Columbia open mic night offers therapeutic outlet for vets to heal through music

Note: This story discusses self-harm. If you are at risk, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for support at 1-800-273-8255. You can also text the Suicide and Crisis Line at 988 to connect with help.

For many veterans, coming home after their time of service can often be the hardest of times, but many also find there are opportunities to find a healing voice, quite literally.

The Tilted Mule, 102 Depot St., in Columbia's Arts District has hosted a monthly "Stop 22 Veterans Open Mic Night", which is now approaching its first year. The event has been a place where vets, as well as supporters, can grab a guitar, sing a few songs and tell stories about how service life has had an impact on them.

The Stop 22 nonprofit, founded by Stephen Cochran of Murfreesboro, was started as a mission to address and prevent the average suicide rate of veterans, which is reportedly 22 per day on average, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

Former U.S. Army vet Malachias Gaskin, founder of the Columbia open-mic night, began the event in April last year. To him, it's one of many outlets he believes help benefit veterans adjusting to life, while creating a community of support that is purely organic, not to mention a lot of fun.

"All the money we raise from this goes to support local veterans in Maury County," Gaskin said. "And we've had great people come up to play every month. Like last month, we had Sal Gonzales play and he was on 'America's Got Talent,' and of course Stephen has played here with me.

"The important thing is that we are all veterans or have some ties to veterans."

Gaskin added that veterans are constantly struggling in many ways when returning back from combat life, whether they are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, finding work or shelter, which made up much of his experience.

"In 2006 I was homeless, but now I was able to purchase a farm here in Columbia," Gaskin said. "I wear six bracelets on my arm every day for friends I lost while serving. And I have dealt with suicide since I've retired from the Army, and with music and my gardening, along with my wife and my kids, it's why I'm still standing today."

Tilted Mule co-founder Kevin Pierce, a U.S. Air Force vet, said he loves the opportunity to host monthly open mics. Not only does it provide a space for veterans to gather, share stories and hear good music, but also inspire others to join in.

"It kind of started off quiet, but has definitely grown over the last year," Pierce said. "It's great hearing them tell their stories, or about why they come here. It's good for us, but great for them."

In addition to the open mic nights, Gaskin has also been a devoted supporter of vets coming home in many other ways. He is a published author of the book "Warrior's Garden," which he founded as a nonprofit in 2016 and played a big role in another Columbia project last year.

In May of 2023, Gaskin founded Columbia's own Warrior's Garden, a community garden for veterans to raise crops and cultivate produce, using their hands and working together.

After nearly one year, Gaskin says the garden has grown, quite literally, and produced many plantings that have been donated to local food pantries and other veteran-centric nonprofits and hopes to see more opportunities "crop up" in the future.

"We're closed for the winter, but so far we've donated close to 300 pounds to Harvest Share food bank, had over 25 families come out and get donated to," Gaskin said. "So, it went well for a first year."

More: Warrior's Garden for veterans takes hands-on approach to self-therapy

As a musician, Gaskin said events like the veterans' open mic are another form of therapy, much like the community garden, where soldiers can not only share their talents with an audience but provides a space to channel their experiences into art, much like cultivating a garden.

Not just for vets, but anyone offering support

The Tilted Mule's monthly open mic, while focused on veterans, is not exclusive to anyone who's suited up and sent on a mission overseas, but anyone with a love and passion for those defending the country.

Mickey Womack and Bob Virgin, known as Womack and Virgin, regularly perform at the open mic. And while not being servicemen themselves, they have a deep gratitude for anyone willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

"It's a good thing for the community," Womack said. "We weren't in the military, but our people were, all my brothers, uncles and grandfathers. We can't thank them enough."

Maury County has many organizations, nonprofits, as well as the Veterans Service Office for local soldiers, providing anything from funding, food drives, therapy and in this case, a platform to perform.

Many of Maury County's local veterans service nonprofits often preach the importance of camaraderie, togetherness and finding hobbies that can bring fellow soldiers together. It can be saddling up for a few beers at Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom during its weekly Wednesday Vet 2 Vet nights, strapping into an off-road vehicle with On Mission Motorsports or through the art of music on a night with friends and fellow supporters.

The next Veterans Open Mic event is scheduled Thursday, March 21.

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia open mic night offers therapeutic outlet for vets to heal