Joe Walsh Announces New Military Vets Non-Profit, Benefit Show
Joe Walsh may be busy with the Eagles‘ pair of reunion shows this summer, but he has other things on his mind as well.
The guitarist is forming VetsAid, a non-profit that will provide support for military veterans and their families. VetsAid will kick off September 20 with a concert in Fairfax, Va., at which Walsh will be joined by Keith Urban, the Zac Brown Band, Gary Clark Jr. and others to be announced.
In a statement Walsh says that, “I had to do something and seeing as though rock-and-roll seems to be what I do best, it’s also the least I could do for those who have served and continue to serve our country. We’re all in this together as Americans and seems to me lately that people are forgetting that. I asked my buddies Zac, Gary and Keith to step up and I’m so grateful that they did. Let’s put on a show, raise some money and celebrate our vets…and let’s do it every year.”
Walsh’s father was a Gold Star military veteran and flight instructor who died while stationed and on active duty in Okinawa during 1949.
VetsAid follows “No Man’s Land,” Walsh’s song contribution to 2016 documentary Citizen Soldier about the Oklahoma National Guard 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team — aka The Thunderbirds — and its deployment to Afghanistan.
Walsh tells us that he was moved to do even more for vets, saying
“These guys are coming home either missing arms or legs or just completely shattered, mentally. And, y’know, I see homeless vets and I go, ‘Holy, that’s not ok.'”
In addition to the charity, Walsh will play another show with the Eagles at the Classic East festival on July 29 in New York, while the guitarist and his band play a three-night stand September 27, 29 and 30 at the House of Blues in Las Vegas.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
