About the Sonny Pugar Memorial
We believe in the power of music to restore spirit, evoke healing, inspire hope, and forge community. Embracing these beliefs, we develop performance opportunities for regional musicians and spotlight their talents and contributions to the local culture.
Our Major Programs
"MUSIC SMILES"
For over ten years, Sonny Pugar played for the region's school children with Etta Cox in a Gateway to the Arts school assembly program. Etta's show for the kids was one of his favorite gigs, so it seemed fitting that when he died, The Memorial continued to focus on music for children. This was how we decided that our initial effort would be supporting the existing music therapy program at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Now as a public charity, we offer the "Music Smiles" project, which will both continue and expand those efforts with live performances that merge with music therapy programs in hospitals and other institutions.
"CODA"
Our belief that contemporary music serves the well-being of a community underlies our design of this primary source archive of Pittsburgh's established and legacy artists' personal narratives. Through personal interviews, we relate the history of regional contemporary music to southwestern Pennsylvania's modern history, demonstrating music's ties to the economic and social fiber of our region from the 1950’s to the current day and the cultural diversity of our region. To publish these interviews, we are partnering with iHeartRadio and Pittsburgh 3WS Radio personality Jonny Hartwell, who conducts and manages the interviews and airs them on the iHeartRadio app under the title “The Coda Podcast.”
"ANNUAL RHYTHMS OF LIFE CONCERT"
This event will be retiring as an annual series for the final concert in October 2024, after a 21-year run. We will be planning other shows, but during this series, it has been the major fundraising concert and supports the mission by combining on stage all-star regional established artists and emerging talent. We present these artists in a showcase that is not usually seen anywhere else in our region. With creative staging, we encourage musicians to introduce their originals to their audiences, as well as treat their fans to original interpretations of covers.
For over ten years, Sonny Pugar played for the region's school children with Etta Cox in a Gateway to the Arts school assembly program. Etta's show for the kids was one of his favorite gigs, so it seemed fitting that when he died, The Memorial continued to focus on music for children. This was how we decided that our initial effort would be supporting the existing music therapy program at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Now as a public charity, we offer the "Music Smiles" project, which will both continue and expand those efforts with live performances that merge with music therapy programs in hospitals and other institutions.
"CODA"
Our belief that contemporary music serves the well-being of a community underlies our design of this primary source archive of Pittsburgh's established and legacy artists' personal narratives. Through personal interviews, we relate the history of regional contemporary music to southwestern Pennsylvania's modern history, demonstrating music's ties to the economic and social fiber of our region from the 1950’s to the current day and the cultural diversity of our region. To publish these interviews, we are partnering with iHeartRadio and Pittsburgh 3WS Radio personality Jonny Hartwell, who conducts and manages the interviews and airs them on the iHeartRadio app under the title “The Coda Podcast.”
"ANNUAL RHYTHMS OF LIFE CONCERT"
This event will be retiring as an annual series for the final concert in October 2024, after a 21-year run. We will be planning other shows, but during this series, it has been the major fundraising concert and supports the mission by combining on stage all-star regional established artists and emerging talent. We present these artists in a showcase that is not usually seen anywhere else in our region. With creative staging, we encourage musicians to introduce their originals to their audiences, as well as treat their fans to original interpretations of covers.
Media Recognition and AwardsPrint
Music brings a smile to local patients Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Music Smiles program keeps up its spirits during pandemic Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Music Smiles: Local musicians entertain hospital patients The Times, Beaver County stream on: All-star western Pa. lineups set for benefit shows The Times, Beaver County Samantha Sears Sings Songs of Healing for Patients Explore Jefferson PA Link Samantha Sears – versatile musician… The Almanac Link 13th Annual Rhythms of Life, 12/21/16 issue date Whirl Magazine Broadcast WPXI Proud to be from Pittsburgh WPXI Link YouTube Link Virtual YouTube—Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Awards
--Special Congressional Recognition presented to Executive Director Annie Pugar for "undertaking the mission of encouragement by providing the opportunity for local artists to realize their musical accomplishments." October 12, 2011 --Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC--2015 Community Partner of the Year --Continuing Gold Seal of Transparency @GuideStarUSA --2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. ~~Platinum Seal: 2024 |
Board of DirectorsBob Banerjee, President
Jon Tryc, Vice President Jace Wingard, Treasurer Kelly Vennare Tryc, Secretary Kay Bey Evan Dean, LCSW Shelley Duff, Esq. Joey Granati Timothy Johns Dustin Lebau Byron Nash Patrick K. Nightingale, Esq. David Oleniacz Danny Rectenwald Juli Strang-Tryc Stevee Wellons Emeritus Members: Scott Anderson Sean McDowell Annie Pugar, Founder and Executive Director Ben Tryc, Music Consultant Todd DePastino, Ph.D., History Consultant |
Our History
When Southwestern Pennsylvania drummer Sonny Pugar, after whom this organization is named, died in August 2004 after a six-year battle with colon cancer, his friends in the local music community literally banded together to produce a memorial concert. The money that was raised from this memorial concert in 2004 was donated to the music therapy program at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Sonny's name. The artists who performed at this first memorial concert were the most influential and prolific contemporary musicians in Southwestern Pennsylvania. After this first concert, Sonny's friends and fellow musicians discussed the joy they all experienced in bringing the local music community together and in donating money in Sonny's honor for the music therapy program at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The desire to memorialize Sonny by furthering his love of music by supporting local contemporary musicians and sharing this local music with others in the community prompted the group to organize another concert in 2005. In 2006 and 2007, under the banner of The Sonny Pugar Memorial, Inc., Sonny's friends and family produced the memorial concert and donated the proceeds to music therapy at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The funds donated to Children's Hospital over the four years were used to provide musical performances, musical storytelling, songbooks, musical instruments, and CD's for the children. Due to the success of the memorial concerts and a desire to educate local audiences on contemporary music indigenous to or widely played in Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as provide local musicians with support to pursue their art, Sonny's family and friends made the decision to incorporate and form a non-profit in his honor. The Sonny Pugar Memorial, Inc. was incorporated in July 2006.
Today.....
As a result of the success in raising monies for Children's Hospital music therapy and the satisfaction that came with that endeavor, one of our favorite projects to support our mission remains designing live music programs to merge with music therapy programs in regional hospitals and other institutions, the "Music Smiles" program. In addition, while we widen our purpose and identity, we encourage the growth of the region's "grassroots" music. The musicians who play the music that you hear everyday, that you listen to in the clubs, those you may book for parties and weddings, all have as much need for support and development as the extraordinary artists in the classical and traditional genres, but are often overlooked in community funding. Yet these musicians are part of the weave of our region's cultural tapestry, as they have been part of all cultures throughout history.
Sonny Pugar.... One of the area's noted rock, r&b, and jazz drummers, in whose memory this non-profit organization was formed. In 2004, he died at the age of 54 after living with colon cancer for six years.
Our Mission.... Dedicates us to encouraging live regional music.
Thanks.... To all of the wonderful artists who have supported us since the beginning of our efforts. Our gratitude also extends to all who came to hear the music.
Click here for our PRIVACY POLICY
Today.....
As a result of the success in raising monies for Children's Hospital music therapy and the satisfaction that came with that endeavor, one of our favorite projects to support our mission remains designing live music programs to merge with music therapy programs in regional hospitals and other institutions, the "Music Smiles" program. In addition, while we widen our purpose and identity, we encourage the growth of the region's "grassroots" music. The musicians who play the music that you hear everyday, that you listen to in the clubs, those you may book for parties and weddings, all have as much need for support and development as the extraordinary artists in the classical and traditional genres, but are often overlooked in community funding. Yet these musicians are part of the weave of our region's cultural tapestry, as they have been part of all cultures throughout history.
Sonny Pugar.... One of the area's noted rock, r&b, and jazz drummers, in whose memory this non-profit organization was formed. In 2004, he died at the age of 54 after living with colon cancer for six years.
Our Mission.... Dedicates us to encouraging live regional music.
Thanks.... To all of the wonderful artists who have supported us since the beginning of our efforts. Our gratitude also extends to all who came to hear the music.
Click here for our PRIVACY POLICY
