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Thom Shepherd Donates a red guitar to Tucson VA Fisher House

Man playing a red acoustic guitar and people sitting and standing listening to him.
By Jaison Bloom, Public Affairs Officer

It started with the idea in 2017 that “Every Fisher House should have a guitar,” said Country music singer Thom Shepherd.

He was asked to perform his hit song “Riding with Private Malone” at the Fisher House in Hawaii. But he was without his guitar that day because he and his wife were on their way to the beach. Since then, Shepherd has made it his mission to deliver a red guitar to each Fisher House he visits. 

"Music is a special medicine," he said. “That guitar helped with my recovery.”

Shepherd was gifted a red Taylor guitar when he was going though cancer treatment, so he wanted to pay it forward and started the Red Guitar Campaign.

The campaign has donated over 28 red guitars to Fisher Houses across the United States with more scheduled to be delivered.

"We have had several Veterans family members inquire about instruments to play while they're here at the Fisher House,” said Gustavo Soto, Assistant Fisher House Manager the Tucson Fisher House.  “This will be great for them while they stay with us.” 

A special thank you to Thom Shepherd and the Red Guitar Campaign for his generous and beautiful red guitar donation.