I know a lot of you guys out there play at rest homes and play for the elderly. I am thinking about volenteering to play at the rest home at the hospital in town once a month. Could you give me suggustion on popular tunes that older people (80's and up) would like to hear.

Montana-

Go to my website-www.billcorfield.com and download my song list.

Many of us who do a lot of NH business typically play stuff from the Big bands through the Oldies with some country, latin, seasonal stuff thrown in as warrented.

80 year old people were born in 1927, so they were 20 during the late 40's. They were in their 30's during the 50's and so on...

I strongly advise against performing a lot of pre Big band stuff because its too old for much of your target audience.

Also, usually NH audiences are more in the 60-75 age range, because the acuity level of most 80 yr. olds prevents them from attending most activities. So, if you focus on that age group, they were 20 in 1957...So, Elvis and other oldies content is dead on...

Its fun to think of this way because it means you can safely add in newer and newer material as you go along. In about 3 years, I'll be doing a steady dose of Beatles, Stones and god knows what else, lol...

Regards-

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 01-23-2007).]

Let me point out something that some will think but might not post. And that is...

I understand having the give-something-back outlook. I have had the same. But perhaps you could find another place other than nursing homes or senior centers. Why? Because if you play for free, assuming you are good, this hurts gigging musicians. It's hard to compete with free. Nursing homes and senior centers are not exactly going broke. They can afford to pay something.

Of course, it's your business, you can and should do what you want. But consider it.

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Bill
SmallGig.com
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As a songwriter, I need feedback on songs posted! Thanks!

I agree. I started the senior home circut 4 years ago at the average going rate and raised my fee this year with no problem. Tell them it's the cost of gas and they'll understand.

As far as the type of music, stay with the songs of their time, but keep it upbeat. Polkas, some country, the stuff I call "happy music". Don't put them to sleep with "I Love You Truly" stuff. You can even give them a shot of "Play That Funky Music"... if you have fun doing it, they'll enjoy.

Glenn

I fully agree with Bill's point about not playing pre 1939 music. When I started in this business the done thing was that when playing for elderly audiences give-em plenty of the old Victorian drawing room ballads like "Come into the garden Maud" amd "Drink to me only with thine eyes".You know the sort of stuff I mean.

One day I began to realise that I was also getting older and that the people I was now playing for were no longer from pre -1914 but came, by and large, like me, from the Big Band era. Now I find that
(horror of horrors) there are some who don't like Glenn Miller. So it's a case of moving with the times , which also being an early rock'n'roller, came fairly easily.
Whilst the current crop of wrinklies don't care too much for Rap , Garage, Hip-Hop and the like they do like plenty of 70's and 80's Disco stuff. You know, when music was still largely about the tune.

Being 81 myself I may still have to do some of the'orrid stuff if I keep going much longer. to keep up with the times!!!

Trevor

Wow, Mr. Trevor, you're my hero! I hope I make it that far. And with your attitude!



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Bill
SmallGig.com
:::
As a songwriter, I need feedback on songs posted! Thanks!

Rock on, Trevor!!!

Bill I can totally see your point. When the hospital has a fund rasier they pay me to play. My county has about 6300 people and it is bigger than the state of Rhode Island. Usually if there is a decent gig around i get it. There are some beautiful retirement homes is the Billings area the the ones around here you wouldn't want to be in. It's depressing to play them. believe me I'm in it for the bucks I've worked steady since i was 16 but this place I'm playing for free and hopefully God won't let me end up there.

Montana,

This advice is from on old man that plays a lot of nursing homes, assisted living centers, and retirement communitities--Don't play for free. Those of us that perform at these places have huge sums of money invested in equipment, and the amount of time invested is beyond comprehension. When anyone plays for free they're taking money out of our pockets and food from our childrens mouths.

Keep in mind that most of these places make huge profits by warehousing the elderly. Most have entertainment budgets, and some are quite large. Anything less than $100 is working for McDonald's wages. You must take into consideration the time it takes to set up, tear down, drive to and from the job, fuel expenses, equipment cost, equipment and vehicle maintenance, insurance, and all the other expenses associated with the performance.

Now, the best tip I can give you is to NEVER play anything other than upbeat songs that they can dance to--even if everyone in the place is in a wheelchair. These folks are a short step from the cemetary and the last thing they need to hear is balads and gloom & doom songs. Keep everything upbeat, keep the place jumping and you'll have more work than you can handle.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

�The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.� (Mahatma Gandhi)

"The best way to lose your a$$ is to play for free for others who can otherwise buy Fort Knox." (SemiLiveMusic)

Sorry, I truly could not resist. Congrats on your new baby, Taike, and I actually understand and respect the Gandhi quote.



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Bill
SmallGig.com
:::
As a songwriter, I need feedback on songs posted! Thanks!

Some of the best advice Gary ever gave me. I had this preconceived notion a short time ago that the assisted living residents wanted mellow music. WRONG!! At last Saturday's assisted living gig I had a 92 year old up dancing with his walker while I played the upbeat tunes.

Last month at a corporate Christmas party there was a couple in their late 60s who sat in front of me. They acknowledged every tune I played with applause. At my break I asked if there was anything I could play for them. They both responded anything Jimmy Buffet, then said how 'bout Margaritaville ? I would have never guessed that



[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 01-24-2007).]

HEY YOUNGSTER I'll be 66 in April ( OHMYGAWD, DID I SAY THAT?!?!?) and I really enjoy playing Buffet's stuff ...
Damn snotty kids........
t.

Gary nailed it, upbeat, fun, happy music all the way. And these people love to boogie. The funiest thing I've seen was a few years ago. I was playing Old Time Rock n Roll and a guy got up and started dancing. He was wearing sunglasses and a shirt that said, "I've fallen and I can't reach my beer." That said it all. These are some of the most fun gigs I have ever played.

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Good comments gang...

I'd like to throw out that I usually do 2-3 ballads in an hour show at Nursing Homes and other places like that. I can't ever recall ballads hurting a show or anything like that.

It comes down to pacing. I'll usually start a set with a medium tempo song or two then follow it up with a faster one. Then I'll do a slow tune...and start the cycle again. Nothing written in stone here...alot of it is by feel.

This type audience does enjoy the older ballads and waltzes. It's on us as performers to read the room and control our crowds. Also, I think many of us do ourselves a dis-service by eliminating an entire style of songs. (Gary-having heard your work-I'm sure your crowds would like your slower stuff too.)

Also, in my opinion, we've been hired in the first place to stimulate these people for :45 to an hour. The faster, upbeat tunes touch them in one way...more physically, if you will. Its perfectly fine to stimulate these people emotionally as well...usually with ballads. You certainly don't want your audience weeping through your whole show, but if you can keep them engaged for the time you're with them, you're doing great.

A proper balance is required...that's all. If we keep their toes tapping, get a few of them up and dancing, have a few of them think about a loved one they've lost or something from their past that evokes a tear...we're put on a quality show and made their day better.

What other single person that they see during their entire day can have such an effect on them? Probably no one but musicians...

I have the BEST job in the world, lol...

Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 01-24-2007).]

Tony I turned 55 on Monday........you know what that means? I qualify for living in a senior/retirement community So much for being a youngster.

Happy Birthday ... you're still a kid !
t.