Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund Serves Music Community

Alan Mayor is one of the best-liked photographers in Nashville, known for the extensive catalog of candid photographs of Country Music artists he accumulated since moving to Music City in the mid-1970s.

Yet not long ago, others noticed something that had slipped his attention - and nearly cost him his life.

"I was in Key West, shooting the BMI Songwriter Fest in May 2006," he recalled. "And in front of all my friends whose pictures I was taking, I collapsed. Everyone was going, 'Alan? What's happening?'"

What was happening was that Mayor's liver was beginning to fail, the result by his own admission of a longtime drinking habit. He was hospitalized and later given extensive treatment at Metro General Hospital in Nashville and Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center in Sevierville, Tenn., leading in November 2007 to a kidney transplant at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

The process, though ultimately successful in bringing him back from the precipice of death, was excruciating. His first six days of hospitalization added up to nearly $20,000 in medical bills. Eventually, he would face charges of more than $100,000 - all of which, as an uninsured patient, was his responsibility.

By that time, though, the musical community in Nashville was rallying to his aid. Anonymous donors made contributions. His contacts at MusiCares referred him to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund. Mayor was aware of the program through his friendship with many members of the Opry and with Steve Buchanan, Senior VP of Media and Entertainment for Gaylord Entertainment as well as President of the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund. But it didn't cross his mind that he might qualify to receive its assistance.

Luckily, he was wrong. Founded in 1965, the Fund has distributed more than $2 million including a $50,000 donation to the Country Music Retirement Community. The Fund has helped 25 to 35 people each year who are in extraordinary need. In most cases, that help comes in the form of $4,000 to $6,000 spent on paying expenses for those who are uninsured or covered insufficiently by their medical insurance policies. Mayor's needs went far beyond this range, yet on reviewing his situation the beneficiary committee, which consists of nine Opry members and two of the Fund's Board of Directors, voted to come to bat for him.

"Alan's need was unique in that it was so extraordinary," Buchanan said. "We were happy that we could him in a major way."

Various sources have replenished the Fund over the past 40-plus years. Along with living members of the Opry and bequests from the families of those who have passed on, a significant source of income is the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund Benefit, which takes place annually in June. At each of these concerts, artists donate their talent and proceeds are channeled into the Fund.

Anonymity is guaranteed for all applicants and beneficiaries of the Fund, but Mayor, who is writing a book about his recovery, is committed to making his story known. "These people do great work," he insisted. "I want to do what I can to make sure it continues."

Donations may be sent to Opry Trust Fund, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, Tenn., 37214.

On the Web: www.opry.com

© 2008 CMA Close Up® News Service / Country Music Association®, Inc.