Posted this in 'The Bar' by accident....old age.

You guys that know the circuit, are there any younger (under 50yrs) guys (or gals) that regularly play the NH circuit? Do younger players have a problem relating to the elderly or perhaps relating to the music they want to hear? From my observations, there seems to be a thin line between entertaining in a nursing Home and living in one. What is the earliest, age wise, that some of you started to play this venue? Zuki seems to be the only reasonably young (I'm being kind, Zuki ) guy doing this (successfully) on a regular basis. As my mentor, DNJ, would say, 'curious minds want to know'.

chas

I've never seen any young people perform in nursing homes, other than in church groups.
I was in my early 50's when I started doing it. Haven't played one in years though. I never saw anyone younger that I was doing it.

My wife and I started gigging in 2003 for a 50th wedding anniversary party. I was 29 and she was 25. We are now 44 and 40 and mostly play 50 plus clubs, weddings, and church events. But we also do retirement communities and NH gigs. We are old souls and enjoy the music that some of them love too!

I do play in nursing homes and other senior venues regularly. I’m just a year under your cut off age though. Actually it’s pretty easy to relate and choose songs. I just pick stuff that my parents listen to which is some my favorite music anyways.

I was 42 when I began performing the NH circuit. I was the youngest guy in a 5 piece country band that I worked with, and at the time I began in the NH circuit I played a 12 string guitar and sang, mostly country. The audiences and ADs loved it and I guess it was because the songs I performed were mostly good, old country tunes that everyone knew. Additionally, I interacted with the audiences, which was something the other performers did not do at the time. After a few years I stopped playing with the band and never looked back. It only took a few months to become a full time career.

Gary

Wow! Thanks for the generous comment Chas, but I'm pushing 68 this year. Of course, I feel very capable still and try to keep in shape.

Jim, keep performing as long as you can physically do so. I would still be performing today if my body hadn't gave out at age 75. However, I'm still sailing and intend to keep doing that until all the body parts give out. Then some medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine will get to look at the inside of an old fart and learn human anatomy.

Good luck,

Gary

It is what is in your heart when you deal with older people. They are easiest group of people to play for if you treat them with respect. I player my first Sr. job when I was 38 years old; it was like dealing with my aunts and uncles. I loved it. A man with an out-of-tune trumpet sat in for two songs and I had the crowd give him one big applause. I have a heart for the older people.

My first Sr. steady was in Morse nursing home. It was laughs, Disco and Glenn Miller. Started with 36 people – one year later we moved into the main auditorium with 150 people. Now here I am – one of them.

This year I fired three doctors because they treated me with no sensitivity. I feel when you reach a senior age you deserve respect and sensitivity, they have paid the price and many are hurting.

OK, I am on the soap box again.
It is not about age but what is in your heart.
John C.

Wow! I wouldn't have guessed it, based on the video I remember, your forum photo, and your general 'projection'. I guess 'staying young' is one of the gifts music gives you....as long as you stay away from 'cigareeets and whisky, and wild, wild women' .

chas

Hi ... Although I played at NH/RH's occasionally (as a volunteer) while in my 20s, 30s, I didn't start really approaching the NH/RH circuit until I was in my late 30s or so. It wasn't (and still isn't) my primary "gig", but I happened to have had lots exposure to "older music" via my organ teacher when I was a kid, so I knew lots of music the seniors knew and liked.

NH/RH type venues are maybe 50-60% of my gigs now, the other 40-50% being a variety of other venues and event types. I still have my band, but do most Senior type places either solo or duo, using Styles etc. I do a good number of non-Senior gigs where I do the same thing (use Styles) but the music variety covers a wider era (more rock, pop, more current Broadway, etc.)

Maybe since I've done Senior gigs for ~20 years now (I'm 59), I feel comfortable round the "old folks" no problem - and as I get older, yes, the "gap" is narrowing between my age and theirs! :-)

Jim