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.

RECENT NEWS

Due to the Covid-19 virus and the health and safety of our veterans, music therapists, interns, and volunteers, Music Therapy of the Rockies is hoping to hold 3-4 retreats in the fall. All guidelines will be followed regarding how many veterans participate and keeping the number of people present at a minimum. Some dates are finalized and others will be following. Thank you for your understanding and stay healthy!! Keep the music coming!!

Music Therapy of the Rockies and Breedlove Guitars recently partnered to send 2 Breedlove guitars to an Air Force Company in Iraq. We are now setting up virtual guitar lessons to help as coping skills and for morale.

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.

Song – White (Mack Bailey, Spa Creek Music ASCAP)

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

Proud to Partner With

Supporters

Robert and Lexie Potamkin

Jack and Diane Kennedy

Veterans United Foundation

Snowmass Rotary

Michael and Linda Trageser

Lampton Family Foundation

ASCAP

Slifer Smith and Frampton

Amy Grant and Vince Gill