The ninth annual VetsAid concert is set to roar back to life on Saturday, November 15, 2025, INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita, Kansas—and this time, it’s personal. For Joe Walsh, the multi-GRAMMY-winning guitarist and Kennedy Center Honor recipient who founded VetsAid in 2017, this isn’t just another benefit. It’s homecoming. It’s redemption. And with a lineup that includes Vince Gill, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Nathaniel Rateliff, it’s shaping up to be the most emotionally charged night in the charity’s history.
Why Wichita? A Homecoming With Heart
Wichita isn’t just the location—it’s the reason. Walsh, who grew up in the city, has spent years building VetsAid into a national force, raising over $4 million for veterans’ causes since its 2017 debut in Virginia. But the 2025 event marks a deliberate pivot: for the first time, every dollar raised will go exclusively to Kansas-based veteran organizations. The move isn’t arbitrary. It’s a quiet act of loyalty. Local nonprofits, many operating out of basements and church halls, now have a lifeline. Grant applications are open through www.vetsaid.org/grants, vetted by the Combined Arms Institute, ensuring funds reach those who need them most.
And there’s more. A stretch of road near the arena is being renamed in Walsh’s honor—no fanfare, no press release, just a quiet tribute from a city that remembers him as the kid who played guitar in the garage down the street. "Wichita is the place to be this November 15th," Walsh said in a statement. "It’s not just a show. It’s a revival."
The Lineup: A Who’s Who of American Music
Walsh didn’t just book a concert—he assembled a family reunion. Vince Gill, his fellow Eagles member and country legend, will share the stage. Ryan Bingham, the Academy Award-winning songwriter known for his gritty, cinematic storytelling, brings his "barnstorming" energy. Then there’s Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the blues-rock power couple whose chemistry on stage is the stuff of legend. And Trucks? His family roots run deep in Wichita—his grandfather was a mechanic here, his aunt still lives in the same neighborhood.
Adding to the soulful mix: Nathaniel Rateliff, whose voice cracks open the soul like a storm front. And The Texas Gentlemen, the unsung heroes of the Lone Star music scene, will open the night with their swampy, soul-infused rock. Walsh himself will close the show with a surprise super-set featuring all five, a moment fans have waited for since the 2024 cancellation.
The 2024 Void and the Comeback
Let’s be honest: last year’s cancellation stung. "Extraordinary circumstances," the official statement read—no details, no excuses. Fans were devastated. The 2023 event in Nashville drew 12,000 people and raised $800,000. The absence of VetsAid in 2024 left a hole in the veteran community’s calendar. But Walsh didn’t disappear. He regrouped. He reconnected. He came back with a plan: smaller footprint, deeper impact.
"I promised I’d do this every year," Walsh told a small group of Kansas veterans last month. "Even if it’s just one show in one town, I’ll make sure it matters."
How to Watch—And Help
Tickets go on sale Friday, August 8, 2025, at 10 a.m. Central time via www.selectaseat.com. All-in pricing starts at $50, with VIP packages including meet-and-greets and limited-edition merch. For those who can’t make it to Wichita, the concert will stream live on Veeps for $14.99. Subscribers can pay $19.99/month for unlimited access to exclusive music events, documentaries, and original content.
And here’s the kicker: every streaming purchase counts toward the $4 million goal. Even if you’re watching from your couch in Ohio, you’re still helping a veteran in Wichita get a new prosthetic limb, or a single mom with PTSD find therapy, or a homeless vet get back on his feet. That’s the power of this event. It’s not just music. It’s medicine.
From Fairbanks to Wichita: A Legacy Built on Love
The first VetsAid in 2017 featured Walsh, Zac Brown Band, and Gary Clark Jr. in Fairfax, Virginia. The next year, Ringo Starr showed up unannounced in Tacoma. In 2019, Chris Stapleton brought the crowd to tears in Denver. By 2022, the event had become a pilgrimage for musicians who wanted to do more than just play—they wanted to serve.
What makes VetsAid different? It doesn’t fund big-name nonprofits with six-figure overheads. It finds the small ones—the ones no one hears about until a soldier’s wife writes a letter begging for help. In 2023, one grant helped a Kansas veteran’s family pay for a service dog after he lost both legs in Afghanistan. Another funded a mobile clinic that travels to rural towns where VA offices are hours away.
Walsh doesn’t take a dime. No management fees. No cuts. Every penny goes to the cause. That’s why, when a veteran in Salina says, "I wouldn’t be here without VetsAid," it’s not a cliché. It’s the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the $4 million raised by VetsAid be distributed in 2025?
All 2025 proceeds will go exclusively to veteran service organizations operating in Kansas. Grants are vetted by the Combined Arms Institute and awarded to nonprofits with proven, on-the-ground impact—like mobile mental health units, housing programs for homeless vets, and job training for veterans transitioning to civilian life. No national charities receive funds this year.
Why was the 2024 VetsAid concert canceled?
The cancellation was attributed to "extraordinary circumstances," though no specifics were disclosed. Sources suggest logistical and health-related challenges affected key performers and crew. Walsh publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, calling the 2025 event a "recommitment," not a comeback.
Who is Derek Trucks, and why is his connection to Wichita significant?
Derek Trucks, Grammy-winning slide guitarist and member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, has family roots in Wichita—his grandfather worked as a mechanic here, and his aunt still lives in the city. His personal ties add emotional weight to his performance, making the 2025 show feel less like a concert and more like a homecoming for the entire family.
Can I still apply for a VetsAid grant if I’m a Kansas-based veteran organization?
Yes. Grant applications are open through www.vetsaid.org/grants until October 1, 2025. Organizations must demonstrate direct service to veterans in Kansas, with financial transparency and measurable outcomes. The Combined Arms Institute reviews all applications and prioritizes groups serving rural communities and underserved populations.
How does streaming on Veeps support veterans?
Every $14.99 streaming ticket contributes directly to the 2025 grant pool. Unlike other platforms, Veeps doesn’t take a cut from VetsAid’s proceeds. That means 100% of the streaming revenue goes to Kansas veterans’ programs—making watching from home just as impactful as being in the arena.
What makes Joe Walsh’s involvement different from other celebrity charity events?
Walsh doesn’t just lend his name—he curates every detail. He handpicks performers, negotiates stage time, and personally visits grantees. He’s been doing this since 2017, and he’s never taken a salary. For him, VetsAid isn’t a side project. It’s his life’s work—and Wichita is where it’s finally coming full circle.
