Grammy-nominated blues, soul, and Americana powerhouse Janiva Magness delivers a stirring rendition of Aretha Franklin's classic "Runnin' Out of Fools," released today across all streaming platforms. The single stands as a featured highlight from the upcoming Operation Mend: Hope 3 album, created to raise awareness of Operation Mend’s work providing specialized medical and psychological care to post-9/11 veterans, service members injured in the line of duty, and their caregivers, all at no cost.
Bringing her signature grit, emotional intensity, and decades of soul-blues mastery to the track, Magness infuses the 1964 standard with a raw, resonant urgency. Her commanding vocal delivery honors the song's classic roots while giving it a soulful, modernized weight—a testament to her status as a seven-time Blues Music Award winner and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year recipient. One of her two contributions to the compilation, Magness’s performance reflects the long-standing tradition of roots and rock music serving a higher purpose.
"Runnin' Out of Fools" forms an integral part of the Operation Mend: Hope 3 project, which gathers Blue Élan artists to perform a blend of reimagined classics and original material. Through her contribution to the collection, Magness continues her history of soulful storytelling while helping raise crucial awareness and support for veterans and their families.
Operation Mend is the only program in the nation dedicated to healing the visible and invisible wounds of war. Established in 2007 as a partnership among UCLA Health, the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the program began by providing reconstructive surgery for service members who had suffered severe facial injuries in the line of duty. Its work has since expanded to address a broader range of physical injuries, as well as the invisible wounds of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Today, Operation Mend takes a whole-person-centered approach, developing individualized treatment plans around each warrior’s needs and goals. Its comprehensive care includes specialized surgical and psychological treatment, coordination of care, connections to local resources and follow-up for one year after treatment. The program also recognizes the essential role of caregivers and families in the healing process.
Operation Mend covers medical and surgical costs associated with holistic care, transportation to and from its facilities, housing for patients and caregivers, and care coordination. These services help remove significant barriers that can prevent veterans and their families from accessing the care they need.
To learn more about Operation Mend or make a tax-deductible donation, click here.