Perdido Key, Fla. — (OBA) —  A regional nonprofit that helps working musicians cover medical costs will stage its biggest fundraiser of the year. The Gulf Coast Musicians Medical Fund plans a full day of live music, food, and community support. The event features two stages at The Point Restaurant on Innerarity Point Road. Proceeds from the event help pay for urgent care visits and prescriptions for artists in four Gulf Coast states. The benefit is designed to make sure performers can address health needs without delay.

The eighth annual Gulf Coast Musicians Medical Fund fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025. The show runs from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Point Restaurant, 14340 Innerarity Point Road in Pensacola, Florida. Admission costs $10 at the gate, and advance tickets are available at GCMMF.org.  Donations can also be made through the website.

The daylong event will include arts and crafts exhibits, a raffle, and food from The Point Restaurant. Live entertainment will take place on the Restaurant Stage and the Courtyard Stage. Organizers describe the lineup as a showcase of popular local acts. The fundraiser has been held annually at The Point since 2018.

The nonprofit’s mission grew from the realities many working performers face. Gulf Coast venues present live music year-round, and audiences often know the artists personally. Many musicians rely on venue pay and tips, and that income can be unpredictable. When unexpected medical issues arise, some artists delay treatment because they cannot afford the visit.

Founder Webb Dalton has spent more than four decades performing and writing songs. He calls Perdido Key his home away from home while working along the Gulf Coast. Dalton has also served in law enforcement in Tennessee and Alabama for 38 years. Early in his career he opened shows for George Strait, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, George Jones, and Charlie Rich. He says those years showed him how hard it can be to cover medical needs while touring.

In 2017 Dalton lost three close friends who were Gulf Coast musicians and songwriters. The losses pushed him to create a safety net for the community. In 2018 he launched the Gulf Coast Musicians Medical Fund as a 501(c)(3) charity. The fund serves artists in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Help is provided at no cost to the musician or songwriter.

Dalton built the organization with the help of family and friends experienced in nonprofit work. His wife, Missy, joined with Shari Whalen, Savannah Bridges, and Linda Boote to form the initial board. The group brought on a CPA and an attorney to establish the structure. Dalton also recorded a Gospel CD to kick off fundraising. The website and first benefit at The Point followed soon after.

Revenue comes from several sources dedicated to the mission. Sales of Dalton’s album Things Left Undone, including digital downloads, support the fund. Local businesses sponsor the effort with contributions that organizers say go directly to GCMMF. Community support and the annual October fundraiser make up the rest. The approach has allowed the group to grow steadily.

Since 2018, the fund reports helping hundreds of musicians and songwriters. Assistance covers the cost of urgent care or minor medical visits. It also includes filling prescriptions related to those appointments. The goal is to remove financial barriers that can turn minor illnesses into major problems. Organizers stress that recipients are not asked to pay premiums or fees.

Organization leaders say the mission reflects the caring culture of the Gulf Coast. The region is known for live music in restaurants and bars from Perdido Key to Pensacola. Festivals and events draw visitors year-round, including the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Local performers help create that atmosphere for residents and tourists. The fund aims to support the people who help power that scene.

This year’s benefit keeps the format that fans have come to expect at The Point. Two stages allow continuous entertainment through the evening. Attendees can move between the Courtyard Stage and the Restaurant Stage. The schedule is designed so music fills the venue all day. Raffles and vendor booths add to the community feel.

Supporters who want to give more can explore sponsorship opportunities. Businesses across the area have backed the effort since its founding.

Dalton says the message remains simple. The fund exists so the music can play on. By covering basic medical costs when artists need help, the nonprofit keeps performers healthy and on stage. The October benefit provides the resources to continue that work. Residents and visitors can participate by purchasing tickets and attending, donating to the cause or helping spread the word.

For more information, visit: Gulf Coast Musicians Medical Fund website.