[Originally published for Saving Country Music]

Veterans Day is a time we should all pause and think about the services and sacrifices made by our military service men and women, and their families. It’s likely no surprise that there have been so many country musicians who are either veterans themselves, or who’ve answered the call of duty to go above and beyond to honor and assist our active duty military personnel and veterans through charity and non-profit work. 

Today, I’m recognizing 20 selected country artists who’ve answered that call, from the modern era and decades past, and the non-profit and charity organizations which they’ve supported with their time and talents. 

Editors note: This list is not intended to be a conclusive list of all country recording artists who are veterans or who’ve donated their time and talents to Veterans non-profits. It’s simply a list of 20 artists I selected through my own research, presented alphabetically.   

---

Trace Adkins – Wounded Warrior Project

Of all the country artists who’ve supported and advocated for Veteran’s causes and interests, Grand Ole Opry member Trace Adkins has paid his dues more than most, with a long standing history of supporting Veteran’s affairs organizations and serving on many USO Tours. Adkins has been the recipient of many awards for his service, including the National Defense Industrial Association’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Award (2016), the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Award (2016), the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment from the Medal of Honor Convention (2010), the DAR Medal of Honor (2010), and the USO Merit Award (2007). Adkins is also one of Wounded Warrior Project’s earliest and most dedicated celebrity spokespeople and has campaigned to raise funds for their mission since 2010. 

Adkins’ song “Still A Soldier” captures the essence of the warrior mentality, even after returning to civilian life. The music video features appearances from actual military veterans who Adkins often honors at many of his concerts and provides free admission for.

 

---

Scott “Scooter” Brown – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Country singer-songwriter Scott “Scooter” Brown of The Scooter Brown Band is not only a veteran of the Texas red dirt scene, but also a combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Brown served during major combat operations in Iraq in 2003 with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and bears the emotional scars that go along with it. It was during this time that he began writing songs and playing guitar. Just one listen to his song “If I Make It Out Alive,” written in a combat zone, is one hell of a gut punch, perfectly capturing what his mindset was in the midst of fulfilling the song’s prophecy.

Scooter has also co-founded his own veterans service non-profit organization, Base Camp 40, which arranges all-expenses-paid outdoor hunting and fishing adventures, offering combat veterans an opportunity to rediscover and reflect. 

 

---

Zach Bryan – U.S. Navy Veteran

Aside from setting the record for the largest ticketed concert in U.S. history, or climbing fences to fight country music’s biggest buffoon, or getting arrested for popping off to police about a traffic stop he wasn’t actually involved in, is it really surprising that Zach Bryan also has military service under his belt? 

Bryan’s service in the U.S. Navy began in 2013 and was basically part of his bloodline’s pre-determined family contribution to this country, having been born into a family of Sailors extending back several generations. Bryan enlisted immediately after high school and worked as an Aviation Ordnanceman with overseas deployments from Djibouti to Bahrain under his belt before his fellow Sailors encouraged him to pursue his passion and interest for being a songwriter and recording artist. 

Safe to say he’s done just that, but at the same time we all know that it’s only a matter of time before that angry little Sailor boy reemerges and decides to pick a fight with someone else who pops off in real life or on some social media feed. Hooyah, Zach Bryan. Hooyah. 

---

Craig Campbell – CreatiVets

Country recording artist Craig Campbell can be credited for donating a good amount of his time and artistic talents for the benefit of various Veterans organizations. Campbell’s collaboration with arts and music non-profit organization CreatiVets helps empower wounded veterans with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries to heal through art and music. 

In 2021, Campbell recorded a poignant song written by wounded combat veteran Seth Cole called “Rise Above,” who also appeared in the music video for the song. The song’s message encourages listeners to find their internal strength and rise above it all, which is essentially what most combat veterans seek to do with the help of organizations like CreatiVets, who funded and produced the project. 

 

---

Johnny Cash – U.S. Air Force Veteran

Johnny Cash was the man in blue before he would inevitably become the man in black. Cash served a four year tour of duty for the U.S. Air Force immediately following high school graduation from 1950-1954. His official job was serving as a transcriber of Soviet morse code transmissions at the height of the second Red Scare era of American history. 

Yet he did what most all country singers were doing in their spare time while in the barracks: writing songs. And as history has taught us, Cash would morph himself into one of American History’s greatest songwriters and country music voices post service, signing with Sun Records soon thereafter. 

However, it was his song “The Ballad Of Ira Hayes” – his musical ode to one of the most misunderstood native American flag hoisters at Iwo Jima and passed down historical prejudices towards native Americans in general – which ignited his personal war with Country Radio Programmers over their lack of support for the song, calling them out in a bold move in Billboard Magazine. God bless Johnny Cash.

 

---

Charlie Daniels – Journey Home Project & USO

If you had to put your finger on the one person in all of country music who likely has done the most for active duty military and veterans alike, the long haired country boy from Georgia, Charlie Daniels, is likely that person. 

Aside from going on a multitude of USO tours performing for troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Korea and beyond, Daniels and his Manager David Corlew together co-founded the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project. Together, they’ve raised more than $4.5 million, directing those funds to carefully vetted non-profit and charity organizations which support the return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of our military personnel back to civilian life after service. One such organization the JHP has supported is The Shepherd Center, one of the nation’s leading hospitals specializing in the treatment of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.  

Along with his wife Hazel, the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Military & Veterans Family Assistance Center at Middle Tennessee State University was created in 2015, offering veterans and their families a wide range of assistance and support services.

For his service, the Grand Ole Opry member and multiple GRAMMY/CMA/ACM Award winning singer has also been bestowed with numerous awards including the Medal for Exceptional Public Service presented by Secretary of Defense in 2007, AmVets’ Silver Helmet Award, and Cause-USA.org’s The London Award, just to name a few. 

 

---

Creed Fisher – U.S. Army Veteran

Creed Fisher is one of modern day outlaw country music’s most authentic artists, considering he has lived out and lived through most of the rough and rowdy stories he often sings of. Hailing from Odessa, Texas, Fisher served three years in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Hood in the early 90s. And although he’s never admitted to many of the details of how he allegedly managed to stay in trouble during his Army service, it doesn’t shake or deter his core authentic love and respect for the service men and women of our military, and the sacrifices which have been made by their families. 

Take for example Fisher’s self-written song “Star & Stripes” where he lays it all out there quite simply on where he stands with the meaning behind Old Glory, and the respect he has for our military veterans and their families.

 

---

Scotty Hasting – U.S. Army Veteran

Scotty Hasting may not be a household name in country music, however, he’s been paying his dues for years. Not only to country music, but to our country, too. As an Army infantry combat veteran, Hastings’ backstory of how he became a purple heart recipient from operations in Afghanistan is worth looking up. With what seems to be a bedrock foundation from where great songs can come from, Hasting’s post-service path to Nashville to become a songwriter and recording artist is both fortuitous and proves how music – to some – can be medicine. To that extent, Hasting is a supporter of the PenFed Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit which provides transitional life services for military veterans reentering civilian life. 

Hasting is also scheduled to perform on the Grand Ole Opry annual Veteran’s Day show with Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Craig Morgan, Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band, James Taylor, and EmmyLou Harris, benefiting the Gary Sinise Foundation. 

 

---

Justin Jeansonne – U.S. Marine Corps & Army Veteran

Up-and-coming country singer-songwriter Justin Jeansonne, who’s been on tour throughout 2025 with the The Red Clay Strays, is what you might call an over-achiever when it comes to his military service. After he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2014 as part of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, he moved to Nashville to pursue his passion for writing and recording songs. But after only about a year in Music City, he decided that his military service wasn’t 100% complete yet, so he then enlisted into the U.S. Army in 2015, moving to Fort Bliss to work as an Infantryman. After three years of service he then moved back to his farm outside of Mobile, Alabama in 2018 to get serious about his music career. Which brings us to the present where the 34 year old songwriter is now recording songs on LaHonda Records and is expected to release new music in 2026.

 

---

Jamey Johnson – U.S. Marine Corp Veteran

Country singer-songwriter and Grand Ole Opry member Jamey Johnson was a Mortarman in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves for eight years from 1994 – 2002. In other words, he knows exactly how to blow shit up from afar. And that’s exactly what he’s managed to do since moving from his home state of Alabama to Nashville in 2002, and blowing up to become one of the country genre’s biggest modern day musical innovators. Typically when Jamey speaks, he’s a man of a few words, which is actually not a common trait among most Marines. 

A man more of action over words, Johnson has supported numerous veterans organizations like the U.S.M.C.’s Toys For Tots program, Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, which provides medical assistance to combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and he’s performed in benefit concerts for the Gary Sinise Foundation, which provides multi-channel support to our veterans, first responders and their families. 

But even his words, especially through song, Johnson’s reverence and allegiance to those who’ve served is unwavering, with “21 Guns” and “In Color” being the musical testaments of his allegiance to our veterans.

 

---

George Jones – U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

George Jones was a lot of things to a lot of people during his life and monstrous music career. A country music legend. A crooning tear-jerker with a voice of pure gold. A hell-raising drunkard who flirted with committing gun violence against those he claimed to have loved. And, ole’ George was a U.S. Marine who served as a Rifleman from 1951-1953 before he went on to become one of the country music genre’s biggest musical innovators. A man whose golden voice is still widely regarded as the greatest country music singer of all time by fans and industry alike. And a man who may also have the crazy ole’ Jarhead in him to partially blame for all his years of shenanigans.

Nevertheless, Jones’ “50,000 Names” was his recorded memorial masterpiece to the memories of those we lost in the Vietnam War, and shows without a doubt his allegiance and respect for the sacrifices made by our military and veterans.

 

---

Toby Keith – USO

The late 90s country music giant, GRAMMY nominated singer and native Oklahoman spent a great deal of his time on USO Tours entertaining the troops. Keith consistently traveled and performed to troops in Africa, Cuba, Belgium, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Italy, Germany and numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan. The overall morale boost which USO touring artists provide via their performances to troops serving overseas – most oftentimes in combat zones – cannot be understated. For some troops, they’re life saving. 

Keith’s personal devotion to the USA and our military becomes even clearer when listening to certain songs he recorded and sung. Especially “American Soldier,” a song which celebrates the enduring spirit and oftentimes the generational passing down of service to our country. 

 

---

Kris Kristofferson – U.S. Army Veteran

Outlaw country music pioneer, songwriter and film actor Kris Kristofferson is one of the genre’s biggest badasses in more ways than one. With a family tradition built on military service, the Texas native served in the U.S Army from 1960 – 1965 in the Army’s 8th Infantry Division in West Germany, which is where he also began writing songs. But before he moved to Nashville to pursue a music career, Kristofferson became a helicopter pilot and also completed the Army’s Ranger training.  

One listen to his spoken word song “Vietnam Blues” and you may be a little conflicted over the song’s actual meaning, considering that Kristofferson’s post war stance changed drastically from the time he wrote the song in 1965. That is, after he became more familiar with the stories from other Vietnam War veterans, and the societal rejection they too often faced after returning home.

 

---

Craig Morgan – U.S. Army Veteran

Country recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan has definitely earned his stripes having served for 17 years in the U.S. Army’s 101st & 82nd Airborne Division before pursuing his career as a songwriter in Nashville. In 2023, Morgan reenlisted into the U.S. Army Reserve as a Warrant Officer, and has been a steadfast supporter of our Military personnel and Veterans for decades. 

Morgan has made more than 16 trips to perform for our troops through the USO, along with his work with Operation Finally Home, an non-profit organization who provides mortgage-free homes, home modifications and transitional housing to wounded, ill and injured military veterans, first responders and their families

For his dedication, Morgan was bestowed the USO Merit Award in 2006, and the U.S. Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in 2018, one of the highest awards the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian. 

Morgan’s song “Soldier” is a testament of his service and patriotism, having rerecorded it in 2024 with the U.S. Army Field Band’s Six String Soldiers at Blackbird Studios in Nashville. 

 

---

Willie Nelson – U.S. Air Force Veteran

Just when you think you might have known or heard everything about this living country music legend, you learn ole’ Willie also briefly served in the U.S. Air Force, joining soon after High School in 1950. However, in 1951, he was forced to take a medical discharge due to chronic back problems. 

From that point, Nelson did an about face, forward march away from the straitlaced military life and landed squarely into the circles of cowboy songwriters, becoming the iconic long haired, pot-smoking, grassroots activist songwriting genius he is today, albeit less the pot.  

Nelson’s songs often took that of a protest stance towards war and troops being deployed overseas in combat operations, and the tragic outcomes which some soldiers face post-war. His 2015 song “My Body’s Just a Suitcase for My Soul”, recorded with his son Billy, is about the struggles of a Vietnam era veteran with war and Agent Orange.

Still, Willie is as American as anything which you name that is from America, and at age 92, perhaps the last cowboy still standing from the real generation of country songwriters.

 

---

John PayCheck – U.S. Army Veteran

Country traditionalist and independent recording artist John PayCheck became motivated to join the U.S Army soon after the events of 9/11. That was after deciding to give up his Tour Manager job working for his infamous father, outlaw country music pioneer, Johnny PayCheck. 

However, unlike his Father’s service in the Navy, John’s Army career has spanned more than 20 years, where he went from enlisting into a heavy armor tank unit to being commissioned in 2007, where he began serving as a pilot in major combat operations in Afghanistan. PayCheck still serves presently as an inactive Major in the U.S. Army’s Ready Reserve after recently wrapping up his service for EUCOM in Intelligence. That likely makes him the highest ranking officer among his country music peers.

Musically, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and PayCheck has been making a name for himself in the indie country scene since 2021. He leads with a writing style and sound that is straight from the 90s and rooted in Texas Honky-Tonk country.

---

John Prine – U.S. Army Veteran

One of the greatest songwriters in the history of songwriting was also a man of service. John Prine joined the US Army in 1966 during the climatic part of the Vietnam War. Although he never set foot on a battlefield, he served most of his time in West Germany and wrote songs while in the barracks. The struggles Vietnam veterans faced when returning home from the war was the inspiration and story behind his song “Sam Stone,” about a morphine addict. The song is still a reminder today of why we need to do more for our Veterans, especially the ones returning home from combat. 

 

---

John Rich – VFW & Travis Mills Foundation

Country recording artist John Rich has also done more than his fair share of fundraising and spokesperson advocacy for military veterans, current service men/women and their families. Through his Redneck Riviera whiskey brand, Rich has contributed more than $2 million to veterans causes since its 2014 launch. His time, work and monetary donations have benefitted several national veterans non-profit organizations over the years, including extensive fundraising for Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Folds of Honor. Rich has performed in multiple benefit concerts for the Travis Mills Foundation, a national non-profit organization that supports post-9/11 recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs. 

Rich’s 2023 song “The Man” pays homage to both his grandfather who fought in WWII, and to all veterans who served in what is commonly known as The Greatest Generation. The music video was shot at VFW Post #170 with WWII veterans in Poughkeepsie, New York.

 

---

George Strait – U.S. Army Veteran

Before becoming the modern era’s reigning King of country music, George Strait had served in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman from 1971 – 1975, as part of the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii during the Vietnam era. It was during his time in the Army that Strait picked back up his love of singing and performing live, something he had been doing throughout Texas during his college years in various bands. Strait and his soldier buddies formed country bands known as Rambling Country and Santee, playing both on and off base until he was honorably discharged in 1975.

Strait has also been an ardent supporter of veterans rights over the years, namely his partnership and funding for the Military Warriors Support Foundation, a national non-profit organization which provides specialized supportive services focused on home and vehicle ownership, outdoor recreation, life skills, financial education, and leadership development for combat veterans and their families. Strait’s specific initiatives with the organization have presented approximately 120 homes to combat wounded veterans and Gold Star Families across 32 states.

---

Adam Warner – U.S. Marine Corp Veteran

Adam Warner is still making a name for himself outside of Nashville, but the independent up-and-coming country-rock recording artist from a 4th generation farm family in central Illinois, also served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004-2008 as an Admin Chief in Marine Corps Forces Central Command Forward, providing security for General “Mad Dog” Mattis for two of those years. 

Warner has also donated a good chunk of his free time and musical talents to various Veteran’s outreach non-profit organizations like Folds of Honor, the U.S.M.C.’s Toys For Tots program & Memories Of Honor. 

Songwise, Warner recorded his heartfelt and authentic version of a song which Trace Adkins also recorded, “Semper Fi.” It’s a song capable of grabbing your attention on a day like Veterans Day, especially knowing that it was sung by one Marine for all Marines.