GULF SHORES, Ala — April 27 started out just like any other day for Mark Halco. However, by the time it was over, he and his family didn’t know if he would survive to see another one.

As he was getting ready to go to work as a remodeling contractor, a nagging pain in his back prompted his wife, Tammy, to demand he go to the emergency room at South Baldwin Regional Medical Center to have it checked out. That visit to the emergency room saved his life.

The nagging back pain was caused by a staph infection that had spread throughout his body.

“It turns out he was septic,” Tammy said. “Doctors began treatment for him immediately, but the infection was so advanced, his organs began to shut down one by one.”

Mark was placed on life-support and doctors put him in a medically-induced coma because of the severe pain, where he remained for several weeks. Eventually, the treatments were successful, but not before he had spent more than two months in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Mark was subsequently transferred to a rehabilitation center in July, where he is recovering, but the family has been left with a staggering pile of medical bills.

“I’ve known Mark and Tammy for years and have worked with them extensively as they’ve volunteered countless hours as National Shrimp Festival staff members” Don McPherson said. “Those of us that work on the Shrimp Festival committees call each other family members. We’re all part of the Shrimp Festival family. A group of us family members got together and decided to do something to help Mark and Tammy pay down some of their medical bills because they’re family and that’s what families do.”

Eventually, organizers said they came up with the idea of holding an all-day music marathon and barbecue fundraiser.

“Charley Ogletree was kind enough to allow us to use his new establishment, Good Time Charley’s Blues Café, as the site for the fundraiser,” McPherson said. “And we’ll have some of the best amateur smokers around cooking Boston butts all day long.”

According to event organizers, Tammy has volunteered for more than a decade as the Entertainment Chairman of the Annual National Shrimp Festival.

“Several of the bands that she has brought to the Festival have volunteered their time to play during the Music-thon,” McPherson said. “We have a great mix of music for an all-day event.”

Some of the bands include Long Lost Friend, Cool Change, Jim St. James, Top Hat & Jackie, Jason Justice & Hung Jury, the Sand Band, Lisa & Vic, Kim & Lance, the Justin Abel Project and the BBQ & Blues Band.

The fundraiser will be held Aug. 18 from noon until midnight.

“Along with the bands, we’ll have some of the best barbecue you’ll ever eat. Plates will be available for $8, and include barbecue and all the fixings,” McPherson said. “And to top it off it all goes to a great cause to help a great family.”

According to organizing committee member Steve Jones, along with the food and music, the event will have a silent auction and hourly raffles as well.

“Some of the items in the auction and raffle will include a beach getaway, a charter fishing trip and many other great items,” he said. “If you can’t make it to Good Time Charley’s on Saturday, you can pre-order smoked Boston butts for $25 that can be picked up at the Bridges Law Firm on Friday.”

Raffle tickets are $2 each and can be pre-ordered by calling Bonita York at 251-747-4600. To pre-order Boston butts, call Renée Jones at 251-968-3025 or e-mail renee@bridgeslaw.org by Monday. Bridges Law Firm is located at 132 Cove Ave. in Gulf Shores. Pre-orders can be picked up at the music-thon as well.

For more information contact Good Time Charley’s Blues Café at 251-971-3657. Good Time Charley’s is located at 17714 U.S Hwy 98 in Foley, just west of County Rd. 65.

“Come out and join us,” McPherson said. “You can’t beat a day of great friends, great