Country Artists Join ‘Musicians On Call’ To Honor Those In VA Hospitals This Veterans Day

As Americans pay tribute to those who’ve served in the U.S. military on this Veterans Day, Musicians On Call, wanted to make sure and honor vets getting care in VA hospitals across the country. The non-profit organization that takes the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients in medical facilities nationwide, helped put together a virtual concert specifically for VA patients.

Featuring performances and special messages from country artists like Craig Morgan, Chris Young, Scotty McCreery, The Bellamy Brothers, Charles Esten, Keb’ Mo’ and others, the Concert For Veterans Presented by Wrangler will be streamed into hospitals today and throughout the rest of the month.

As part of its effort to honor veterans, Musicians On Call also held a live concert at the VA hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee earlier this month. It was the first live performance at a VA facility since before COVID, and it meant a lot to those patients who’d had little outside contact for the past two-and-a half years.

“We all know what music does for ourselves,” said Tom Gallagher, Chief of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement for the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (which is the VA system for Middle Tennessee), “but I think, especially for people isolated in a room who may not have family or friends here, especially over the past several years, because the isolation has been really difficult. So, to bring in live music to our patients was extremely impactful for our veteran patients.”

Most of the vets who are patients at the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center are residents. It is actually a long-term care center.

“We brought the patients in to our auditorium and Musicians On Call brought in three up-and-coming country artists. They came in, got up on stage, we had music and lights, and they thanked the veterans for their service and sang them some live music. And if you could see the look on some of those veterans faces.”

Singer/songwriter Tyler Braden, a former firefighter, who has a new single called “Try Losing One” and will be touring with Mitchell Tenpenny early next year, was happy to perform.

“It was the first show since COVID, so it was really cool to be in the first one back. They were super excited, and we were super excited. There were patients with Alzheimer’s, just out of surgery, and all kinds of different situations, but they were just happy to get in there, forget about all that, and listen to some music.”

He says he’s wanted to help with Musicians On Call for a long time and getting to sing for the vets is a great way to start.

“I feel like if you can impress someone and give a good time to someone who has had the life experiences they’ve had and seen what they’ve seen, you’re doing something right. So getting the opportunity to play for them was amazing.”

Singer/songwriter Austin Snell, an Air Force veteran himself (he did aircraft maintenance on C-17s) says he, too, was grateful for the chance to perform.

“When they told me they hadn’t had anything like that happen in a while and with me being in the military, I felt like I was playing to my community in a way. I had an absolute blast. And they were just over the moon, I mean they were all smiling as soon as we walked in and started playing songs.”

Snell who has a new single out called “Excuse the Mess,” says he knows the powerful effect music can have on people, and hopes to do future performances with Musicians on Call.

“My mom always told me music is the best therapy and it has been for me my whole life.”

Singer/songwriter Drew Parker whose newest singles are “Raised Up Right,” and “Little Miss Saturday Night,” says he had actually been to the VA hospital before. He has a degree in radiology and when he first moved to Nashville, he worked for a mobile x-ray company that took him to the Murfreesboro facility. He said it was amazing to return, this time to play music. And he response was fantastic.

“It was wonderful, not only for the veterans there, but the employees, as well. Since it was the first time they’d done anything like this in a while, they were raring to go! They were ready for this.”

He says he not only wanted to share his music, but to express his deep gratitude to the veterans.

“Just to be able to say thank you. That because of your sacrifice and because of everything you did in the military, you gave a kid like me from a small town in Georgia, the chance to do what I love to do and that’s write and play country music. So, thank you for that.”

While Musicians On Call takes special note of those who serve on Veterans Day, they strive to honor vets year-round.

“We are passionate about delivering the healing power of music to veterans every day through our bedside, virtual and streaming programs. Being able to show extra love and appreciation on Veterans Day, with the help of many compassionate partners like Wrangler and artists across genres, is something we look forward to each year,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin, “This year is especially meaningful since we are finally able to return for a live show with our friends at Warner Music Nashville. We’ve missed the incredible personal connections that are made between Veterans and artists through music, it’s a thrill to be able to create those special moments again.”

Musicians On Call has taken live and virtual music to the bedsides of more than 1-million patients, families, caregivers, and others in healthcare facilities nationwide. That number includes more than 90,000 veterans, their families and caregivers.

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