Country music star Jake Worthington to headline Operation Cherrybend Heroes Concert

Famous for his honky-tonk style and viral country song, “It Ain’t The Whiskey,” singer-songwriter Jake Worthington will perform at Operation Cherrybend’s annual Heroes Concert on Sept. 12 at Cherrybend Pheasant Farm in Wilmington. Operation Cherrybend’s annual concert is to honor and thank our nation’s wounded combat veterans, and to spread awareness about veterans’ struggles. Tickets to the concert are on sale now. 

Worthington announced his sophomore album, “When I Write the Song,” a follow-up to his critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, will be released Sept. 12, the same day as Heroes Concert. 

The Texas-native known for his two-step anthems that are sweeping the country, has collaborated on songs with grammy-winning country star Miranda Lambert and is a sought-after duet partner in Nashville. Singing on guest spots with Brooks and Dunn, Reba McIntire and ERNEST, and has opened for Cody Johnson, Zack Top, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green and more.

For over a decade, Operation Cherrybend, a local nonprofit, has fostered camaraderie and healing at year-round networking opportunities for veterans through outdoor adventures, community engagement events and music. 

The week leading up to the Heroes Concert starring Worthington, 50 veterans from 19 states will participate in a five-day all-expense-paid retreat at Cherrybend Pheasant Farm. At the retreat, veterans will experience skydiving, fishing, dove hunting, shooting sports, horseback riding and live acoustic country music and songwriting by Nashville songwriters. 

“We believe that community support for veterans should continue long after the uniform comes off,” said Beth Ellis, Operation Cherrybend president. ”Here, on the Farm in Clinton County, our community opens its arms and hearts to helping veterans reconnect and network with other combat veterans. It is amazing to have such a supportive community.”

Operation Cherrybend’s veteran retreat and Heroes Concert are possible thanks to its volunteers and community support through donations and sponsorships. Title sponsors for this year’s concert include Air Transport Services Group, Fayette County Whitetails Unlimited, Elks 797 and Anheuser-Busch. Many local donors make this event possible.

Veterans and active military personnel are eligible for free concert tickets, while supplies last, generously donated by the Nick Erdy Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2005 to honor Lance Corporal Nicholas Erdy, a Marine from Owensville, who was killed while on a mission in Iraq. 

Parking is free and concert-goers can choose from food trucks onsite. There will be a silent and live auction at the concert to support Operation Cherrybend and veteran outreach. General Admission and free veteran tickets are available on the ticket link at operationcherrybend.org. Gates open at 5:15 p.m. 

Operation Cherrybend began with a group of farmers, volunteers, veterans and musicians organizing an event to help combat veterans suffering from PTSD and thoughts of suicide. It started as an annual community event in 2015 benefiting various veteran non-profits and grew to become its own 501(c)3 in 2018. Now, Operation Cherrybend creates year-round networking opportunities for veterans through outdoor adventures, community engagement events and music. Learn more at https://www.operationcherrybend.org/.