The concert and panel discussion are free and suitable for all ages.

5:15 – 6 pm : Concert at the top of State Street. Open to the public, bring your own seating.

6:30 – 8:00 pm : Panel Discussion with the musicians. Please register in advance on Eventbrite due to limited seating at the museum.

REGISTER HERE https://www.eventbrite.com/e/generations-healing-and-the-music-of-war-vietnam-to-today-tickets-160057076023

Live music is back and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will host a free, outdoor concert at the top of State Street to preview the release of the album, The Last Thing We Ever Do (bring your own seating) followed by a public panel discussion (free; register in advance on Eventbrite) with the musicians. The album is a collection of songs based on first–hand testimony of Vietnam veterans about their experiences. The panel will explore their creative process and the healing that art activities can bring about.

Inspired by first-hand testimony, Vietnam-era veterans and professional songwriters created the songs and studio musicians gave them voice resulting in the 14-song album, The Last Thing We Ever Do.  The origins of the project begin with Vietnam vets sharing their experiences at retreats like Warrior Songs where veterans heal through the creative arts, personal conversations, and interviews. Topics range from combat and the draft to reintegration and moral injury.

Panelist:

Jason Moon, founder and executive director of Warrior Songs; Yvette Pino, Iraq war veteran and curator of veteran art for the Museum; Doug Bradley, Madison Vietnam veteran and co-author of We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War; Jake Froelke, songwriter and musician. He and Bradley collaborated on “Look Out Sam,” one of the songs on the album which emphasizes the significance of music to troops in Vietnam. The Last Thing We Ever Do is produced by Wisconsin native and Iraq vet Jason Moon of Warrior Songs, a Madison-based nonprofit which brings hope and healing to veterans through music and the creative arts. Warrior’s second volume, Women at War, was awarded album of the year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry in 2019.

*Copies of The Last Thing We Ever Do will be provided free to veterans who attend the event.

The program is presented by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation with the support of Madison’s Central Business Improvement District.

https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wisvetsevent/generations-healing-and-the-music-of-war-vietnam-to-today-a-discussion-and-pre-program-concert/

Warrior Songs Blues Bash Join us at Funks Pub on Friday August 6th for a night of blues music in support of Warrior Songs.

Blues legend and Vietnam Veteran Watermelon Slim (2021 Blues Music Awards - Acoustic Blues Album ‘Traveling Man’, 2020 Blues Music Awards – Album of the Year ‘Church of the Blues’) is joined by Madison blues rockers The MadTown Mannish Boys for a night of blues.

Warrior Songs founder and 2016 105.5 Triple M songwriting champion Jason Moon will open the show. All proceeds go to benefit the non-profit Warrior Songs – bringing healing to veterans through music and the creative arts.

Watermelon Slim is in Wisconsin in support of his song "Trying My Best to Get Back Home" off of the CD "The Last Thing We Ever Do: Warrior Songs Vol. 3" - 14 songs from the first hand testimony of USA Vietnam era Veterans.

WSv3 - www.warriorsongs.org/wsv3

Watermelon Slim - https://watermelonslim.com/

Madtown Mannish Boys - https://madtownmannishboys.com/

Vietnam Veteran and Blues Legend Watermelon Slim is in Milwaukee supporting the release of "The Last Thing We Ever Do: Warrior Songs Vol. 3". Slim has a song on this CD. Stop by Linemman's for a rare intimate performance with a living blues legend.

Blues legend and Vietnam Veteran Watermelon Slim (2021 Blues Music Awards - Acoustic Blues Album ‘Traveling Man’, 2020 Blues Music Awards – Album of the Year ‘Church of the Blues’) is joined by Milwaukee Blues Musician Rich Travis and Warrior Songs founder Jason Moon. Suggested donation of $5 at the door.

“The Last Thing We Ever Do: Warrior Songs Vol. 3” - Official Release Party

After 2 years of dedicated work, Warrior Songs is pleased to announce the release of our third compilation CD “The Last Thing We Ever Do: Warrior Songs Vol. 3”.

This 14 song CD explores the experiences of USA Vietnam War Era Veterans. 19 Vietnam era Veterans gave testimony, which was transformed into song by 21 songwriters. 81 studio musicians came together in 14 different studios across 5 states in two countries – USA and Vietnam. In total, 109 artists, 17 of which were Vietnamese nationals, joined forces to complete the project.

The release party will take place at Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI on Sunday, August 8th, 2021. Doors open at 2pm, show starts at 3pm and goes until 6pm. Cost: Free to Veterans and $10 to Civilians – all attendees receive a complimentary copy of the CD. Several Milwaukee and Wisconsin based veterans service organizations will be present at the event to share information about their work.

The line includes 10 of the 14 acts that wrote and recorded songs for the CD, including: Lisa Johnson Vets on Frets Jake Froelke Kyle Rightly Larry Reed w/Frogwater Pauline Pisano w/BriGette McCoy Jeff Mitchell Aaron Baer and Paul Wisneski Jason Moon The Mambo Surfers Watermelon Slim Elvis Thao

Proceeds will help fund Warrior Songs future work

Our good friend Patricia Clason has helped us invite several groups to table. These groups include, Center for Veterans Issues, Vetsnet, Dry Hooch, Feast of Crispian, Veterans For Peace, and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.