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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | You all will probably start to be annoyed with me because I’ll bring this topic up at least twice each year. To me it’s just that important!
I know there are many Members here who play in public, but many more who only play in their own home. To all of you, my suggestion is this:
Contact the Activities Director at a local Convalescent Home and offer to play (for free) for the Residents. Put together a program for them. It can be as simple as a single guitarist playing or as involved as a multi-member group playing/singing with a PA system, etc.
I’m the director for my Church’s Elder Care Music Ministry and we play the Rest Home gig each month and it is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.
Our group is rather eclectic: 4 or 5 guitars, 1 mandolin, 1 bass, keyboard, banjo, French Horn, kazzoos, tambourine and singers! We even have a 10 minute “sermonette”! We play many of the old favorite Hymns and our program lasts about 1 hour. When finished, we go into the hallways/rooms and play for those who are bedridden and couldn’t make it over to the program.
The joy on the faces of these dear folks is indescribable! The blessing is enormous!
Please, consider something like this in your area. Either do it alone, or find some friends and make it big! It will be the best gig you could ever imagine!
When I look out at their faces when we are “in full flight” playing a song and I know that they have forgotten their condition and where they are, even for a moment, my heart soars!
Try it! You’ll like it!
Beats an "Open Mic" night any time! |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Very true Tim, thanks for the reality check. I really need to get one of those jiffy pop hats though. It really adds to the total presentation. |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | was just there this past weekend. my daughters are the hit when they share their duets. our family is doing this at least the first saturday of every month for about 2 hours sometimes more often. it's an indescribable joy. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Three of my friends and I go once a month to a retirement home; the original ministry team started going there over 17 years ago. I've been strumming along now for these last two, and it is one of the neatest things I have ever done. The sisters there alway pick "Amazing Grace" and "In the Garden" to sing, and it is a sweet time. And I always come away blessed beyond measure.
Thanks, Tim, for the reminder; if what goes around comes around, I hope someone will think of me when I'm the one of the people who gets visited.
--Karen |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 43
| I go at least once a week to assisted living facilities. We have a lot of them in Raleigh. We have two groups from church (soon to be three) that participate in this outreach program. I lead group 2. We perform worship music for about an hour and the audiences always want more. It's a lot of fun and I've often turned teary eyed when the people thank us. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ..remember that it won't be too much longer that the "Oldies" being played in the Rest Homes will be "Stairway To Heaven" and "Smoke On The Water"! |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | Originally posted by Tim in Yucaipa:
..remember that it won't be too much longer that the "Oldies" being played in the Rest Homes will be "Stairway To Heaven" and "Smoke On The Water"! ...and no one will remember that these songs were not originally played on a banjo. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...ahhhhhh! Banjo POWER CHORDS !!!!! |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Tim,
Thanks for the reminder. I do two a month and need to add a couple more.
Jim, No one can top the jiffy pop hat. But this is a close second. My grandson playing one of my guitars and wearing a hat my neighbor gave me for watching his house while he was on vacation.
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Tim,
Here's a shirt my grandson saw in Gatlinburg.
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...come to think of it, Le Chapeau du Pop Jiffie does have a certain panache!
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Oui!! |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Whee!! |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | pewww wheee! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...I got wind of it. |
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