Vertical 4 Life, based out of Dillsburg, is dedicated to preventing veteran suicide—one beat at a time. Brad Wetherbee and his team are hosting the 2nd Annual Vertical 4 Life Music Festival on May 3rd, with proceeds benefiting Cover Six Canines. The event, held at the Mechanicsburg Club Picnic Grounds, was the brainchild of Brad, who, on a whim last year, decided to create the event in support of an organization that had personally helped him.
As a veteran, Brad has faced his own struggles, admitting that the fight continues to this day. This struggle remains the driving force behind Vertical 4 Life. Brad’s journey with music began at the age of 3 when he started playing piano, later switching to guitar, which quickly became his instrument of choice. Over the years, he was worked for several local bands but lost touch with the scene in the 90s. Despite this, he remained connected to the local music world, even though the music itself had faded.
In 2017, Brad was diagnosed with a nerve disease, which eventually left him dependent on a wheelchair by 2021. It was during this challenging time that Brad found Kooper, a small puppy who would go on to change his life. Thanks to Cover Six Canines and countless hours of training, Kooper is now Brad’s psychiatric service dog. Kooper assists Brad with deep pressure therapy, detects and helps stop night tremors, aids in managing anxiety and PTSD, alerts others if Brad needs help, and even being trained to “Mush” pulling Brad in his wheelchair—though they’re still in the early stages of this process. Kooper’s unwavering devotion to Brad makes them a true team.
Cover Six Canines is on a mission to assist veterans and first responders by providing and training service dogs at no cost to the trainees. Applicants train alongside their dogs, developing a strong bond and learning to work together as a team. The dogs are trained for exceptional obedience, and can also be taught specific tasks based on the handler’s needs. Cover Six Canines helps identify suitable candidates and evaluates dogs for potential training.
Around the same time, Brad rediscovered his love for playing guitar. Encouraged by friends like Matt Jameson, Dave Gates, and AJ Cassat, Brad found peace in making music again—a vital part of his therapy. Inspired by what music had done for him, Brad created Vertical 4 Life to support veterans in any way possible, offering not just music, but a community of support. Drawing on his experience booking bands, Brad decided to organize a music festival as a way to give back to Cover Six Canines. The first festival was a success, despite rainy weather.
The 2nd Annual Vertical 4 Life Music Festival is shaping up to be another unforgettable event. Set at the beautiful Mechanicsburg Club Picnic Grounds, the venue features a large covered pavilion and stage, nestled in the hills of central PA. Gates open at 11:30 AM, and attendees can enjoy food, drink and merch from vendors including Williams Custom Catering, Kay Melts, Big Bottom Brewery, Barracks Baristas Coffee Company, and Metal AF. This year’s lineup offers a mix of music styles, showcasing both new and seasoned local talent.
FESTIVAL LINEUP:
• 12:00 PM – HAILEY NELSON LIVE: A new and upcoming artist, who has played alongside Nashville transplant Nathan Merovich and has been performing her country gospel style of Americana around the Dillsburg area.
• 1:00 PM – DAVE GATES: The recent CPMA award-winner for Best Podcast (Solo Musician Podcast), Dave will draw from his extensive catalog of over 2,000 cover songs, keeping the crowd energized with a variety of tunes. He loves taking crowd requests, so get ready for some interactive fun!
• 2:00 PM – HANK & THE BUFFALO: Brace yourself for a wild time as Hank and the Herd take the stage. With Stephen Robert and Chris Auxt leading the charge, and possibly Slade Heller on drums, you won’t want to miss the high-energy performance. Don’t forget to visit the “petting zoo” area for a photo with the Buffalo!
•3:00 PM – MATT JAMESON LIVE: As the event emcee, Matt is a big supporter of Vertical 4 Life and was instrumental in Brad’s musical resurgence. Expect a full-force performance with potential collaborations from the day’s performers.
•4:00 PM – STEEL: Get ready for a heavy-hitting rock show from this Central PA staple. Known for their hard-hitting classic metal and modern rock, STEEL never fails to deliver a high-energy head banging performance.
• 5:00 PM – SERVICE DOG DEMO: Take a moment to witness an inspiring service dog demonstration. You’ll see firsthand how well-trained dogs work alongside their handlers, showcasing the impact your donations make. Please note, while other well-trained dogs are allowed at the event, they should stay away from the service dogs.
• 5:30 PM – AJ CASSATT: AJ, on his “Me, Myself, and My Guitar” tour, brings his soulful country Americana style to the stage. With his twangy guitar and heartfelt lyrics, he’ll be a festival highlight.
• 7:00 PM – COLT WILBUR BAND: To close the festival, enjoy an amazing performance from the Colt Wilbur Band, featuring Colt on vocals and guitar, Wally Dewall on bass, and Don Carr on drums. This red dirt country soul band brings a unique blend of storytelling and rock ‘n roll energy.
The festival is a rain-or-shine event. Food and drinks will be available from vendors, but feel free to bring your own beverages (BYOB). While cash is preferred, some vendors will accept credit cards. Tickets are $15 and available only at the gate. Additionally, all Vertical 4 Life merchandise ordered on the day of the festival will include free shipping. The event takes place at 80 Glendale Dr., Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.
Brad would like to extend his thanks to his board members, Sonic Productions (for sound and lighting), and the festival sponsors: Metal AF, Barracks Baristas Coffee Co., CPMHOF, The Turn 2 Terribles, Glen Hamilton and 97.3 The River, Rachel Rocks for all her help and being awesome, and Chimps Custom Graphics for assisting in setting up Vertical 4 Life’s online presence.
Mark Your Calendars: Be sure to also check out the “Burn It Down Music Festival” on June 28th at the same venue, with proceeds benefiting Vertical 4 Life. This exciting event features 9 bands, including Coal, Almost Honest, Slick Willie, Mawcore, and Emily’s Toybox and more! with food vendors, merch booths, and plenty of headbanging!
Later this summer, head to Carlisle for the “Classic Rock Rumble” at the Carlisle Fairgrounds—an exciting combination of music and classic cars. For more information on these events, visit the Metal AF Jewelry Facebook page.
For more details on Vertical 4 Life and Cover Six Canines, check out the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1306480226727959
https://vertical4life.com/ https://coversixcanines.org/
