As I was playing my New Year set at a retirrement residence, a man came toward me from a rear entrance to the room. I smiled and said, "HI," expecting him to want to sing or ask for a song. He took his hand and covered the entire top octave of the keyboard and sternly said, "This is mine!"

Holy crap. I continued playing and tried lifting his hand from the keyboard; it was solidly there. I grabbed his wrist and got him to lift his hand off the board. He continued to stand next to me. Then he did one of those 'I'm gonna tickle the ivories' moves, played a few random keys, turned around and left.

Who would ever think some krazie guy would invade your space at a retirement home on New Year's Eve? It was certinly an event for me. Plus, it was my first time playing at this location. All in all, most of the residents didn't even realize anything happened. We all had a great time; I played extra time and even got the AD and a few residents up to dance and sing...

Happy New Year, Everyone.

Someone on staff should have intervened for you. Every now and then things like that happen.

Joe

What Joe said! It's not at all unusual.

Gary

Cass,
I cancelled two locations because of the same thing. The staff at each place were sitting on their back sides and not doing their job. I had a lady grab my laptop off my stand and it took two big guys to get it away from her. These were places where memory care folks live and they should never be allowed to approach entertainers. You have to remember - it is not the fault of the person grabbing the gear - they often don't know what they are doing. At one of the places I packed up my gear and went home because the staff seemed indifferent to the whole thing.

Deane

In her the defense, the AD was busy in the back of the room getting refreshments ready and delegating others. The music was not interrupted and it wasn't a problem I couldn't handle. I did raise my hand and make eye contact with the AD and she came running and escorted the man out of the room. Had it become more serious I definitely would have stopped the music and waited for help.

No one was hurt during the performance of the songs. I posted this mostly as a humorous anecdote, but thanks for concern and support.

God Bless all you guys who play at these places. That has to be very disturbing and I think you handle these situations very well. Best to all you performers for 2014. Lloyd

I had a lady come over while I was playing and starting to attack me physically screaming STOP THE MUSIC!!!!!!!! I kept playing with one hand and stiff armed her with the other until security dragged her off me...... different levels of NH's aren't all the same ...... depends on the department your playing for EG: Ind living, Assisted living, Health care, Alzheimer Reminiscence, Drug Rehab, etc,....all different audiences and situations for the entertainers to experience. But, a well trained attentive Prof staff can ease any disturbances if occurred.. only 50% of my jobs are in these facilities, and it's rare for any trouble while performing.... most of the time its a very gratifying gig!

I had a drunk guy playing my keyboard when I was on a break i quickly tossed him off later that night I was walking out of the resort and he was up against the wall with hand cuffs the police where taking him to jail there are a lot of idiots out there.

I just walked by and said yep this is usally how it ends.

I've been very fortunate in that I have not had a bad experience in any of the Senior facilities I've played, and they have been very gratifying ...
That had to be tough for you Cass, and for the others who have had 'testy' times ...
First it was the crowds in the bars, and now the people in NHs ?!? ...

Worst thing that happened to me, while playing in a nursing home was the time a resident asked me what ROOM I WAS IN!! Grrrrr ....