Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh and VetsAid have pulled the plug on this year's annual VetsAid benefit concert, aimed at raising funds for veterans, due to “circumstances beyond organizers’ control.” The concert was slated for November 11 at the UBS Arena in New York.
Notably, the latter will fork out $40,000 in benefactions to the previously listed recipients. Walsh's statement, published on Instagram, reads:
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"The wellbeing of our veterans and their families remains my foremost concern and the primary mission of VetsAid. While I am disappointed in the cancellation of this year’s event and apologize for any inconvenience to our fans, I am thrilled to share that VetsAid will provide $400,000 in grants to these fine organizations who will focus these funds on the ground in New York and New Jersey to veterans who have sacrificed so much and asked for so little in return.”
Post Malone was slated to perform at this year's VetsAid Show
As mentioned in his Instagram post, the recipients for this year's alms are: Travis Manion Foundation, Fourblock, Hire Heroes Foundation, America’s VetDogs, Vets4Warriors, Our Military Kids, Foundation for Women Warriors, HunterSeven Foundation, Merging Vets & Players.
The community grant recipients include: Homeward Bound Adirondacks, Project Refit, AMVETS Service Foundation of New Jersey, and North Country Veterans Association.
Post Malone, Eric Church, Toto, Kool & the Gang, and Walsh were all slated to perform as part of the lineup at the now-canceled eighth edition of the concert. Previously, Walsh had expressed his excitement in a statement:
"VetsAid is for EVERYONE: fans of all ages, backgrounds and musical genres. So who better to join the party than Posty – the man who can do it all? And do it so well?! Mix in the best of country with Eric, rock with Toto and funk with Kool and The Gang and you have a VetsAid for the ages. What better way to honor our veterans and their families this Veterans Day than with a night you will never forget?”
In the past, giants like Ringo Starr, Jason Isbell, Sheryl Crow, and James Taylor have all been part of the events, which have shelled out around $3.5 million to date, as per Billboard. Speaking with Rolling Stone earlier this week, Walsh, whose father was a veteran and gave his life for the military, said:
"I just firmly feel that they don’t get enough help after they put themselves in harm’s way. And I wanted to make a difference in that. I mean, a homeless veteran drives me nuts. That’s why I decided that this was a place where I could make a difference.”
All ticketholders, who booked via Ticketmaster, can expect to hear back for their refunds.
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