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#196269 - 07/10/05 07:31 PM
Re: Need advice from pros who are gigging
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/01/02
Posts: 1790
Loc: Medina, OH, USA
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Stephen,
Much good advice has already been given, especially regarding audience interaction. An activity director once told me she has seen many entertainers who either have good musical talent *OR* have good audience interaction, but very few who provide both. And that, IMO, is the key to being successful, you have to give them... BOTH.
Do a reality check. You can obtain an activity schedule from any senior home, check out the entertainment listings and go and observe. After doing a fair amount of "checking out the competetion", give yourself an honest rating. If you don't stack up at least average, go home and practice, practice, and practice some more.
When you're performing, have fun doing it and show your enthusiasm... that's contagious. Memorize your lyrics (you are gonna start singing, right?) so you can make eye contact and do a little shmoozing, or soft-key "flirting".
One more thing... song selection is very important, especially for a first time performance - it's your only chance to make a first impression - and you have to impress the both residents and the staff. When observing other performers, take note as to which songs are well received. Most songs should be upbeat or what I call "fun-time" music, with your closing selection being a barn-burner that'll leave them humming the tune and/or wanting more.
Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.
Glenn
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#196271 - 07/11/05 06:02 AM
Re: Need advice from pros who are gigging
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Senior Member
Registered: 08/23/04
Posts: 2202
Loc: Dayton, OH USA
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Stephen-
I perform regularly at nursing homes & retirement communites in the Dayton, OH metro area. I average over 250 shows per year at these type places...I also perform in clubs on most weekends...Right now, I have 367 shows on my books for this year. This is what works for me...
First of all, Glenn said a mouthful with:
"Much good advice has already been given, especially regarding audience interaction. An activity director once told me she has seen many entertainers who either have good musical talent *OR* have good audience interaction, but very few who provide both. And that, IMO, is the key to being successful, you have to give them... BOTH."
I hear the exact same thing...
As a nursing home entertainer-I am hired to be the familiar face that comes in every other month or so...is friendly and respectful of the residents, plays good quality music and makes the hour I have them with me the fastest hour of their day. I try and set a relaxed, casual, interactive tone with most of my audiences. In between songs I may play short games with them...(Name this tune, Big Band Leader name trivia (I give them the first name-they tell me the last name. ie: "If I say Les...you say?" "BROWN" ...)Sometimes stories about my kids...(I have 3 girls they most places have seen me bring along through the years...)Bottom line is find an area where you're comfortable "smoozing" them and stay there. Too often I've had Activity Directors complain to me about other entertainers doing things they weren't hired to do in the first place. I learn names...I ask specific questions when possible. As others have commented...the "feel" you establish is really important. Warm, comfortable, upbeat, sincere all are good goals to strive for.
Pacing is also important-Keep the songs coming...don't fall into the trap of playing the same old stuff many nursing home entertainers play. The average ages of most nursing homes is between 60 and 80. Ask yourself what music where these people likely listening to in their 20's? Well, If we use 70 as a age to work from...It lands you in the late 50's and early 60's. THAT'S where at least half of your program should come from. Fill out the rest of your time with Big band tunes, some country, polkas, etc. Upbeat is critical. Ballads are great 2-3 times during an hour...but IMO, that's it.
As far as the singing goes...IMO, it makes it more difficult for you, no question. BUT adding a 2nd person isn't a cure-all. This will effect your cost to the facility...your personal take home pay, etc. Most homes will not book anyone over $100.00 a show except for special occasions. $100 can't pay 2 people a reasonable wage unless the money doesn't matter to you. Therein lies the problem...
Personally, after writing this...I amost think you shouldn't try & do nursing home as your main places to play. Why not target venues like a restaurant perhaps where vocals aren't such an issue. To me...no vocals mean background music...which might explain why your act isn't "clicking" at nursing homes.
Do what you do best. If you're not a singer, then don't sing. Rethink some marketing strategies and see if you can't find venues that better fit your skills...
Finally. as Spaulding commented...work on your timing...I might consider re-recording your demo for your website. IMO, the feel on that isn't happening and I hear some timing or at the very least phrasing issues going on.
Good luck...
Bill in Dayton
[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 07-11-2005).]
_________________________
Bill in Dayton
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#196274 - 07/11/05 03:14 PM
Re: Need advice from pros who are gigging
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Senior Member
Registered: 08/23/04
Posts: 2202
Loc: Dayton, OH USA
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Glenn-
I've heard stories about some guys in the Tri-State area who get booked on the premise of providing musical entertainment who once they start...
*Then spend half the time trying to tell jokes....(A couple throughout the hour is plenty, usually...these acts are often short on material.)
*Allow the hour with the residents assembled to become almost a "private show" for 1-2 residents...(As you know, some residents will try and "dominate" the program with their requests...we're there for all of them...)
*Play a few songs then say the magic words, "So...how many of you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"
(...Want to get fired quick? Book yourself as a secular, non-religious style performer then try & sneek something like that in. That is probably the number #1 beef I hear from AD's around here. )
...What some performer's fail to realize is that Activity Director's try to program each month for the entire resident population. THEY ALREADY HAVE OTHERS COMING IN TO DO THE RELIGIOUS STUFF!!! They usually get droves of free, faith based entertaiment and if you start preaching in the middle of the "Friday Happy Hour" it's not going to work out very well...
Lastly...For God's sake...stay OUT of the resident's room unless you're escorted there by a staff member who stays with you while you're there. Earlier this year, a popular NH entertainer got booted from a great account because he was found in a resident's room, with the door closed. I've been invited into several residents rooms-and 95% of the time I won't even consider it. The usual exceptions are when a regular is too ill to attend the activity and I'm asked to stop by her (or his) room to say hi. Maybe sing a song or something...Those are usually sad moments for me because I understand this person I've entertained for a few years, laughed with, etc... is about to pass on. Its part of the business, of course...and I consider it kind of an honor to be asked to do such things...
*Also, don't accept anything of consequence from the residents. This includes cash, checks, offers of sex, trinkets, cars, clothes, food, medicine, etc. If they do offer you something like cash...politely refuse...if they don't get it, then nicely accept it...and the second they are out of your site, walk immediately to the AD and tell her who gave this to you and that you think it should get returned to them ASAP.
I'll bet you have a few stories like this, eh Glenn?
Bill in Dayton
_________________________
Bill in Dayton
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