Home - Music Therapy of the Rockies

It’s not what you get out of the music, but what the music gets out of you.

— MACK BAILEY

Music Therapy of the Rockies addresses the needs of veterans and other at-risk populations through evidenced-based research and techniques.

Music Therapy of the Rockies is proud to announce Stories and Songs From the Farm, a collection of 12 songs written during our MTR retreats. We hope you are moved to explore with us, through a one-time, $100 donation (starting April 5th), the powerful music and the stories behind these songs. By listening to these songs, you bring these veterans’ stories to life.

Stories and Songs Digital CD package

We would also like to honor and remember Randy Frantze, one of our veterans who recently passed away. Randy was an amazing individual that captured our hearts with his sense of humor and his philosophical outlooks. His quote, “I’m going to harden my fingers (for guitar) and soften my soul” will stay with me for a very long time.

Music Therapy of the Rockies and Breedlove Guitars recently partnered to send 2 Breedlove guitars to an Air Force Company in Iraq. We recently held a virtual guitar session with Major Aaron Butler to help as a coping skill and for morale of the Company.

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Gary Lord. He attended our October music therapy retreat in Nashville. He was a very gentle giant that left an imprint on each of us. We exchanged texts on Thursday, April 30, 2020, just checking in and then on Friday, May 1, 2020 he was in a motorcycle accident. He wrote a beautiful song with Mark Elliott of a wonderful memory he had in Vietnam. Watch and listen here.

Self-confidence/Self-esteem

Mindfulness

Emotional Identification

Therapeutic Interventions

Songwriting

Repairing/Building Relationships

Normalizing Lives

Coping Skills

Reframing Experiences

1 in 3 veterans suffer from the effects of PTSD leading to a staggering 20 a day that commit suicide (US Dept of Veterans Affairs Suicide Data Report 2018). Music Therapy of the Rockies believes that number is not acceptable.

Through evidenced-based study, lives are being transformed not only for the veterans, but their families, care partners and community.

Music Therapy of the Rockies Promotional video from our Iowa Retreat at Camp Okoboji. Video by Zach Hess.

This slideshow features the song “Coming Home To War” by Kevin Martin and Mark Elliott (MTR Healing Music/Mark Elliott Music)

Photos courtesy of Marcus Serrano, Jonathan Adamson, and Lori Van Duyne

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This guy, Mack Bailey along with singer, songwriter, Nicole Serrano at his Music Therapy In The Rockies retreat ,at Amy Grants farm in Franklin,TN, helped rewire my brain as I had been suffering from 3 months of suicidal ideations everyday from 27yrs. of PTSD. All I can say is WOW! He knows his stuff. I left that retreat that weekend feeling reset and recharged. My suicidal ideations were gone. I still have my PTSD symptoms but I now have more tools (guitar) to be able to channel my feelings in a positive way thru music. I now take guitar lessons and it helps. Thank you Mack.
M.B., Army

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Did I tell you how much the weekend and you meant to me? You kickstarted my new life of loving myself. I can’t stop talking about you and the weekend.
L.P.(RET) US Air Force

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What you did by inviting me to participate was to feed my musical and therapeutic soul, when I didn't even know I was hungry.
J.R.MT-BC

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“I really cannot thank you enough for the Music Therapy of the Rockies retreat experience. It was life changing. I sing my song every single day. It represents healing and growth. I could say thank you everyday and I don’t feel like I would be expressing my gratitude sufficiently.”
B.R.(RET) Army

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The 11 veterans you had sitting before you on Saturday morning were not the same 11 people who got up on that stage last night and poured their hearts out to everyone in the room. And because of that, not just their 11 lives, but every life with whom they come in contact is forever changed.
M.E.MT-BC

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I never had the opportunity to go to school with the GI bill. It's taken almost 15 years but I finally am able to go to school — which was all I ever wanted to do. And I am alive and enjoying it because of you.
J.K.(RET) US Army

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I feel extremely honored to have my story memorialized in a song. That will certainly help heal another veteran.
SGT L.G., III(RET) Army

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“I’m going to harden my fingers and soften my soul.”
R.F., Army

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“I've still been playing almost every day. I love these guitars. Thank you so much for investing in us over here. They have made the daily grind enjoyable!”
A. B., USAF, Iraq