Day 4 - 261 -- Music to Heal

While getting ready for work today, the morning news/talk show aired an interview that caught my attention. A veteran with PTSD began a unique support program for others in similar situations -- Guitars for Vets (a program of Vets Canada). The guitar ambassador for the program is Sean McCann. Both men addressed the power of music to heal through their personal experiences. The idea of the project is to provide guitars to veterans wanting them and to match them with guitar lessons -- all without cost to the vet.  Guitars both used and new are donated and others volunteer to provide lessons. Recipients of this musical 'treatment' note that music stops the noise in their head for just a bit -- a type of escape. It helps bring calm where anxiety and panic may exist.

What an amazing project! This blog is testament to the power of music to help me express my daily feelings from across the spectrum. Producing music to channel some excess energy may help some wounded vets with physical and emotional scars to do the same. Music has been used as therapy with many different health concerns. It can give us a moment to pause and recentre. Whether we write, perform or listen -- music brings many positives to our lives.

I chose two songs to share today that are about guitars. The first selection was written by the Canadian performing this live at a 2005 concert. The lyrics for this acoustic version explain things from the perspective of the instrument, noting that the player doesn't own it.  The second selection presents a cover of another song about a guitar, using electric (with acoustic and vocal backing from the writer of the song). It is a favourite of mine. Each song has something to it that makes me relax and remember to breathe <smile>. Enjoy!

This Old Guitar -- Neil Young (with backing guitars by Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson and backing vocals by Emmylou Harris)

While my Guitar Gently Weeps -- The Jeff Healey Band (with backing acoustic and vocals by George Harrison)