Coffey Anderson concert to honor veterans in Quincy

QUINCY — Nationally known country artist Coffey Anderson will honor veterans in Quincy and beyond with a Veterans Day concert. 

“(Anderson) is considered the most popular current country artist who’s not associated with a recording studio,” said Daniel Chism, founder of Veterans Operation Creation, which is sponsoring the concert. “He writes his own music; (he’s) a very patriotic Christian man. And he is a storyteller. So when he performs, he has meaning behind the words.” 

Anderson, a Texas native, is known for his patriotic songs, and especially songs celebrating veterans like “Mr. Red, White and Blue” and “You Can’t Spell Hero Without ‘Her,’” a tribute to women who have served their country. 

“He was approached a couple of years ago by a female combat veteran and she asked him, ‘Why aren’t there any songs about females in combat?’” Chisholm said. “So he wrote a song.” 

Coffey is known for being open and friendly with his audiences and fans, said VOC Board mMember Tom Parrish. 

“He likes to meet and get involved with the crowd,” Parrish said. “He says he gets in trouble sometimes on the red carpets because he won't stop signing autographs until it’s the last ones there.” 

Chism, a Marine Corps veteran, founded Veterans Operation Creation in 2018, he said. The organization has hosted concerts before, including a performance by Elvis impersonator Steve Segura and a revived USO show featuring music from the World War II era. The organization staged this year’s Patriot Day celebration in Quincy on Sept. 11, and a singing group from VOC participates in patriotic and veterans events in the area with patriotic songs. 

“We’ve felt that it's important that the patriotic theme be delivered … Song has a way to touch people,” said Parrish, who leads the singers. “I have noticed that when we’re singing, you can see that in the (audience’s) facial expressions.” 

The Veterans Operation Creation will perform at the Veterans Resource and Job Fair Sept. 27 at the Grant County Fairgrounds, which will feature resources from community organizations to help veterans in need. The group also maintains a community garden across the street from Quincy High School to grow free produce and herbs for anyone who wants it. QHS Future Farmers of America donated the plants, Parrish said, and whatever isn’t used goes to the Quincy Food Bank. 

“We picked and donated almost 300 pounds of tomatoes to the food bank,” Parrish said. 

Veterans Operations Creation’s activities will be funded in large part by the proceeds raised through the Veterans Day concert, Chisholm said. The Quincy High School Performing Arts Center has a capacity of 505 seats, Parrish said, and the organizers are hoping to fill all of them. The show is free to veterans and currently serving military, and tickets are $30-$50 for everyone else. Early purchase is recommended, Parrish said. 

“We're trying to make sure we fill that venue to represent ourselves and our community to Coffey as much to help us,” he said. “It goes both ways. He's a big performer; he goes nationwide. It'll be kind of cool to have him come to our town and (see) a full crowd.” 

Daniel Chism's name was spelled incorrectly in an earlier version of this story. In addition, Tom Parrish is the leader of the VOC singers, and the Veterans Resource and Job Fair will be coordinated by the Grant County Veterans Advisory Board. Those corrections have been made above.

Coffey Anderson 

Quincy High School Performing Arts Center 

403 Jackrabbit St NE 

Tuesday, Nov. 11 @ 7 p.m. 

Tickets $30-$50, available through QR code 

Veterans and serving military: free 

Info: 509-787-2140 

      

Veterans Operation Creation founder Daniel Chism, left, and board member Tom Parrish. Veterans Operation Creation hosts and participates in patriotic and veteran-oriented events in Quincy and beyond.

    The Veterans Operation Creation singers perform at a Memorial Day ceremony in Quincy.
  

    Veterans Operation Creation maintains this community garden in Quincy, growing produce for whoever needs it and donating the rest to the local food bank.