Changing Lives Through Music

Country artist Brent Payne supports the troops in many ways by dedicating his time and efforts at the local VA hospital. Guitars For Vets, a program at the hospital, recently held their graduation. Payne showed up for hours, talking with the vets, signing guitars and handing out free CDs to those in attendance. This program is set up with all volunteers to help our men and women coming back who suffer from PTSD. The program is designed to help them cope with PTSD through music. So far 93 student veterans have graduated and Yamaha has donated over $16,000 in guitars, guitars which have been given to each graduating student. There is a waiting list across the United States of vets who want to be enrolled in this program. "To see their faces light up and to here their stories of how music has changed their lives is very emotional and inspirational. Most have over come suicidal thoughts and have found new direction and happiness and peace in their life [since becoming involved with the program]. We salute these brave men and women who have given so much to this wonderful country. I feel so alive when I leave the hospital and these wonderful soldiers thank you and your families and never give up!" said Brent Payne.