MusicCityNashville.net: Gibson Gives and Guitars For Vets Gather For a Memorable Rock to Remember Concert in Nashville

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Gibson Gives and Guitars For Vets Gather For a Memorable Rock to Remember Concert in Nashville

by Rich and Laura Lynch

Gibson Gives and Guitars For Vets combined forces to raise funds to support U.S. military veterans in advance of Veteran's Day. The Rock To Remember live concert took place on November 08, 2022 at the Gibson Garage in Nashville, Tennessee. The rebroadcast of this event will stream globally on Wednesday, December 7, "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day" via Guitars For Vets online and the Stars and Stripes Facebook page.

Gibson Gives and Guitars For Vets Gather For a Memorable Rock to Remember Concert in Nashville

Dave Mustaine of Megadeth performs at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

"I believe that the first step in suicide prevention is to inspire those suffering in despair to keep on living and the community that is built around Guitars For Vets and Gibson Gives is doing just that," said Patrick Nettesheim (Co-Founder, Guitars For Vets) before the fun and festivities began while outlining the serious nature and powerful purpose motivating the cause. "Together, our organizations along with the healing power of music, are blazing a path that can transform complete loss or the absence of hope into the desire to soldier on and reclaim the birthright of joy."

Scott Stapp performs at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

Rock To Remember was hosted by a warlike figure in his own right - the up and coming blues musician Jared James Nichols - who some in the crowd likened to a Viking while nick-naming him "Thor". JJN opened the night with a riveting version of the national anthem played on a battle worn Les Paul before turning the spotlight over to a talented cast of characters that featured amazing rock vets and several capable new recruits.

The evening's host Jared James Nichols performs at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

Two acts really brought the meaning of this special gathering close to home when the Nashville Chapter of Guitars 4 Vets came out early in the night to perform their original song "Tennessee Sunrise". Later veteran Scotty Hasting who survived being shot 10 times in action touched upon hard times when sharing "Stories" - a heartfelt piece about vets sharing stories and remembering their friends who did not make it back home alive.

Emerson Hart of TONIC performs at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

"Gibson Gives is proud of our long partnership with Guitars For Vets," explains Dendy Jarrett, Executive Director of Gibson Gives. "Watching Scotty Hasting - a U.S. veteran and a Guitars For Vets graduate - perform the songs he has written is such an inspiration to all of how this music program helps returning veterans."

The Nashville Chapter of Guitars 4 Vets perform at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

Music highlights included: Singer Scott Stapp of Creed fame was in fine form looking and sounding great as he presented two fan favorites "My Sacrifice" and "Arms Wide Open" while providing a shout-out to his son who he wrote that beautiful second song for 24 years ago. He mentioned that Jagger was in the crowd and now living in Nashville pursuing his own musical career. Emerson Hart from the band TONIC talked about his own experience playing in war zones before performing some pop songs for us including the smash hit "If You Can Only See".

Clockwise: Dendy Jarrett, Patrick Nettesheim, Cesar Gueikian, Kirk Fletcher, Scotty Hasting and John Bohlinger at the Gibson Garage.

Kirk Fletcher with The John Bohlinger Trio delved into the blues. The band Goodbye June impressed with a blend of blues and hard rock which they showcased in their high energy set. Tigirlily was an acoustic duo singing smart, well-structured songs. An evening of great music for a great cause culminated with the explosive and daunting "Symphony of Destruction" when Cesar Gueikian (Gibson Brand President) - an executive who knows his way around a Flying V - held his own while dueling with Mr. Megadeth himself - Dave Mustaine.

Tigirlily perform at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

The grand night and fund raiser was made possible by a large slate of sponsors including Lipman Brothers pouring drinks and the military themed Mission BBQ serving up delicious BBQ with sides. The event included a live auction and charitable donations onsite which raised $15,000 and an additional "Rock To Remember" auction featuring Gibson Custom Shop guitars has now opened for bidding online and will run through Wednesday, December 7 - the day of the concert rebroadcast.

Goodbye June performs at "Rock To Remember" in Nashville.

"Guitars For Vets (G4V) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports U.S. military veterans struggling with the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by providing them with free guitars and both one on one and group lessons. To date, Guitars For Vets and its nearly 800 volunteers have gifted more than 6,000 new guitars - the bulk of them coming from Gibson Brands - and 60,000 music lessons to those that have endured the wounds of war. All of the instruments and accessories are provided free of charge to the Veterans in the program but the cost must be met through donations." So if you can - please give directly to Guitars For Vets by texting G4V to R2R22 or by going to www.guitarsforvets.org and clicking the donate button.