GET YOUR $20 G4V CONCERT WRISTBAND
Join us at the grand 40'×30' Queenslake waterfront amphitheater for an unforgettable afternoon of music, healing, and patriotism. Your $20 wristband grants you full access to the stage lawn area, the 20 combat-veteran showcases, Forbes Riley's live presentation, our classified National Headliner, and the soaring 20-guitar lakeside finale.
- Full Waterfront Amphitheater Lawn Access
- 20 Combat-Veteran Acoustic Showcases
- Multi-Platinum Mystery Headliner & Finale
- Food Trucks, Craft Beer & Bourbon Tastings
- Direct Donation Contribution to G4V (501c3)
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FROM THE THERAPY ROOM TO THE NATIONAL MAINSTAGE
This October 3rd, the Mogadishu Mile Kentucky partners with Guitars for Vets for a historic world-first: inviting 20 combat-veteran graduates out of the therapy room and onto the grand 40'x30' waterfront mainstage. These men and women—many living with severe PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and physical combat wounds—are taking a monumental leap of courage to step into the spotlight and perform the very songs and melodies that saved their lives.
Positioned along the scenic shores of Queenslake's pristine forty-acre lake, the custom 40' wide by 30' deep full-production amphitheater features tour-grade sound, lighting, and an unobstructed panoramic lake view. It serves not merely as a concert stage, but as a sacred proving ground where raw emotional vulnerability transforms into triumphant artistry.
Set within a private 140-acre lakeside sanctuary, Queenslake provides an intimate, world-class retreat where national artists, veteran performers, Gold Star families, and media icons converge for a shared mission of healing, fellowship, and honor.
Grand Waterfront Amphitheater • Queenslake Central Lake
THE FESTIVAL NARRATIVE & LINEUP
Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Queenslake Grand Lakeside Mainstage (40'x30')
Master of Ceremonies & Special Guest Co-Host:
Forbes Riley ("The Queen of Pitch", National Fitness Hall of Fame)
20 VETERANS: A HISTORIC GATHERING OF SONG & SURVIVAL
Channeling the timeless spirit of a 'Woodstock for Healing,' 20 veteran musicians unite on one stage to prove the power of music over trauma.
Throughout the day, these combat veterans and Kentucky storytellers take the lakeside stage to share original songs, blues, outlaw country, and gospel cadences. It’s an unvarnished, deeply moving testament to brotherhood and recovery—setting the ultimate stage for our grand afternoon finale.
THE JOSLIN BROTHERS & THE "DRIFT AWAY" ENSEMBLE FINALE
Brothers Jeffrey & Justice Joslin mentored eight Guitars for Veterans combat graduates on Queenslake's historic grounds. For these warriors, simply walking out onto the stage to share their original songs was a profound act of bravery.
Following their high-energy, soulful heartland set echoing across the 40-acre lake, The Joslin Brothers brought all eight veteran guitarists back onto the mainstage together for a historic, tearful performance of Dobie Gray's "Drift Away."
The entire amphitheater stood, sang along, and wiped away tears in a transcendent celebration of recovery, brotherhood, and the healing power of music.
GUITARS FOR VETS (G4V)
Guitars for Vets (G4V) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to putting the healing power of music in the hands of our heroes. Founded in 2007, G4V provides a structured, therapeutic alternative for veterans struggling with physical injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and emotional distress.
The program offers 10 private, weekly one-on-one lessons led by volunteers, customized to accommodate each veteran's physical or emotional challenges. Upon completion, graduates are presented with a brand new acoustic guitar and accessory kit to ensure their musical journey and healing continue at home.
100% of voluntary festival stage bucket donations directly purchase student guitars for local veterans.
G4V Veteran Artists, Mentors & Storytellers
The Joslin Brothers (Jeffrey & Justice Joslin)
Nashville Roots • Classic American Sound • Mentoring G4V Combat Veterans
Formed by brothers Jeffrey Joslin (award-winning songwriter & producer) and Justice Joslin (internationally recognized supermodel & lifelong musician), The Joslin Brothers bring a lifelong musical bond honed in all-analog studios from Los Angeles back to their Nashville roots. Drawing inspiration from the timeless spirit of CCR, the soulful sophistication of Hall & Oates, and the heartland storytelling of Bruce Springsteen, they headline Queenslake to mentor, accompany, and perform side-by-side with 20 combat veterans for a historic 20-guitar lakeside finale.
Gregg Combs
Chapter Director / Guitarist
Army veteran who took over leadership of the local G4V chapter, expanding its footprint across Central Kentucky following his inspiring TEDx Talk on music's power in trauma recovery.
Gary Partlow
Guitarist & G4V Graduate
A dedicated program graduate who has mastered a versatile catalog of blues, acoustic arrangements, and classic rock solos, showing the therapeutic focus of G4V in action.
David Pennington
Bassist / Search & Rescue
Talented bassist and active member of Powell County Search & Rescue, bringing deep pocket rhythms and low-end grooves from the Red River Gorge area to anchor the collective sets.
Joshua Brewer, PMP
Guitarist & Documentary Storyteller / Photographer
Documenting and chronicling the stories and portraiture of combat veterans who have received the "gift of healing" through Guitars For Vets for lasting nostalgia and community archive.
Megan Anderson Miller
U.S. Army MP Veteran / Vocalist & Guitarist
Former Military Police officer at Fort Campbell, KY, raised in McMinnville, TN. Bringing a soulful acoustic blend of blues (Janis Joplin, Memphis Minnie), classic country (Patsy Cline), folk, and rock to honor fellow service members.
Regina Pargo
U.S. Army Veteran / Blues, Gospel & G4V Graduate
Army veteran from Ypsilanti, MI whose drill sergeant called on her daily to lead 60-soldier road march cadences. Graduate of the Recording Institute of Detroit and G4V Dearborn Vet Center, she writes, produces, and performs uplifting blues and gospel songs of healing.
Bobby Jones
USAF Retired Master Sergeant (MSgt) / First Sergeant & C-130 Flight Engineer / Christian Worship Artist
20+ year U.S. Air Force veteran (2001–2024) who served as First Sergeant, C-130 E/H Flight Engineer, and IT specialist. NASM Certified Personal Trainer, founder of LIVE Fitness, and Christian worship guitarist who uses acoustic fingerpicking, gospel, and jazz theory as a sacred space to quiet anxiety, inspire community strength, and connect with God.
Mark Graebner
USAF Cryptologic Linguist Veteran (SSgt) / Writer & Musician
U.S. Air Force veteran (2013–2019, SSgt / Cryptologic Linguist) and endurance athlete (2016 Bataan Memorial Ruck finisher). Now holding a Master of Forestry and living in Berea, KY (often busking as "Isaiah Wake"), Mark uses acoustic guitar and songwriting to build community and credits Guitars For Vets with empowering his musical journey.
Jeff Cole
U.S. Navy Veteran (1984–1992) / Acoustic Rock & G4V Performer
U.S. Navy veteran from Rockford, IL performing in a soulful John Lennon acoustic tradition. Longtime friend of Cheap Trick, Jeff is a full-time musician who channels classic rock and melodic storytelling through Guitars For Vets to uplift and heal fellow veterans.
Ryan Franz
USMC Infantry Veteran (0331 Machine Gunner) / Multi-Instrumentalist & Berklee Scholar
Former Marine Corps machine gunner with 12+ years of continuous recovery. A 20-year arena touring veteran (including 8 years as guitar tech for The Misfits) and Berklee College of Music Master’s scholar, Ryan brings ferocious rhythm, raw power, and profound gratitude as he steps into the festival spotlight on guitar, bass, and percussion.
Brian Maginn
U.S. Army Special Forces 18D Medic (19th SFG(A)) / Rock, Folk & Country
15-year Special Forces Green Beret medic (18D with 19th SFG(A)) from Bluffton, SC. Finding profound healing and joy through Guitars For Vets, Brian now plays three instruments and delivers a heartfelt, authentic mix of rock, folk, and country on the festival stage.
Jeff Creech
U.S. Air Force Veteran / Acoustic Country & Heartland Storyteller
U.S. Air Force veteran embodying the warrior spirit of resilience and unyielding determination. Having weathered intense personal adversity and major life upheavals over the past year, Jeff turns to his acoustic guitar as an anchor of strength and healing. Living by the creed that no matter how tough the battle, veterans "stay in it to win it," Jeff brings soulful country grit and an empowering message of perseverance to the Queenslake stage.
FORBES RILEY: THE VOICE & HEART OF THE MAINSTAGE
The Inaugural Guitars for Vets National Concert pairs world-class entertainment leadership with extraordinary heart. Fresh off being voted and formally awarded Woman of the Year 2026, celebrated media powerhouse and fitness icon Forbes Riley commands the 40'×30' Grand Lakeside Mainstage throughout the day, turning the festival into an electrifying fusion of storytelling, mentorship, veteran recovery, and high-voltage patriotism.
From guiding intimate morning acoustic sets to co-hosting the 02:00 PM Mystery Multi-Platinum Headliner and conducting the historic 20-guitar unified finale, Forbes brings her signature energy, empathy, and broadcast mastery to honor our nation's heroes.
QUEENSLAKE ESTATE HOUSES & LOCAL FARM STAYS
Artists, special guests, and attendees stay on-site in Queenslake's historic estate homes and lakeside suites, or explore over 40 curated countryside retreats in Georgetown, KY.
STADIUM SOUND & CINEMA LIGHTING POWERED BY AXXIS
AXXIS provides turn-key 40'×30' waterfront stage decking, line-array audio systems, digital multi-track mixing, and broadcast concert lighting across Queenslake.
SPONSOR THE LAKESIDE STAGE
Are you a local business or national organization looking to support military veterans? Align your brand with our Guitars For Veterans Music Festival by sponsoring stage equipment, artist travel, or audio production.
SPONSOR STAGE NOW