If you go
› Where: Songbirds Guitar Museum, 35 Station St. (South), 41 Station St. (North)› For more information: 423-531-2473THE MALEMEN: A NIGHT OF MOTOWN› When: 9 p.m. Friday, May 31 (S)› Admission: $15DAVE MATTHEWS TRIBUTE BAND› When: 9 p.m. Saturday, June 1 (S)› Admission: $12 in advance, $15 day of showTHE PETERSON BROTHERS› When: 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2 (N)› Admission: $15 in advance, $20 day of showVETERANS CONCERT TO BENEFIT OPERATION SONG› When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4 (N)› Admission: $10
In December, Nashville songwriting pals of local singer-songwriter Robby Hopkins invited him to come to a meeting of Operation Song, see if he could lend his talent to help some veterans. Hopkins was hooked. He says he has been songwriting with the local vets twice a month ever since.
Operation Song is a nonprofit organization in which professional songwriters and musicians work with veterans, active military and their families to help them tell their stories through song. It’s music therapy that helps soldiers cope with PTSD and helps their families better understand the physical and emotional burdens they’ve been carrying.
Bobbie Standefer, Operation Song director, began the local classes with help from Nashville songwriters Don Goodman and Steve Dean.
Hopkins says he has great respect for all members of the Armed Forces; all of them voluntarily serve their country, but not all will see battle action.