The Gulf Coast Musicians Medical Fund is available for local musicians in need of aid in the cost of medical assistance on the Gulf Coast.

Started in 2018, the Gulf Coast Musicians Medical Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to providing medical cost assistance for musicians and songwriters located on the Gulf Coast area, covering states such as Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. Their coverage of medical care includes initial office visit costs, initial prescription costs and education on treatment and diagnosis through counseling from pastors, counselors or licensed professionals. The organization is run by a board of five members, which includes musician Webb Dalton.

Dalton is based in Montgomery but has spent time living in Orange Beach and worked for the Orange Beach Police Department, having played music on the Gulf Coast for over 10 years. He has opened for notable artists including George Strait, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis and Keith Whitley.

Dalton had lost three close friends who were musicians from minor health issues that later developed into major concerns. When he asked their friends and family why they didn't go to the doctor earlier, he learned that they simply couldn't afford it. After talking to his wife about what they could do to help, he eventually came to the idea of a fund that would help cover select medical expenses to help musicians and songwriters get the medical aid they need.

"I didn't want the musicians to have a hard enough time," Dalton said. "My fellow musicians and songwriters don't have insurance, and so that's what I was trying to do. To put something together that would help them out."

To help kickstart the charity, Dalton recorded and released a gospel album, "Things Left Undone," with all proceeds being donated directly to the fund. In addition, the group fundraiser event in Pensacola, Florida, where attendees can enjoy live music from various musicians throughout the day across two stages, all for the price of a $10 ticket.

With the availability and cost of medical care in the United States being a topical issue, Dalton said he thinks health care should be available for everyone and urged others to check in with their doctors before it's too late.

"If they put off something that they should take care of today, then you may not be around to be able to take care of it tomorrow," Dalton said. "Take care something when it comes up if you're not feeling good. … You don't need to put it off and that's one of the things we started the charity for."