“Eddie Adcock has plucked his banjo on many stages — but nothing probably came close to playing the instrument on an operating table during brain surgery. The bluegrass legend, 70, underwent a three-part surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Louisville, Ky. between Aug. 15 and 25 to correct a condition called ‘essential tremor’ that has hampered his ability to perform everyday tasks as well as play his beloved banjo. During stage two of the operation, Adcock was kept awake to perform while surgeons poked and prodded different areas of his brain. … During the deep-brain stimulation surgery, neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Neimet, and Hedera were able to place the electrodes in precisely the right place under the guidance of Adcock. ‘He played the banjo delivering different currents to the thalamus,’ Hedera said. ‘The whole time he was telling us whether he was playing better or worse.’ At one point, Adcock told surgeons he was plucking away like it was 10 to 15 years ago.” (10/16/08)