Each year melodies float down Austin’s streets during SXSW. It’s an event that brings people together through their love of music. The same could be said for MyMusicRx’s annual hospital performances, which fill the hallways and rooms in St. David’s Children’s Hospital and Dell Children’s Medical Center with lively music medicine and fun.

Red Yarn at St. David’s

Red Yarn, a Portland-based children’s musician, visited St. David’s Children’s Hospital to provide families with an intimate musical experience. He visited children in the neonatal intensive care unit and delighted families in the pediatric playroom. The visit was covered by KEYE-TV, KXAN-TV, and Spectrum News. Thank you to Red Yarn, St. David’s Children’s Hospital, and E Christian PR for making this event possible.

Concert for Kids at Dell Children’s

Later that same day, MyMusicRx hosted the 4^th annual concert in the Healing Garden at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Four artists, Phony Ppl, Alex Di Leo, The Trouble Notes, and Red Yarn, performed for over 70 kids, families, and staff. Thanks to Epiphone, children also had the opportunity to decorate guitars in the Epiphone “Art” Guitar Craft Zone. Thank you, Dell Children’s Medical Center, Groovelabs, performing artists, and Epiphone for a musical afternoon!

Rock + Read

KUTX’s Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child and Live Mom blog teamed up for Rock + Read at The Domain, which featured authors and bands performing for families on a beautiful, sunny day.

MyMusicRx was graciously invited to host a craft tent with Bedstock pillowcase decorating and more Epiphone “Art” Guitar painting. With more than 2,000 parents and children in attendance, it was a successful day! Gratitude goes out to KUTX and Live Mom for hosting this fun event.

New Performances from SXSW

The music didn’t stop there. Thanks to SXSW, MyMusicRx also spent a day capturing exclusive musical performances from 20 national and international touring artists of all genres. These performances will stream on MyMusicRx.org, accessible directly to the hospital rooms of children and teens across the country. Performing artists included: Pavo Pavo, Tamino, Mojo Juju, Cimafunk, Yola, Mary-Elaine Jenkins, Ruby Rae, Smoke Season, I Know Leopard, Tow’rs, Jealous of the Birds, Pablo Dylan, JP Saxe, Close Talker, Yorka, Emerson Snowe, Yellow Fang, Taylor Janzen, Fernanda Takai, and Cautious Clay. A special thanks to Epiphone for providing the guitar featured in many of the performances.

The Music that Keeps on Playing in Austin

2019 at SXSW has come to an end, but the music medicine is here to stay. Volunteers regularly play music at St. David’s Children’s Hospital, having dedicated over 300 hours so far!

You can help support bedside music medicine in Austin by donating or purchasing a ticket to Austin’s first ever Live from the Heart event featuring an intimate performance from indie/folk artist Shakey Graves. A limited number of tickets sold. Purchase includes complimentary food and drinks.