KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Patients at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital will now experience the healing benefits of live music thanks to a new partnership with the national nonprofit organization Musicians On Call.
Hospital leaders officially announced the program Tuesday alongside Knoxville native and country music star Kelsea Ballerini, whose efforts helped bring the initiative to East Tennessee.
The partnership will connect patients, families and caregivers with live performances from musicians across Tennessee and beyond, providing comfort and encouragement during hospital stays.
Music as a Healing Tool
Adam Cook, Chief Development and Public Affairs Officer at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, said music can offer more than entertainment for children facing medical challenges.
“Music is special. It’s a healing opportunity. It’s a distraction opportunity. It’s a way to forget that you’re in a hospital and you can just enjoy sweet music,” Cook said. “And the musicians that bring that music and do it live, just add an extra element of love.”
Cook said the program will operate through the hospital’s Child Life Department, which focuses on helping children maintain a sense of normalcy while receiving care. The live music visits will complement the hospital’s existing art therapy and music therapy programs.
“At Dolly Children’s, we’re about world-class care wrapped in love and compassion,” Cook said. “That’s what today is all about.”
Ballerini’s Push Brought the Program to Knoxville
According to Musicians On Call President and CEO Pete Griffin, Ballerini played a key role in making the partnership a reality.
Griffin said that about a year ago, Ballerini asked whether Musicians On Call had an existing program in Knoxville. When told there wasn’t one, she encouraged the organization to establish a presence in her hometown.
“Kelsea was very adamant about wanting to have a program in her community, about wanting to support kids,” Griffin said. “As an organization that’s headquartered here in Tennessee, we certainly wanted to have a presence at such a world-class hospital.”
Founded in 1999, Musicians On Call brings live music directly to hospital patients around the country. The nonprofit has performed for nearly 1.3 million patients, family members and caregivers nationwide through bedside performances and virtual programs.
Creating Moments of Joy
Hospital officials and Musicians On Call leaders say research has shown music can help reduce stress, improve mood and assist with pain management. But just as importantly, they say it creates moments of normalcy for children and families facing difficult medical situations.
“Whether you’re a patient or a family member, it’s going to be one of the worst times in your life when you’ve got to be here,” Griffin said. “Even for a few minutes, maybe people aren’t patients anymore, but they’re just a kid, or they’re just sitting there as a family enjoying music, and you kind of forget where you’re at for a minute.”
Griffin said some of the most meaningful feedback comes from parents who say they have not seen their child smile in days or even weeks until a musician visits their room.
Musicians On Call is now recruiting local musicians and volunteers to support the Knoxville program and help ensure live music continues reaching young patients for years to come.
