Back when I was playing morning shifts on Broadway for tips, I made myself a promise: if this music thing worked out, I’d use my voice for something that mattered. That’s how the Cooper Alan Foundation started. Every year, we throw Good Noise, a weekend-long party that supports people dealing with mental health challenges, because we believe everyone deserves to get the help they need. Everyone deserves to feel good.

I’ve dealt with anxiety for years, and getting help changed everything. When I started talking about it openly, I realized how many people struggle in silence.

This year, I’m so excited for Good Noise to benefit the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Foundation. Charlie was one of the biggest patriots country music has ever seen. He believed that veterans deserve top-notch care when they are readjusting to civilian life. Every day, approximately 18 veterans take their own lives. Our joint goal this year is to distribute our funds to mental health organizations that focus on those who made such a huge sacrifice for all of us.

When talking to David Corlew, the head of Journey Home, one thing really stuck with me: he said that since combat veterans haven’t been in the headlines as much, it’s been much harder for veteran organizations to raise money. Just because it’s not in the headlines doesn’t mean the struggles have gone away, and it certainly doesn’t change the sacrifice these men and women have made. They deserve better.

Here’s the plan: we’re throwing one hell of a weekend to help them out. Great music, a great cause, and great people. Buy a ticket, grab a friend, and have some fun knowing you’re helping veterans get the support they need. Can’t make it? You can still donate and be part of the mission.

Let’s do some good and have a blast doing it.

Cooper