Rocker, Joe Walsh, has generously sponsored his third annual VetsAid fundraising event commemorating and supporting American veterans. Many soldiers return to civilian life traumatized by their experiences and often forgotten by Americans at home. Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a very common condition and it can cause the veteran to have difficulty blending back in society. Some may have problems getting or returning to their jobs and many suffer from flashbacks, hallucinations, sleep disorders, and depression resulting in homelessness and suicide.
Walsh has always had a close bond with the military since his father was a fatality of war; he identified himself as a ‘Gold Star kid.’ He was never allowed to serve in the military due to this rule regarding family loss and was disappointed that he could not serve his country in the military. Providing care for our nation’s veterans and military families has always been a priority for Walsh.
The performers lined up for VetsAid 2019 at Houston’s Toyota Center on November 10th were Brad Paisley, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Sheryl Crow, ZZ Top, the Doobie Brothers, and Joe Walsh. Each performer has donated their time and talent for this show and cause. There was a genuine concern and sense of gratitude displayed for our veterans by all of the performers.
The day started with a photo op with Walsh and local members of all branches of the military and their families. Next, the performers participated in a photo with Walsh. Marjorie and Joe Walsh presented a short press conference with a question and answer period at the end. They defined their goals and it was very important for Marjorie and Joe to get the message out regarding what is continuing to happen to veterans in America.
Traveling through this country for many years, Walsh noticed that there were huge gaps in support for veterans and their families in some of the most remote places. As a result, he has sought to support smaller organizations in the more remote towns and cities in addition to larger organizations. The smaller organizations are often run by vets themselves. This is the reason that they have committed to have these concerts in different cities located all over the United States each year and to focus on regional charities. In the last two years they have raised 1.2 million dollars for these charities.
Walsh mentioned that he visits Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. regularly where vets wait for prosthetics to be made for their lost limbs. He would sit with the guys there without knowing what to say or what to do; it would often turn into a guitar seminar. He found that the guys were not bitter or angry but they just wanted to get their artificial limbs and get back to civilian life and to their families.“It just made me love America and I decided to do something to make a difference,” recalls Walsh.
One could compare this concert to Farm Aid. One major difference with VetsAid was there was no politics involved on this day. It was apolitical. Once the music started it was non-stop for six hours. All of the sets were a synopsis of the greatest hits from each performer and that was fine with the 10,000 plus attendees.
The concert started with a short set by country singer, Brad Paisley. It’s odd that a multiple Grammy winner would be the opening act, but this is VetsAid and anything goes. Paisley wowed the crowd as he managed to squeeze in ten of his hit songs and even slipped in a bit of Prince’s “Purple Rain” for the occasion. Joined by Walsh for some hot guitar work on “Alcohol,” this was an added bonus that closed the set with an unbeatable swagger.
Sheryl Crow and her band quickly took the stage after Paisley. She reached back 25 years to her hit songs ”All I Wanna Do,” “If It Makes You Happy,” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road.” Jason Isbell joined her on stage for a duet on Dylan’s “Everything Is Broken.” She packed a lot of punch into a 30-minute set and Crow mentioned ahead of her set finale, “I Shall Believe” that every member of her band had a family member who served in a war, stretching back to World War II. Without making a speech, Crow simply reminded the crowd that the night’s focus was on our family members, friends and neighbors who have devoted themselves to military service.
Comedian, Drew Carey, was on hand as an emcee and he introduced some area veterans in between sets. They spoke about the veteran programs and how they help.
Isbell and The 400 Unit followed with a heartfelt group of songs tailored for the night like “Tour of Duty,” “24 Frames,” and “Decoration Day.” Isbell is well known for his stellar songwriting, but this set was all about superb guitar work and musicianship as well. Isbell decided to end the set on an upbeat note with a raucous cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well.” It was a set that was mighty good and too short.
ZZ Top is known as that little ole band from Texas and the Texas crowd proved just how much they loved their ‘homies.’ Gibbons gave fans everything they wanted from “La Grange” to “Legs” to “Gimmie All Your Lovin’ ” and “Got Me Under Pressure.” Folks were having a great time as they provided the off-key choral accompaniment for the band.
The Doobie Brothers was a late add-on to the concert line up, but they gave the fans everything they had to give with early hits “China Grove,” “Black Water,” and “Listen to the Music.” The vocals were impeccably hot as the hits kept coming. Walsh had the final act of the night and he delivered some of the best guitar licks of the night with “Rocky Mountain High,” “Life’s Been Good,” and the Eagles’ “Life in the Fast Lane.” There were videos in the background depicting Walsh’s career from day one. Walsh’s guitar had a voice of its own that elicited as much emotion as the voices that came before Walsh’s set.
There was an all-star finale at the end of Walsh’s set performing Bill Withers’ “Lean On Me.” It was a song with a powerful message to our veterans on the eve of Veteran’s Day. It was a special night for a great cause.
Go to www.vetsaid.org to learn more about the organization all the programs that they support.
