By: Staff
(L – R) Eric Weinstein (G4V); Dick Wagner and Patrick Nettesheim (G4V)
Guitars for Vets (G4V) is a non-profit organization providing guitar instruction and free acoustic guitars to injured military veterans and they have launched their “Artist Ambassador” coalition.
Their first “Artist Ambassador” is Dick Wagner, who famously banded with co-lead guitarist Steve Hunter for Lou Reed and Alice Cooper.
Dick Wagner, aside from his lead guitar histrionics, is an award-winning BMI songwriter and of late, author. His rock (almost) tells-all book, “Not Only Women Bleed” is in its third printing.
Wagner is the midst of a book-signing and performance tour in association with Barnes & Noble. The book has been nominated for “Book Of The Year” by Foreword Reviews and is on amazon.com’s best-seller – Biography of Entertainers.
Wagner has been featured on more than 200 albums – Peter Gabriel, Aerosmith, Air Supply immediately come to mind. Out of that grouping, there are 35 gold and platinum albums featuring the guitar licks of the former Detroit area native.
Other artists/groups Wagner has played guitar or composed songs include: Meat Loaf, Guns N’ Roses, Ringo Starr, Tina Turner, Etta James, Hall & Oates, Little Richard, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison, KISS, Jerry Lee Lewis, to name a few.
Dick Wagner’s greatest collaboration was with Alice Cooper (who wrote the forward to “Not Only Women Bleed”) where he was his musical director, lead guitar and co-writer –
“Welcome To My Nightmare”, “You And Me”, “Only Women Bleed”, “Alice Goes To Hell”, “Lace And Whiskey”, “Lace And Whiskey”, “From The Inside”, “The Alice Cooper Show” and “Da Da”.
In September 2010, Gibson.com selected the guitar duo of Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner as #25 – Gibson’s Top 50 Guitar Solos Of All Time – in particular their legendary intro to Lou Reed’s live album “Rock And Roll Animal”.
Guitars for Vets (G4V) is 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization was founded in 2007 with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. G4V currently operates 30 chapters in 15 states. The organization is dedicated to sharing the “healing power” of music with veterans suffering from significant post-combat mental and emotional distress, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“In the last year I have been thinking of what I could do to contribute to the wellness of our injured veterans returning home from battle and suffering from war fatigue and PTSD. When I was approached by the guys at G4V, I was immediately impressed with their notion of the guitar and resultant music as a healing component for these injured warriors, suffering in our country’s interest.
As a guitarist, by profession, I can relate to the calming effect a guitar can bring to a troubled mind. I jumped at the opportunity to come on board with G4Vs. The association with G4V is a rewarding one and I am proud to be their first ‘Poster Boy’ – Artist Ambassador,” Wagner said.
They provide free private guitar instruction and a new acoustic guitar in a structured program run by volunteers and in association with Veterans Administration (VA) facilities and veterans’ centers. Veterans are typically referred to the G4V program by their mental health provider. Weekly lessons are individualized and based on a curriculum designed to accommodate any physical and/or emotional challenges and learn at your own pace program. Upon completion of the curriculum, each student is presented with a brand new guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, strings, picks, method book and certificate of completion followed by inclusive monthly group lessons.
“Dick Wagner is an America treasure. His incredible musical talents are exceeded only by his authentic, down-to-earth and empathetic nature. Dick’s support for our Veterans is exemplary and I am thrilled to have a man of such integrity and accomplishments stand as G4V’s first Rock & Roll Ambassador!” – Patrick Nettesheim – Co-Founder G4V
For less than $300, Guitars for Veterans can provide 10 guitar lessons – and a free acoustic guitar to our country’s deserving heroes. For more information about how to contribute to the Guitars for Vets movement, please visit the site – guitarsforvets.org or call 1-855-G4V-HERO
Source: Dassinger Creative Services
