Music reaches places words can’t. For Lebanon veteran Jason Golden, healing began with Songs For Heroes, a Nashville nonprofit that pairs veterans and first responders with professional songwriters to turn real experiences into original songs.
Jason’s Song
Jason couldn’t attend the annual event in person, so the team met with him over Zoom. They spoke briefly about his time in the service, then focused on Tanker, the loyal dog he’d said goodbye to the Saturday before August 1. Tanker was his steady companion after he came home. Through years of hard days and quiet nights, that dog kept him grounded.
Working with Jimmy Nash, Julia Hatfield, and Zach Henard, Jason helped write “The Goodest Boy You Know,” produced by Jimmy Nash. He shared lines he’d already written and ideas for a melody. The writers ran with it and shaped a tribute to a dog who helped bring him home.
“I had limited interactions with my family by my own design. I had friends, but rarely invited anyone over because I didn’t want them to see how down I was. But I always had my guy.”
What Songs For Heroes Does
Songs For Heroes provides free music therapy for veterans and first responders. Each participant is paired with Nashville songwriters to tell their story through music. Sessions end with a professional studio experience where the song is recorded, mixed, and mastered with an engineer and a band. Along the way, participants connect with others who understand what they’re facing.
Why It Matters
“It was a little difficult getting up there and facing my demons again, but getting the word out about what Songs For Heroes is doing is very important. I got a lot off my chest and I don’t have to hate myself anymore.” — Veteran Fred Hudgens, April 2024
Stories like Jason’s and Fred’s show how music can lift heavy memories and turn them into hope. A single song can help someone feel seen, heard, and ready for the next step.
To Hear Jason's Song, Click Link Below
The November 8, 2025 Nashville Concert
The most recent public concert took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the American Legion Post 82 in Nashville. The evening debuted songs written during the week and featured live music, a raffle, an online auction, and a cash bar. Admission was free for veterans, active duty personnel, and first responders with RSVP.
Learn More
To explore upcoming events, apply for a session, or support the mission, visit songsforheroes.org and follow their social media pages for updates.
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