Kelsea Ballerini is helping bring the healing power of music to Dolly Parton’s Children’s Hospital.
The Knoxville native and award-winning musician partnered with the national nonprofit Musicians on Call to personally launch the Kelsea Ballerini Musicians on Call Program at the hospital Oct. 19. The program will provide live music for children receiving care, and it’s the first to launch in the Knoxville area.
“This is so incredible, to be able to bring this program to Dolly Parton's Children's Hospital,” Ballerini said to an intimate crowd of patients, their families and hospital staff.
“I think music, it's one of those things where it just meets you where you're at. And whatever you need – smile, dance, celebrate, grieve, feel less alone – it's going
to be there for you. And I think through all the happiest and hardest moments in life, it's that best friend,” she continued.
To celebrate the program’s launch, Ballerini performed a handful of her own songs, plus “Happy Birthday to You” for a special birthday girl in the audience. Later, Ballerini visited a few patient rooms for those who were unable to attend.
The healing power of the Kelsea Ballerini Musicians On Call Program
Ballerini’s Musicians on Call support stretches back more than a decade. She’s volunteered at the bedside of hospital patients in Nashville and Phoenix and performed virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She specifically wanted to bring the program to Knoxville now. She’s been working with the program and Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital for about a year to make it happen.
“It just feels like the right thing to do at Dolly Parton Children's Hospital,” hospital spokesperson Adam Cook told Knox News. “I think it's just a unique way for us to continue to wave the flag of what Dolly has done so well as our namesake.”
On a weekly basis, local musicians and volunteers will provide music. Cook hopes the program can help turn a negative experience into a positive memory for kids.
“If (musicians) can provide that extra level of comfort and care or distraction or healing, that's what we want to do here at the Children's Hospital,” Cook said.
"The beauty is not only is it fun and entertaining, but research has shown that music actually helps people to heal,” added Musicians on Call President and CEO Pete Griffin. “It helps cancer patients with pain management. It helps lower stress levels. It helps improve people's moods and mental outlook.”
And Griffin said Ballerini was the perfect ambassador.
“I could probably count on one hand certain people that are just absolutely magical when they interact with kids and their family members where just their presence lowers the stress levels. And she just kind of gets it,” he said.
Dolly Parton was another musician who had deep compassion for children. Well before the children’s hospital was renamed for herearlier this year, Parton participated in an Musicians on Call virtual holiday event during the pandemic.
What is Musicians on Call?
For 27 years, Musicians on Call has provided music to over 1.25 million people receiving care across all 50 states through bedside and virtual performances, and songwriting and streaming programs. The nonprofit’s headquarters are in Nashville.
Musicians on Call volunteers perform for adult and pediatric patients, veterans and individuals receiving care in hospice, oncology, behavioral health and memory care facilities. The organization is the leading provider of live music in hospitals.
Its network includes volunteer guides, volunteer musicians and renowned artist supporters. Ballerini was honored with the organization’s Music Heals Golden Ukulele in 2024 for her longstanding commitment to the mission.
Kelsea Ballerini has a history of giving back to Knoxville
Ballerini – who was at Neyland Stadium to cheer on Tennessee against Alabama on Oct. 17 – has often given back to the community that helped shape her since becoming a star.
In 2025, Ballerini helped Central High School - where she attended for two years before moving to Nashville - by contributing about $10,000 toward a new school sign.
She surprised Central students and staff with free tickets to her Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center concert in 2023. And in 2017, she joined iHeartRadio and the Academy of Country Music in donating $20,000 to Central during a free concert at the school.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Kelsea Ballerini helped kids heal at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital
