Guitars 4 Vets

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: Tim Meegan Jr.
2025-08-23 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Welcome to “Song Song True – A Veteran’s View” where we welcome back US Army Iraq War Veteran, Colorado singer/songwriter, and Memphis recording artist Tim Meegan Jr. who appeared on our podcast back in November 2023. Tim shared many of his personal stories and original songs from his album Cook County Country. In this podcast, Tim talks candidly about his musical journey since our last interview including songwriting for his forthcoming album, recording with his band, working with Memphis studio professionals, and applying some of the skills he learned from the US Army in managing challenging situations throughout his journey. Includes live performances of some new songs, and a sneak peak of music from his new album to be released later in 2024.

Listen LIVE here

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: KC Cameron
2025-08-30 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
]
While hailing from Detroit, Cameron grew up “country” in his family’s quarter horse business where the records spun there included names like Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, and George Strait. It was twenty years ago while attending Michigan State University when Cameron realized his musical capabilities and started playing drums with local bands around town. Eventually, he learned to play guitar, began writing his own songs, playing solo acoustic shows and fronting his own band. Then, in 2015, Cameron joined the Army through the Nebraska National Guard. Throughout his time in service, he has been commissioned as an Intelligence Officer and had multiple tours of active duty. Simultaneously, he’s been able to hone his musical craft. In 2022, KC released his first EP, “Don’t Get Better” which contained five songs including the title track we just heard. A year later, a 4 song EP titled “Average” was released. And now in 2024, KC recently released his latest single, “Forty” which is now streaming on Spotify and other popular platforms. Looking ahead, Cameron plans on touring extensively in the Midwest and South along with his wife and songwriting partner Kali Indiana.

Listen LIVE here

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: John Hensley
2025-09-06 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
]
In this conversation, John Hensley talks about his youth, growing up in the legendary Georgia music scene, his service with Airfield Operations in the US Army, guitar and songwriting, and much more. Includes acoustic live performances of songs John has written by himself and in collaboration with others. John enlisted at 17 years of age and at 18, left for basic training only six days after finishing high school. During his youth, he was drawn to playing music but never had the opportunity to learn to play an instrument. It wasn’t until someone at his church had found out about this and had given Hensley a guitar before his deployment to Iraq. There, he went on to teach himself how to play. John worked in Airfield Operations: 12-hour days of moving people through dangerous areas on Blackhawks, Chinooks, C130s, C17s and on other fixed and rotary wing aircraft. It wasn’t unusual to move 150-thousand people in a year. Upon his return, John attended the local university where he also met his future wife, Sarah and later took a job with the Gwinnett County Police Department on the DUI Task Force. Hensley’s musical journey took a surprising turn after being accepted to Warrior Song, a program for veterans administered by Camp Southern Ground. Since that experience, John has recorded some of his originals with his Liberty Road Band and has worked with Joe West, a producer out of Nashville to prepare their songs for airplay on radio stations all around the US which can be found on all the popular streaming platforms.

Listen LIVE here

Frets and Fenders Festival
2025-09-13 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Jack Frost Auto Museum, 61741 Campground Rd, Washington, MI, 48094, United States
Announcing the inaugural Frets and Fenders Festival at the Jack Frost Auto Museum on Saturday September 13th. This is an awesome outdoor setting where everyone can hear some great music and view classic cars too. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. We’ll have performances from Chism & Washer and the Guitars for Vets – Detroit jam band. It will be a great afternoon. Admission is FREE! If you have a special ride, please bring it to show along with cars from the museum and other collectors too. You don’t want to miss this event.

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: Joe Allen Christi
2025-09-13 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
G4V Cyber / CAVARTS Instructor, Tom Lamog sits down for an intimate conversation with Joe that includes all things music, songwriting, guitar, and how music has helped Joe Allen Christi all throughout his life from youth through his service, transition and into present day. Joe shares the stories behind each of his original songs, and even shares one that’s new that he plans to record in the studio. It’s the healing power of music at it’s finest.

Listen LIVE here

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: Matthew Jones
2025-09-20 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Matthew Jones, a US Army Veteran of nearly 13 years which included two deployments to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, 2007-08 and again from 2009-10. G4V volunteer and SST:AVV host, Tom Lamog discusses with Jones about his journey with music, guitar and songwriting, while G4V’s Paul Lilley and Karen Dunn join the conversation and talk about Matthew’s healing from injuries sustained during his service, most notably, TBI, and some of the available music therapy programs that are available. Live acoustic performances along with Matthew’s personal tips for songwriters and guitar learners.

Listen LIVE here

Cross Lake Palooza
2025-09-27 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | American Legion Post 14, 5315 S. Lakeshore Dr, Shreveport, LA, United States
Learn more about the event here:

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: Derek Thompson
2025-09-27 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
In this episode, you’ll be meeting Derek Thompson – a veteran of the US Marine Corps where he served two tours in Afghanistan and committing himself to defending his country and comrades, and often coming face to face with unimaginable danger throughout his service. After fulfilling his commitment, Derek went on to pursue firefighting where he fought fires and saved lives. With over ten years of service, Derek later sustained a devastating injury resulting from a fall while fighting a fire which forced him into retirement. He’s since pursued other interests that demonstrated his resilience, versatility and work ethic including coal mining, mixed martial arts then on to parenting where he seems at his happiest sharing stories about his children. These days, Derek looks back at those experiences and writes about them in song lyrics using music to tell these stories. It’s also worth noting that Derek graduated from the Guitars for Vets program last year. In this interview, Thompson shares many of his personal experiences from his youth, through his career in the US Marines, transition into a civilian world, parenting, music, songwriting, performing, and much more. You’ll also hear him perform some of his original music and songs he’s inspired by.

Listen LIVE here

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: Schaefer Mueller
2025-10-04 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Hosted by G4V Cyber Chapter Instructor, Tom Lamog who talks with Schaefer Mueller about his experiences and adventures in the US military, his uncertain journey with music, guitar and songwriting, stories of some of the interesting gigs he’s performed at, and a deep dive on his personal style of songwriting. Schaefer also performs a number of originals that’ll get you groovin’ and movin’! Schaefer Mueller is a native of Virginia and spent his life in VA until he left for the Army. He is a Combat Veteran who served with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. Schaefer specialized in explosives, mountaineering, and Airborne operations. He deployed as an attachment to an ODA team in Afghanistan. After the Army, he began letting his music be heard. He began booking shows in local bars, expanding to regional shows, and creating a following of loyal fans. Now residing in Alaska, Mueller is a full-time musician, and is also a member of the Texas Country Music Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International, and an Operation Encore artist.

Listen LIVE here

Songs Sung True Rebroadcast: Jack Blaise
2025-10-11 19:00 - 20:30 UTC
Jack Blasie is a multi-service veteran having served in the US Army and US Marine Corps. A few years later, Jack joined the Houston Fire Dept and worked as a paramedic/fireman for more than 10 years until developing a debilitating ailment, chronic headaches, that left him bedridden. As Jack sought treatment for relief, he later discovered that picking up his guitar while playing it lying down would assist in easing some of that discomfort. Lately, his recovery is improving and is able enough to now get out and share his music live. Hosted by G4V Cyber Chapter Instructor, Tom Lamog who talks with Jack about his experiences in the military, growing up in a musical family, coping with long term health issues while continuing to include music in his process for healing, and helping veterans struggling with similar challenges. Acoustic performances with some powerful songwriting.

Listen LIVE here

THIS IS BLUEGRASS: Tennessee Waltz & Blue Moon of Kentucky
2026-03-28 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
“This is Bluegrass” – Boom Strum Rhythm Essentials: Rhythm to songs in 3/4 time. Tennessee Waltz and Blue Moon of Kentucky. Goal: Build a solid bluegrass rhythm guitar foundation with boom-chuck, alternating bass, scale walks, and advanced upstroke variations. THIS IS BLUEGRASS is a series of tutorials based on song lessons and techniques used in Bluegrass music. Danny Smith, G4V Instructor and event coach shares his experience and knowledge of the Bluegrass genre. Learning bluegrass is like putting your guitar skills through a “strength and conditioning” program. Even if you don’t plan on wearing a cowboy hat or playing at a festival, the technical foundations of the genre are incredibly high-yield for beginners. 1. Precision Pick Control Bluegrass is famous for flatpicking. Unlike strumming where you move your whole arm, bluegrass requires a steady, controlled hand. 2. Rhythm and “The Boom-Chuck” The heart of bluegrass rhythm is the alternating bass note (the “Boom”) followed by a strum (the “Chuck”). 3. “Cowboy Chord” Mastery Bluegrass lives in “open positions”—the first three frets of the guitar. 4. Ear Training and Jam Culture Bluegrass is a social genre. It’s built on “standard” songs that everyone knows, which makes it the perfect entry point for playing with others. 5. Dexterity through “Runs” Bluegrass players use “walk-ups” and “walk-downs” to transition between chords. https://guitars4vets.org/

ZOOM LINK TO JOIN: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86700454595?pwd=[REDACTED]
