Music star’s guitar going up for auction to help vets’ charity
Dwight Yoakam donates instrument to benefit former RCMP, military members
One lucky country music fan’s bid on a signed Dwight Yoakam guitar won’t just make the ultimate concert souvenir — it will also help to put guitars in the hands of current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP.
Guitars for Vets, a program run by Veterans Emergency Transition Services Canada, teamed up with Worldwide Music Ventures, Yorkville Sound/Epiphone Canada and Long & McQuade to auction off signed guitars to raise as much money as possible to help provide guitars, online lessons and a volunteer instructor to people suffering from service related injuries like PTSD.
“Music therapy is a proven concept,” said Steve Gilliss, the national director of Guitars for Vets Canada.
“It helps to minimize some of the impact that PTSD has while they are playing. The science behind it shows that when the brain has been studied during these types of activities ... it actually does help the person suffering.”
More than 800 students — more than 50 of whom are scattered throughout Saskatchewan — and 200 music instructors are participating in the program.
Gilliss said he has seen the veterans benefit from this type of therapy “over and over again.”
When he first reached out to Dwight Yoakam and his team to pitch the idea of hosting an auction at each of his five shows in Canada, they were quick to see the benefit, Gilliss said.
Silent auctions at Yoakam’s first two concerts have already raised $7,000 — but Gilliss is always hoping for that one big spender who really sees the benefits of supporting Guitars for Vets.
“I’d love to raise anywhere between $2,000 to $5,000 (in Saskatoon), but if there is a wonderful soul out there willing to go higher I’m not going to reject it, that’s for sure,” he laughed.
It’s also easy to get involved by signing up to volunteer on the program’s website or by donating a new or used guitar at any Long & McQuade shop across Canada.
Gilliss said the group hopes to expand the program in Saskatchewan by finding someone willing to volunteer their time to work as a team leader for the province.
“Even more than just simply raising money, it’s about creating awareness that we exist and get people interested.”
It helps to minimize some of the impact that PTSD has while they are playing.