Vets & Frets
Jan 30, 2026
8pm-12am
$10 (Free w/ military Id or proof of service)
https://www.ticketweb.com/event/vets-frets-tip-top-deluxe-bar-tickets/14728983?pl=tiptop
Vets & Frets is a new showcase featuring regional musicians who have served in the Armed Forces. These veterans use music to heal, and share their thoughts and feelings when it seems there's no other outlet to do so. Our mission is to bridge the gap between civilians and veterans, and end the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the veteran community. 22 veterans commit suicide every day in our nation, and it is our hope to bring that number down and help those who have sacrificed everything for our freedoms. Join us for a night of brotherhood, healing, and great music. We will also have a guitar raffle for an instrument to be raffled off at the end of 2026. Every entry to the event recieves a free entry into the raffle. Extra raffle tickets will be for sale at the event. The raffle proceeds will help Vets & Frets obtain its 501c3 status so we can better serve the community through our events. RSVP today and join us as we launch this initiative and work to help those who deserve and need it!
Featured Artists
Trae Brockett a.k.a Turtl-
Hailing from Central Illinois and residing in Greenville, Mi, this singer song writer plays a mixture of endearing originals and fan favorites!
Turtl has been singing since he could remember. Having joined the military at 16 years old, he lost his musical path for sometime until he returned to civilian life. Struggling for years to find his place in society, Turtl found himself parking cars at Summercamp Music Festival in 2010. Two years later he began to build the stages. After he began building stages he met some of the local heros who had been booked to play at the festival including Brainchild, Art of Ill Fusion, Easy Riders and more moonlighting at open mics in Peoria. Inspired by his new found friends he began to learn guitar in the spring of 2017. Turtl began to tour the nation building the industry's biggest events including Electric Forest, Lost Lands, Hulaween, Okeechobee, Sweetwater 4/20, Summercamp Music Festival, Country Concert and Thunder, and so many more. All the while he continued to hone his song writing and performances by playing shows and hosting open mics throughout central Illinois . He has been active in the veteran artist community since 2017. Helping launch the 22va nonprofit out of Peoria, Illinois, the platform has been the source of healing and community for hundreds of veteran artist. In 2021 he produced a stage and played at Grateful Bear Campout hosted at Smiling Acres Farms. It was such a success the farm and it's community invited Turtl to come be part of their annual event Smiling Acres Music Festival. Two years down the road Turtl relocated to Greenville, Michigan. An active stagehand union member he builds concerts and corporate events at Van Andel Arena, Devos Place, and more in West Michigan. He continues to support veterans by launching Vets & Frets with Jessie Lee Jones in spring of 2024. His hope is to shed light on veteran struggles with mental health, and how they use art and music to cope as well as bridge the gap between veterans and civilians.
Jessie Lee Jones-
Jesse Lee Jones is an original artist who began writing songs while serving at sea. During his 22 years on the water, he crafted a wide range of emotional, heartfelt music. Today, he hosts local events to support and promote veterans, using music as a form of therapy and healing.
James Edlund-
James Edlund is a singer-songwriter and performer from Belding, Michigan, blending red dirt country with heartfelt folk. A proud U.S. Army veteran who retired in 2013, James discovered renewed purpose and healing through music. Today, he continues to serve his community through his performances and his craftsmanship as a skilled luthier—honoring his roots, his service, and the American spirit in every note he plays.
Scott Weathers-
Scott Weathers, lead singer for Broken Tip Jar.
Music styles include covers of Country/Pop and Lite Rock with some interesting twists
on well known favorites. Along with originals.
Here is Scott’s bands facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/brokentipjar
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