Let's Help Musician Swine Grantt
If you listen to country music, you are familiar with the work of bass player Kevin "Swine" Grantt. The Academy of Country Music-nominated musician has played on albums for Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Jamey Johnson, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Josh Turner, Ronnie Dunn, Alison Krauss, and so many more.
But the music has stopped because Swine has had to step away from the studio to take care of Jan, his wife of 31 years, who has Stage 4 leiomyosarcama. She was diagnosed with the rare and deadly form of cancer in April 2012. She is in the hospital, where she has also been battling sepsis and pneumonia. Right now, only one experimental treatment remains on the horizon, but she is too sick from the chemo and cancer to be considered for it. She can't walk now and will require around-the-clock care.
Swine doesn't want her to be out of his sight, which means he isn't able to work. "I can't be away from her," he says. "She hasn't asked me to, but I don't want to be away from her."
Jan has Medicare, but the medical bills now total more than $500,000. In addition, the couple needs help with their $3,000 living expenses. In addition, her medicine costs $1,500 a month, so they pay that first before tackling any household bills. Other expenses have included a hospital bed for their home.
Swine is weak and tired, so it's up to us to help pitch in and take the financial worries off his plate. He has given so much to so many in Nashville. He has laid the most memorable bass lines to some of our favorite songs. He has helped create music that was there when we needed it, so now is our time to return the favor.