Grand Ole Opry member Mel McDaniel in coma, wife asks fans to pray for husband

July 9, 1:38 AMCountry Music ExaminerLisa L. Rollins

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Country's Mel McDaniel is in need of prayers, the Opry
member's family says. (Photo courtesy of Mel McDaniel
Web site.)

Author's Note: Since this story was written, a benefit concert and silent auction for Mel McDaniel has been set for Aug. 13, 2009, in Nashville. To learn more, please click here.

Country music's Mel McDaniel, 66, was in a Nashville-area hospital in a medically induced coma on Wednesday, July 8, according to news wire reports.

The Grand Ole Opry performer has a history of health woes--many of which originate with the singer's 1996 near-fatal fall into an orchestra pit during a concert in Louisiana--and just last month, on June 16, he suffered a heart attack.

Per one online alert from Country Weekly, McDaniel's wife, Peggy, contacted the magazine's Nashville office on July 6 to request for Mel from his fans "as  he battles for his life." The music pub further reported that Peggy described her husband's medical condition as "not good" at that time.

A native of Checotah, Okla., the same hometown as country-starlet Carrie Underwood, McDaniel's voice is best known by country fans on classics such as "Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” “Stand Up!” and “Louisiana Saturday Night.”

Before making a name for himself in country music, McDaniel sang for oil-field workers in Alaska in the '70s. Since then, he has been a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry since 1986 and, aside from his solo hits, he's penned songs with the likes of Earl Scruggs, Conway Twitty and Kenny Rogers.

Where to send cards and letters: According to information posted on the musician's Web site, cards of support are requested and may be mailed to McDaniels' attention at Two Rivers Campground, 2616 Music Valley Drive, Nashville, Tenn., 37214.

Video viewing: To view a vintage music video of one of the artist's hits, simply scroll below.

Music video for "Stand Up!" hit single by Mel McDaniel, complete with its story introduction and crew.