Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley & More Perform For Virtual ‘Veterans Day’ Concert For VA Hospital Patients

Virtual Musicians On Call Concert Lineup for Veterans Hospitals

Courtesy of Musicians On Call

Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Terri Clark, Leon Bridges, Chris Janson, and Charles Esten are among the many artists who have recorded songs and personal messages to thank those who’ve served in a special Veterans Day virtual concert. Organized by Musicians On Call and Wrangler, the concert will be streamed to patients in 144 VA hospitals across America. (While the concert is exclusive to VA hospitals, highlights will be shared on MOC’s Facebook page.)

For 20 years, the non-profit Musicians On Call has taken the healing power of live and recorded music to the bedsides of people in healthcare facilities nationwide. Featured artists have ranged from some of the biggest names in music to lesser known singers, songwriters, and musicians, all volunteering their time to share the gift of music. While most of the performances have been in-person (with some recorded), in the wake of COVID-19, MOC has shifted to primarily virtual performances over the past eight months. Given the current restrictions limiting not only live performances, but patients access to visitors, those at the organization felt the need to do something special this November 11th to honor hospitalized veterans

“Because of the pandemic,” explains President and CEO Pete Griffin, “we knew many of the men and women in our nation’s VA facilities would be isolated and without the support of their loved ones this Veterans Day. We wanted to share an extra special concert with them to let them know how much we appreciate them, even if we can’t be there in person.”

Artists like singer/songwriter Chris Janson were quick to sign on to perform.

“I love our military and the men and women who serve, so it’s a great honor,” Janson says. “I’m a very grateful American and I’m grateful for my freedom. I understand that it is a luxury and a privilege, in my opinion, and I don’t want to take that privilege for granted. I know it’s made possible by people who sign up and do a job most of us could never imagine suiting up for.

(Janson also performed with members of the USAF Band for an “Honoring America’s Heroes” Veterans Day event that will be shown on the USAF Band’s Facebook page tonight , Nov. 11,th at 7pm EST.)

Janson, like many of those involved in the virtual concert for vets, has worked with Musicians On Call before.

“I’ve done several things in coordination with them over the years and I think they’re fantastic,” he says. “We play music for a living, so I go back to the title track of what it’s called, ‘Musicians On Call. And when someone calls for a need from you, it’s a no-brainer. We’re here to serve and hopefully make someone’s day a little brighter in whatever fashion that might be.

Singer/songwriter and actor, Charles Esten (known for his role as Deacon Claybourne on the TV show “Nashville”) knows the difference music can make in a hospital setting. His daughter, Addie, was diagnosed with leukemia as a toddler, and he and his wife, Patty, spent a lot of time in hospitals. (Addie is now 21 years old and doing well.)

“To me, Musicians On Call does the most magical, amazing thing,” Esten says. “It finds folks with a voice and a guitar, or a banjo or a keyboard or whatever, some kind of music they can bring into that space. It’s sort of like…I’m almost old enough to remember when black and white television went to color and it’s like that. It’s like a black and white movie and then suddenly there’s color in the room.”

Esten has played for patients both in-person and virtually a number of times. He says while hospital rooms can be lonely for anyone, that’s especially true for older veterans dealing with extended stays.

“It’s one thing to say nobody should be alone in a hospital room for too long without somebody coming in there and lighting it up and playing some music, but especially  for somebody who served, and just put it all out on the line for their country. For me, it’s an honor to be in those rooms.”

Musicians On Call is always working to add more musician volunteers and expand its hospital network. In many cases, however, the demand to bring music to the patients is often greater than the resources available. The organization relies strictly on donations, volunteers, and a wide range of sponsors to support its efforts.

Esten would like to see MOC continue to get bigger and bigger.

“To me, there shouldn’t be people in hospital rooms that don’t have access to this. It makes no sense, because in every city I can tell you, there’s somebody who can pick up a guitar and sing a song and light up a room. So, if there are patients in every city and singer/songwriters in every city, all we’ve got to do is match them up.”

To donate or learn about Musicians On Call, visit

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