Hi to all of you that play arranger keyboards at Senior facilities such as retirement communities, senior centers, etc.

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere in the past - but since it just happened to me *again*, I thought i'd bring it up to see if this is common everywhere. I'm in NC, USA ... it seems TOO common that there is high turnover in Activity Directors. And, almost always, the new person has NO info about entertainers that have played at their facilities for years.

I wish I had kept a "log" of all the times this has happened (and from locals I talk with, happens to all the entertainers at these places) ... an AD leaves (takes a new job somewhere else), a new AD comes in, and the new AD has NO files given to them on entertainers.

I have a place that I've played at for ~5-6 years. I probably play 6-8 times a year at this place. I did a gig for them just ~5 weeks ago. I usually hear back from them frequently. I hadn't heard anything so I called the AD. "She is no longer here, XYZ is now the new AD". So, I speak with XYZ. I tell them who I am, and ask if they have the info on me (and other entertainers) and they say, "No, I'm looking to build up a list of entertainers". This has happened at least a dozen times, in 5-6 different places, over the last bunch of years!

You'd think the old AD would leave files/info on entertainers for the new person! So, I have to start all over - try to reach them, try to "convince" them of who I and and what I do and that the residents always have liked what I do ... send them promo info, photos, price list, arrange to meet with them to "sell" myself, etc. etc. - and "try to get in" all over again. Frustrating!!! Then, all is good for some number of years, until the AD leaves and a new one comes in!

Is this a common thing that happens to others in other parts of the US (and other countries)? Has anyone found a "solution" other than starting over with a place and a new AD?

Oh well, I guess it's part of this business!

-Jim