When John Berry launched his Songs & Stories for Kids YouTube series, he was mostly doing it as a way to share some of his stories with his first grandchild. Calling himself Papa Berr, the singer read through some of the children’s classics, including Go Dog Go, Billy Goat Gruff and more, never imagining how many children all over the country would also enjoy hearing stories as well. With more than 130,000 views to date, Songs & Stories for Kids will now reach an even bigger audience, since it has been included in programming at Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

“I am thrilled that Seacrest Studios is making Songs and Stories for Kids with Papa Berr available to the children at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital,” John said in a statement. “With the arrival of my first grandchild, I began collecting books that I would be able to share with her. When the quarantine happened, children and families were home together all day and I thought parents would enjoy a short break, and children definitely needed activities so I felt led to begin sharing my music and new books with children through Facebook Live.

“As a child I loved being read to and even as an adult, I find great enjoyment and I am able to escape the chaos of the world through audio books,” he continued. “My hope is that kids and parents can take a moment and escape with me through a song and a story.”

John just released “The Graduation Song” aimed at high school seniors who were wrapping up their senior year without the usual fanfare, due to COVID-19. John initially wrote the song more than 40 years ago, when he was graduating from high school, but it seemed especially timely now.

“It’s crazy,” John told Everything Nash. “I never imagined in a million years –– I recorded that on a record, In the Nightime, in 1981. I’ve played it live, and I’ve been invited to speak at some high school graduations and do the song and different things like that. It’s been one of those favorites of those fans that like to dive deep into the catalog and love songs. It’s like a little hidden gem.”

Songs & Stories for Kids can be found here.