped build.
Now, the guy who’s given everything to the music community finds himself on the other side of the stage, needing the support he’s always offered. Justin has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
A few weeks ago, Justin started experiencing shortness of breath and visited urgent care on January 23rd. What seemed like a routine check-up turned into something far more serious. “I went to the urgent care two weeks ago after having some shortness of breath,” Justin shared. “The doctor took an X-ray that showed fluid in my chest. He sent me home with antibiotics for pneumonia but ordered a CT scan as well. It took a week for me to get in for the CT scan, and by this point, I was very short of breath.”
The results were devastating. “The CT scan showed my chest cavity was nearly completely full of fluid on the left side, and my left lung was collapsed. It also showed some masses in my abdomen incidentally.” Within hours, doctors suspected cancer and rushed him to the emergency room for further scans. “They drained some of the fluid and ordered an additional CT scan of my abdomen. This scan showed numerous tumors in my abdomen.” Fast forward to today: “They have run pathology and given a diagnosis. I begin chemotherapy today for an undetermined amount of time.”
But if you think this is going to be a sad story, you don’t know Richmond’s music community. They’re not just passing the hat; they’re throwing a series of shows to remind everyone why we fight for our own.
The Shows
Golden Fest isn’t just a benefit; it’s a full-throttle celebration. It kicks off Saturday, February 22nd at Gallery5. The lineup? Mackenzie Roark & The Hot Pants, Tyler Meacham, Sun V Set, Moosetrap, and Jonathan Paige Brown Jr. Tickets are $20, doors at 6 PM, music at 7. And there’s a raffle.
But this isn’t a one-and-done deal. The city’s throwing down across the map, in every dive bar, house show, and corner stage that’s ever meant something to the people who live here:
- 2/20 & 2/22 – Northside house shows (because nothing says community like cramming into someone’s living room with a six-pack and a makeshift PA system)
- 3/2 – Final Gravity
- 3/14 – The Camel, with The Trillions, Andrew Alli & Josh Small, Jake The Dog, Mead The Dear, and Charm Offensive
- 3/16 – Gallery5, featuring Céilí Galante
- 4/10 – Earth Folk, hosting an Old Time Jam with Trey Burnart Hall from Vocal Rest Records
And that’s just the start. More shows are in the works because this town doesn’t quit when it comes to its own.
The Man Behind the Music
If you’ve been paying attention, you already know Justin Golden isn’t just some guy with a guitar. Since his 2016 debut at Spacebomb Records, he’s been weaving himself into the fabric of Richmond’s music scene. His 2022 album, Hard Times And A Woman, wasn’t just another release—it was a statement. And if you’ve heard Golden Country: Volume 1 & 2, his collaboration with Devil’s Coattails, you know the man’s got a way of digging into the roots of American music and pulling out something fresh, something real.
But Justin’s more than his music. He’s the founder of the Richmond chapter of The Rhapsody Project, a nonprofit that’s all about keeping musical heritage alive and kicking. He’s the guy who’s been lifting up other artists, building the scene from the ground up. Now it’s our turn to lift him.
How to Help
Can’t make it to a show? That’s cool. There’s a GoFundMe set up by his family, and every dollar goes straight to Justin’s care and recovery. Stream his music on Spotify, buy his merch on Bandcamp, hell, just tell someone about him. This isn’t just charity—it’s paying back a guy who’s given everything to the music that keeps this city alive.
Follow Justin Golden, Freight Train Management, and Vocal Rest Records on social media for updates. Because this story isn’t over.
Main photo by @true.visionphotography at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival 2024
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