Vet Jams uses country music to break silence on veteran mental health
A New Orleans band formed by two veterans performs free shows in local bars to reduce the stigma surrounding therapy and PTSD.
By Priya Marino ·
Jason Davey takes the microphone at local bars and tells the crowd that seeking therapy is acceptable. He watches patrons turn around in surprise, a reaction he describes as proof that the military community still carries a deep social stigma around mental health support. Davey is the frontman for Vet Jams, a group that pairs live country music with open dialogue about psychological well-being for veterans.
The band formed three years ago when Davey, a Marine veteran, met Chet Pierson, an Army veteran. Pierson recalled that the two were sitting together discussing mental health when Davey suggested they form a band. Pierson noted that Davey plays guitar and harmonica, leading to the immediate decision to start performing.
Davey’s path to the stage began with personal loss. He enlisted in the Marines to fulfill a promise to his older brother, who died and received a 21-gun salute. Davey served in Iraq in 2003, settled in New Orleans, and started a family. He began his own therapy journey before his wife passed away four years ago. He said that experience made him realize how many service members avoid professional help due to peer pressure and tradition.
Pierson joined the effort after serving in Desert Storm. He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 1992. He points to the statistic that approximately 22 veterans die by suicide every day, totaling 6,000 deaths per year. He stated that more veterans kill themselves than are lost in combat, a number he calls staggering.
Vet Jams maintains a rotating lineup of more than 20 veteran musicians. They perform for free in venues across the New Orleans metro area. Davey said that the shared experience creates a unique bond. He noted that he never discussed his time in Iraq with his late wife, but he feels comfortable sharing those details with a stranger sitting next to him at a bar who has served.
The group’s mission is to meet veterans where they are. Pierson believes that togetherness, music, and camaraderie save lives. The band performs without charge and aims to take the stage at Jazz Fest in the future. Further details on their upcoming events are listed at vetjams.org.
