Comments on: Modern Pied Piper Cheats Death

CBS Evening News: After Nine Heart Surgeries Washington State Man Spreads Joy Of Music To Kids

[Gocougars]

Thank you for the time and Videos or our Wonderful Andy Mackie.
Andy showed me how to use the strum sticks in music class at our public school. We love his workshops where students participate in building the strum sticks with a parent or sibling.

Andy keeps the joy of teaching and encourages others to stay Joyful.
His inspiration is his faith in God, and he sings and shares and plays always.
Just his arrival at my school at lunch drew a crowd. "Is he really a Guinness world record
holder?" they asked. For the most courteous kids who greeted Andy I had a prize.
A harmonica, of course!

Here's to many more festivals and strum stick lessons!
Here's to caring enough for people that you share music with them.
Thank you Andy!

[Slrman]

Has there ever been a better example of "pay it forward"? Even better, he is teaching others to do the same thing. People like Andy are a national treasure and his example should inspire everyone.

[rillifane]

"I can't explain the joy, Mackie says. "I don't think Bill Gates feels any richer inside than I do."

It seems to me that neither Bill Gates or anyone else is richer in what counts than this man.

[41Darlene]

I like all Steve Hartman's stories - but this one made me want to make sure to help this man and his Mission.....therefore if someone can tell me how to reach him, I would like to assist him to continue this "American helping America's Children and Elderly Music Program" because obviously God has blessed this mission and him!!! And it proves once again, America is great because of her people!!!

[blabf23]

There has not been a more positive role model for the kids on the In Jefferson county. His fund raisers allow his students to share their new found talent and have provided college scholarships. My grand-daughters all have violins that were given to them by Andy and they can now play them. He has also touched the lives of the mentally ill folks that I use to work with by giving them harmonicas and teaching them to make music. I not sure anyone in that neck of the woods can say their lives have not been touched in one way or another by this man! He IS The music in our lives...

[j_freeman]

Steve Hartman at CBS does it again:
What a heart-warming story & breath of fresh air...
acknowledging a musical genius with a soul of gold.
Long live Andy Mackie (and Steve, too).
May God continue to bless you both!

[woodstock4]

What an incredible story and an incredible man. I hope Andy teaches many, many more children. He is a breath of fresh air in a troubled world.
Maybe someone could do a short documentary on him or even a movie.

[mattsircely]

Andy's a dear friend - I'm one of his many longstanding volunteers.

csa9848 (comment #3) - go to his website: www.andymackie.org

Last week, he showed me a small guitar that he built for only $20 in materials. He's also sharing the blueprints for his homespun instruments, which are currently being built by high school shops for younger kids to play. His work demonstrates how ingenuity, dedication and a gentle spirit can overcome any obstacle. And I've personally seen countless kids gain precious confidence and a sense of self that will last a lifetime.

Thanks for covering Andy - I know of no one who deserves it more!

[honeybunkraut]

Yes you can! Go to his website... http://andymackiemusic.org/ call him at 360 316 9556 or email him at [e-mail].

He is an awesome man! My 9 yr old has learned to love music because of him!

[legacyabq]

This is awesome!!

God bless Andy Mackie!

This is what it means to LIVE!