OK, I know a lot you have lots experience playing at nursing homes. This will be my third time to play at this nursing home. The first time I just played instrumental standards. The second time I threw in a vocal of “My Girl” The nursing staff seemed to dig it and were up and groovin’ and I got some positive feedback. I’m thinking of doing some more rock’n roll stuff, along with the standards. Do you think “Proud Marry” (CCR) “Lets Twist Again” (Chubby Checkers)and “ All My Loving”(Beatles) are too rock ‘n roll for the 80 plus crowd? I guess these folks weren’t teens during the sixties but I think these tunes would be recognized by them.
The gig is today, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

My friend Dean Mathis and I traveled the entire state of Louisiana doing Nursing Homes for about 15 years. We billed it as Old-time Rock n' Roll and Classic Country.
We started with "One for the money, two for the show, (Blue Suede Shoes) and didn't let up much for an hour.
They love it. Keep it mostly upbeat. The residents enjoy music from their prime years, and now days that is mostly 50's, 60's and 70s.
Here's a link to our website, although it hasn't been updated in years. http://donnymason.tripod.com/

DonM

Are you kidding? They'll love it. This is no longer the "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" generation. They are long gone. Rock on!

Joe

I usually do at least a 1/3rd of the hour playing rock & roll stuff. It always goes over well. Intermix slower and different tempo material along the way. I start fast and end fast, lol...

The success of the hour I have with them usually comes down to two things. 1) An entertaining, mostly upbeat selection of songs and 2) Stimulating them through these songs, trivia, games, etc. along the way.

IMO, our job is to mainly stimulate through music. If a NH entertainer is able to get his audience physically, intellectually and emotionally involved during the performance, he's doing a good job.

Keep rockin, lol...

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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 04-27-2010).]

Keep rockin,
they are young some day and remember all that music and no mether if they 100 years old naw...

Can't go wrong with the advice above.

Gary

The quality of the music is all that matters...don't for one minute think they don't know the difference between good and bad and they desere the very best.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 04-27-2010).]

Just don't start playing any "Hip (h)Op"

I beg to differ...

Why don't they have a string quartet come in every week? How about a harpist or a strolling operatic singer. Boy, that would have them running through walls, wouldn't it? Nothing says "happy hour" like a guy and a dulcimer, lol...

Of course quality matters-you can't suck, but the style of music is very important to the event they've hired us for. Good quality OMB-ers have a broader appeal to the vast majority than those I listed above.

There is no ONE THING that only matters. Quality, professionalism, variety, and an ability to relate on a genuine level to these audiences is what, over time usually spells success.

Another word of advice I'd pass along to montunoman. Don't let your self play the same sets on any kind of a regular basis. There will always be a few "favorites or requests" that you'll wind up playing every visit, but other than that-change it up. The biggest complaint I hear in my area by far is that too many acts on the NH circuit play the same sets over & over again. One act apparently hasn't changed their program in over a year. The fresher you sound every visit, the more likely you'll get called back more.

Let us know how this is working for you. Any questions-keep asking!

Good luck!



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Bill in Dayton

The comment I hear most often from my NH residents is - "We love your music; you don't play all that old stuff all the others do."

Most of my music is post-1950 and much post-1970. They love Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and the like. I keep the tempos varied and try to stay away from too many sad songs. But they love the beat - Rockin' Robin, Runaround Sue, Great Balls of Fire, etc. In my area (Detroit) 60s and 70s Motown is a winner.