• Home>
• Read Reviews>
• PICKLEBERRY PIE INC.

I began performing for children in Bay Area hospitals last year through Pickleberry Pie. The first thing I realized is how "golden" Pickleberry Pie is with the staffs at the different hospitals. The nurses and other staff members see the positive effects the performers have on the children and their families and no price can be put on that. In fact, their is no price as the hospitals pay nothing for this wonderful service. As a paramedic for the past 25 years and as a children's music performer, I have never experienced the appreciation for what I do more than when performing for sick children. I can't help but choke up myself when mother's start crying out of gratitude when my band comes in and starts performing for their child. My hope is to see Pickleberry Pie expand and be able to serve every children's hospital and pediatric ward across the country.

The Hipwaders with a friend

Pickleberry Pie makes a difference to the lives of children who are sick and need a lift. I have seen smiles and yes even laughter from sick kids. What moves me the most is when they start singing. I am proud of my affliation with Pickleberry Pie.

Guitar Larry @ Georgetown Hospital

Hats off to Pickleberry Pie for their wonderful efforts in reaching out to kids in hospitals and special learning centers. Cathy & Marcy enjoyed several performances and workshops and recommend the program! www.cathymarcy.com

Cathy & Marcy with Ukuleles

Cathy & Marcy @ GRAMMY Awards

I was first introduced to Kids Public Radio several years ago as a children's artist and when I heard of the Pickleberry Pie Very Special Concerts Series (artists performing in hospitals) I was eager to get involved as I was aware of the healing effects of music on young hospital patients, their families and the hospital staff. I have been with The Very Special Concert Series in both the Bay Area and Los Angeles for over five years now and can testify firsthand to the powerful and joyful effects these "musical" visits have on the children, bringing smiles and laughter and a sense of fun and comfort to what is often for them a painful and scary situation. Kids Public Radio also brings sunshine and smiles into the lives of many families, without commericals!

As a Pickleberry Pie performer, I have found the most important thing we do is bring a little joy in the lives of very young hospital patients... and their parents. The parents are always so very grateful that an otherwise dreary day has been lit by a golden glow as their child smiles, claps, and sometimes sings along, too. During bedside visits, both the child and his or her parents gets to forget for just a little while the stress of a hospitalization as we share together the joy of music. For tiny children, I bring puppets, shakers, bells. For older children, I give a very cool instant guitar lesson. Perhaps most memorable was a recent visit to a family whose two children (ages 1 and 2) were both spending their birthday in the hospital. How wonderful that Pickleberry Pie made it possible for these children to have a special birthday concert! I hope Pickleberry Pie will be able to bring the joy of music to sick children in many, many more pediatric wards throughout the nation.