On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Joseph Fidler Walsh — Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Eagles guitarist, and son of a fallen U.S. serviceman — will step onto the stage at the INTRUST Bank Arena in his hometown of Wichita, Kansas for the ninth straight year to host the VetsAid concertINTRUST Bank Arena. It’s not just another benefit show. It’s a homecoming, a protest against division, and a quiet act of love for the men and women who served — and for the families left behind.
A Father’s Legacy, a Lifelong Mission
Walsh was just 20 months old when his father, a U.S. Army soldier, died in service in 1949. He doesn’t remember him. But he’s carried the weight of that loss ever since. "I’m just Joe here, you know. That’s how Wichita is," he told KSHE95, a local radio station that’s followed his journey since the first VetsAid in 2017. There’s no pretense. No rock star ego. Just a man who’s spent nearly a decade turning grief into action.
That’s why VetsAid doesn’t operate like a national charity. It doesn’t funnel money to Washington. Instead, it sends every dollar raised — over $4 million so far — straight to regional veterans’ groups in the cities where the concerts are held: Milwaukee, Chicago, Nashville, and now back to Wichita. "It’s about local impact," Walsh explains. "A veteran in Kansas needs a ride to his VA appointment. A widow in Missouri needs groceries. That’s where the money goes. Not into a big office. Into real lives."
The Lineup: Music as a Common Language
The stage that night will be stacked with legends. Vincent Edward Gill, Country Music Hall of Famer and Walsh’s bandmate in the Eagles since 2017, will trade licks with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks of the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Ryan Michael Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen will bring gritty Americana. Nathaniel Rateliff will close with soul that shakes your ribs.
Walsh doesn’t care about genre. He cares about heart. "I want people who don’t agree to sit next to each other," he told Guitar Player. "Politics doesn’t matter. Everybody has a good time, recharges, and goes home happy. That’s a good feeling."
It’s not just about the music. It’s about the space it creates. A veteran in a wheelchair. A teenager with a veteran parent. A retired teacher who lost her husband in Iraq. All under one roof, listening to a 77-year-old rocker who still plays like he’s 25.
The Auction: A Career in Memorabilia
After the concert, the work continues. On December 16–17, 2025, The Troubadour in West Hollywood, California will host the "Life’s Been Good" auction, curated by Julien’s Auctions. More than 800 items will go under the hammer: Walsh’s 1966 Framus Strato Gold De Luxe 12-string — the one he used on "Rocky Mountain Way" — his first guitar, handwritten lyrics, stage-worn boots, and even the custom pick he used during the Eagles’ 2023 Sphere residency.
"I’m not keeping any of it," Walsh said. "These things meant something. Let someone else hold them. Let them feel the music."
What’s Next? Eagles, New Music, and More
Walsh isn’t slowing down. The Eagles will return to their Sphere residency in Las Vegas in January 2026, with shows scheduled through March. "I know we’re not done yet," he said. "There’s more gigging on the horizon."
And then there’s his solo work. According to Guitar Player, Walsh plans to release new music in 2026 — his first full solo album in over a decade. He’s been writing in hotel rooms, on tour buses, and in his studio in Arizona. "It’s about time," he laughed. "I’ve got a lot of stories left to tell."
Why This Matters
In a time when veteran support is often politicized, VetsAid stands apart. No banners. No slogans. Just music, memory, and money that goes where it’s needed most. Walsh’s father died before he could even walk. But his son, decades later, is building a legacy that lets others walk — with dignity, with care, with community.
It’s not about fame. It’s about family. And in Wichita, on that November night, thousands will feel it — not as fans, but as neighbors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money has VetsAid raised so far, and where does it go?
Since its launch in 2017, VetsAid has raised over $4 million, all directed to regional veterans’ organizations in the cities where concerts are held — not national charities. Funds support local needs like transportation to VA appointments, housing assistance, mental health counseling, and food aid for veteran families in communities like Wichita, Milwaukee, and Nashville.
Why is Wichita significant to Joe Walsh and this concert?
Wichita is Walsh’s birthplace and childhood home. He left at 15 to pursue music, but the city shaped his identity. Hosting VetsAid there for the ninth time is a full-circle moment — a tribute to his father, who died there in 1949, and a homecoming to the community that raised him. "I’m just Joe here," he says — and in Wichita, he truly is.
Who is performing at the 2025 VetsAid concert?
The 2025 lineup includes Vincent Edward Gill, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Ryan Michael Bingham with The Texas Gentlemen, Nathaniel Rateliff, and other surprise guests. All are close collaborators or friends of Walsh, drawn by the cause, not the spotlight.
How can people who can’t attend the concert still support VetsAid?
The concert will be streamed live via veeps.com, allowing global viewers to donate in real time. Additionally, the "Life’s Been Good" auction by Julien’s Auctions in December 2025 offers another avenue for contributions, with over 800 items from Walsh’s career up for bid, including his iconic 1966 Framus guitar.
What’s the connection between Joe Walsh and the Eagles’ 2026 Las Vegas residency?
Walsh has been a member of the Eagles since 1975 and remains an active touring member. The band’s 2026 residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas is part of an ongoing tour schedule. Walsh confirmed that the band plans more performances beyond the residency, signaling his continued involvement despite his solo projects and charity work.
Is VetsAid a political organization?
No. VetsAid is explicitly non-partisan. Walsh insists the concert is a space where political differences are left at the door. "People who don’t agree can sit next to each other," he says. The mission is simple: honor veterans through music and community, not policy. That’s why it’s survived nine years — because it’s about humanity, not hashtags.
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