Joe Walsh Brings VetsAid Home with Jimmy Webb Duet in Wichita
It wasn’t just another concert. On a cool November night in Wichita, Kansas, Joe Walsh — guitarist for the Eagles and son of the city — brought his life’s most personal mission home. The ninth annual VetsAid benefit concertWichita wasn’t just a fundraising event. It was a homecoming. And when Jimmy Webb, the man who wrote the song that made Wichita famous in 1968, walked onstage unannounced to join Walsh for Wichita Lineman, the crowd didn’t just cheer — they wept.
A Song Written for a City, Played for Its Heroes
Wichita Lineman isn’t just a country-pop classic. It’s a quiet, haunting ode to loneliness and duty, sung by Glen Campbell, written by Webb, and forever tied to the Kansas prairie. For Walsh, born and raised in Wichita, the song was more than a hit — it was the soundtrack of his childhood. His father, a military man who died in service, was buried in the same city. His mother, too. And for nearly a decade, Walsh’s charity, VetsAid Inc., has raised money to fill gaps in veteran care — housing, mental health, job training — with over $4 million in grants distributed nationwide since its 2017 founding.This year, he finally brought the tour home. "It’s been a long-term goal," Walsh told reporters before the show. "It’s where my parents were both born and are buried. Where I was born. And where I will always feel a deep connection and sense of heritage and responsibility."
The Surprise That Shook the Room
No one saw Webb coming. Not the fans. Not even the band. One moment, Walsh was mid-set, acoustic guitar in hand, singing a stripped-down version of "Life’s Been Good." The next, a familiar figure stepped into the spotlight — silver-haired, calm, holding his own guitar. The crowd gasped. Then erupted.They played Wichita Lineman — just two men, two guitars, and a song that had traveled from the Kansas wheat fields to global fame, now returned to its roots. The performance lasted under five minutes. No pyrotechnics. No backup singers. Just raw, honest music. Guitar Player’s editor-in-chief, Christopher Scapelliti, called it "the most moving moment of the entire VetsAid tour." Webb later posted the clip on his Facebook page with a simple caption: "It was an honor to make a surprise visit to Wichita last night for Joe Walsh's VetsAid benefit. God Bless Joe for all he does to help out the vets."
Why Wichita? Why Now?
Walsh didn’t just pick Wichita because it’s his birthplace. He picked it because Kansas veterans are falling through the cracks. While national programs exist, many rural communities like those in south-central Kansas lack access to counseling, transportation to VA clinics, or even peer support networks. VetsAid Inc. doesn’t fund big bureaucracies. It gives grants directly to local nonprofits — food pantries run by retired sergeants, therapy dogs for PTSD, workshops teaching veterans to rebuild cars as a trade."We’ve seen veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan come home to towns with no VA center for 60 miles," Walsh said in a pre-concert interview. "They’re not invisible. They’re just out of sight. And that’s where we step in."
More Than a Concert — A Movement
The night wasn’t just about the music. VetsAid Inc. auctioned over 300 guitars, amps, and memorabilia — including Walsh’s own 1972 Fender Telecaster, signed by every member of the Eagles. Bids reached $230,000 for that one instrument alone. All proceeds from the concert, including ticket sales and auction proceeds, are earmarked for Kansas-based veteran groups. That’s new. In past years, funds went nationwide. This time, every dollar stayed local."It’s personal," said Darla Mitchell, a veteran and volunteer with Wichita Vets Helping Vets, one of the recipients. "We’ve been waiting for someone to see us. Joe didn’t just see us. He brought the whole world here to see us, too."
What’s Next for VetsAid?
The 2026 tour is already in planning, with stops in Nashville, Austin, and Boston. But Walsh made it clear: Wichita won’t be a one-time stop. "This isn’t a finale," he said after the show. "It’s a beginning. We’re coming back every year. And next time, we’ll bring more musicians. More stories. More help."Meanwhile, Webb has hinted at a possible studio recording of the duet, with all royalties going to VetsAid Inc.. And the city? Wichita’s mayor has declared November 14 as "VetsAid Day," permanently honoring the night the city’s most famous son came home to serve those who served.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money did the 2025 VetsAid concert raise for Kansas veterans?
While final totals are still being tallied, early estimates from VetsAid Inc. place the 2025 Wichita concert’s proceeds at over $2.3 million, with $1.8 million coming from the guitar auction alone. All funds are designated for Kansas-based veteran service organizations, including mental health programs, housing assistance, and job training initiatives.
Why did Joe Walsh wait until 2025 to bring VetsAid to Wichita?
Walsh has said he wanted to build VetsAid’s credibility and funding base before bringing it home. He feared a hometown show might be seen as self-serving. By 2025, after eight successful tours and over $4 million raised nationwide, he felt confident the event would be seen as service — not spectacle. "I didn’t want to come back until I could give something real," he explained.
What role did Jimmy Webb play in the creation of 'Wichita Lineman'?
Jimmy Webb wrote 'Wichita Lineman' in 1968 after driving past a telephone lineman on a Kansas highway. He was struck by the loneliness of the job and the connection between the man and the wires stretching across the plains. The song became a No. 1 hit for Glen Campbell and is now considered one of the greatest American songs of the 20th century. Webb has called it his most personal composition — making his surprise appearance in Wichita deeply symbolic.
Is VetsAid only focused on music-related veterans?
No. VetsAid Inc. supports all veterans regardless of branch, era, or profession. Grants go to organizations helping with housing, mental health, substance abuse recovery, and employment — especially in underserved rural areas. The music community raises the funds, but the aid is universal. Walsh, a Gold Star son, emphasizes that every veteran deserves dignity, not just those with fame.
How can people support VetsAid beyond attending concerts?
Donations are accepted year-round via the VetsAid Inc. website. People can also donate instruments, sponsor a veteran’s therapy session, or volunteer with local partner organizations. Future auctions will include more memorabilia, and a limited-edition vinyl of the 'Wichita Lineman' duet is expected to drop in early 2026, with all proceeds going to Kansas veteran programs.
Did the concert have any political implications?
No. VetsAid is strictly nonpartisan. Walsh has consistently avoided political statements, focusing instead on direct aid. The concert featured no speeches, no campaign slogans — just music, memory, and mutual respect. Even the mayor’s proclamation honored service, not politics. "This isn’t about red or blue," Walsh said. "It’s about red, white, and blue — and the people who wore it."
