I served in the Army's 82nd Airborne and in the Air Force. I survived being shot, relearned guitar, and I'm back fronting my band Matte Blacke (pronounced "Matt Black"). I'm sharing this because I hope it shows other veterans that coming back is possible.

Operation Encore, a nonprofit that supports veteran musicians, helped fund our new single "Born To Run," which is out now. In my early days with them, I got to play for the American Legion Auxiliary in Washington, D.C., and that meant a lot to me. Operation Encore is also sponsoring our Veterans Day show on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Fitzgerald's Live Music Venue, 437 McCarty Rd, San Antonio. Doors are at 7 p.m., and tickets are $10.

This Veterans Day, I'm grateful for the chance to keep making music and to stand with other veterans who are finding their way back too.