Opry member Mel McDaniel rushed to hospital days after benefit concert in his honor

Grand Ole Opry member Mel McDaniel. (Photo: Opry)

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Barely three days after a star-studded benefit concert and silent auction was conducted in his honor, Grand Ole Opry member Mel McDaniel was rushed to a Nashville-area hospital by ambulance in the morning hours of Monday, Aug. 17.

McDaniel, 66, had been released to  rehabilitative care following an extended hospital stay, where he was placed in a coma by medical doctors after suffering a heart attack in mid-June.

In an effort to aid the beloved entertainer and his wife, Peggy, with mounting medical bills, friends and fellow country artists and Opry members united to sponsor an Aug. 13, 2009, fundraiser at the Nashville Palace venue.

Some $23,000 was raised as a result of the event which was attended by an estimated 650 country fans, reported event co-planner Kathy Rust.

Unfortunately, singer-songwriter McDaniel's health gave family and friends of the artist a scare once more on Aug. 13 when he was transported to Skyline Medical Center in Nashville.

Regarding McDaniel's latest health crisis, family friend Rust, in a late-afternoon e-mail on Aug. 17, wrote, "(H)is blood pressure had bottomed out and he was having what I guess was panic attacks. They stabilized him and after several hours (so what's new - right?) they sent him home."

Per Rust, hospital personnel "are going to set (McDaniel) up with a primary care doctor, which (he) has not had, (and) are going to do home-based rehab. ..."

At this writing, McDaniel is resting at home and his family continues to request prayers on his behalf and express thanks "for all your love and concern."