ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: The Harmonica Man Gives Up Meds for a New Lease on Life

Since too much of the news these days is negative, we decided to start spreading good news. If you have positive, good news to share, let us know.

After nine heart surgeries, “Harmonica Man” Andy Mackie, age 70, stopped his prescriptions and used the money to spread joy and music to kids. And despite all medical theory and reason, he’s still alive and spreading music today.

He lives in a camper in Washington state, even though technically, medically, he should have died years ago.

“I’m still living today because of the kids and the music. I guess they don’t need a harmonica player in heaven just yet.”

The side effects of the 15 different prescription drugs he was taking made life miserable. So, one day, he stopped taking all of them and decided to spend the rest of his days doing something he’d always wanted to do. Using the money he would’ve spent on prescriptions to give away 300 harmonicas to a local school, and began giving music lessons. And when he didn’t die the next month, he bought a few hundred more. It is now 11 years and 1300 harmonicas later.

Besides traveling to schools, Andy gives the gift of music wherever he may be. “I’ll see a woman on the street and just give her one. I tell them that music is a gift. If you give it away, you get to keep it forever.”