I think the light bulb just went on regards the Activities Directors/nursing home jungle!

I played this one place for 13 years at two areas in the building and separate AD's. Location #1 I did a show on the piano. Location #2 is a sing-a-long with accordion.

Last year a new 26 year old AD came into location #1 and decided he didn't want me performing there (not even as a volunteer!). Meantime I'm still doing 15-20 events a year for the AD in location #2.

Some days while walking through the lobby to get to location #2, there is an act setting up in location #1. I stop to watch. Worst musicians/vocalists I've ever seen, but one thing in common. They all have brand new equipment, they dress like they are professionals, and the acts are completely varied (last month a female C&W singer, who, BTW, played Patsy Cline's Crazy for almost 10 minutes), three men singing with a Karaoke machine, etc.

So, I think I have it figured out. The days of a musician sitting there playing a keyboard are just about over. This new breed of (young!) AD's want to overhaul a system that's worked for years ("good music by good musicians"). They want to be like Ed Sullivan....bring in different acts constantly no matter how bad (or even how GOOD!) they are.

I watch the audience.....same audience I played to for those 13 years. They're attentive to the performer, but not really getting into it. And everyone asks me when I'm coming back, so they still react to good music.

I have absolutely no answer to "when I'm coming back!" I can't figure out AD #1's "methods" and AD #2 told me she can't figure it out either. She simply made reference to the fact that he's too young to understand what pleasing people is all about.......as she does (she's older and been in her job a lot longer!).

Are any of you getting hit with this young and bullish Activities Director experience? I never thought I'd see the day when good music took a back seat to "visual" acts.

I'm thinking if I want to keep working the circuit, I'm going to have to re-invent myself. Maybe as a Michael Jackson impersonator.....except that I can't dance. Then again, people probably won't even notice as long as I LOOK THE PART!

Your views and experiences on this?

Anytime there is a change 'in command', there are going to be changes to what has been happening in the past - whether change is needed or not - the new person has to make his/her own statement ... it's not just ADs in NH ... it happens in country clubs, restaurants, clubs, even everyday businesses ...
I played for a couple of years at a CC once a month for the members 'cocktail night' ... it was a real nice fun, laid back gig, and based on the compliments I got, the members really enjoyed the music ... A new board gets elected and the first thing they do is discontinue 'cocktail night' because that was a successful venture tied to the previous board ...
I've not played there since and members have told me there is NOTHING going on ...

We've all experienced this at one time or another - it's nothing new. And, the AD's age probably doesn't have as much to do with anything - it's her attitude. There are lots of youngsters that sincerely believe that anyone over 35 years old is dumb as $hit. If you're over 50 and have gray or white hair, this same individual probably believes you're the reason there are problems in the world, you're draining all the government funds and should you be euthanized.

Then there are the ladder climbers, those that stand squarely upon the heads of everyone they can to reach the top of the heap. They're in every facet of business and industry. Their idea of a good time at a party is to get drunk and bitch about their job and how much they're underpaid.

In contrast, I work for several ADs that are quite young, very attentive to the residents needs and wishes. They go the extra mile to hire quality entertainers who are not only talented, but additionally dress sharp, interact with the residents, and are punctual. They hire entertainers that do the paperwork, book well in advance, and those that can be somewhat flexible when unanticipated changes in the activities schedule warrant changing the time or date of the performance, and in some rare instances, the job must be canceled.

Now, in today's economy, I've had one older account that took a hard hit financially. This cost me 15 jobs a year, including a very high paying NYE job at this retirement community. When the residents got wind of this, they had a serious talk with the AD. He called several weeks later and booked a half-dozen jobs.

I'm not sure about your part of the world, but where I live there are new assisted living and retirement communities opening nearly every month, many of which are within 10 miles or less of home. This translates to more and more opportunities to perform on a regular basis for more and more audiences. Granted, you may have lost one job, but as DNJ always says "If you can deliver the goods - you'll get the job."

The other aspect of the young AD you had to deal with is they tend not to last very long. It may just be a matter of time before someone more experienced comes along and you may be right back to working at that same facility again.

Good luck,

Gary

the key is INTERACTING with the AUDIENCE Bottom line no matter what you play sing or whatever....

Mark,
I go through the same BS in my area too. The turn over of AD's is a regular event with very few in the same job for much more than a few years at most. The new breed of AD's simply doesn't get it when you talk about what type of music the residents want and enjoy. They are completely out of touch with the generation they are serving and don't care to learn anything. Like you, I have also witnessed some of the "new" acts being hired and it does not represent what most of us would call good musicianship or showmanship.

After a good many years of playing for the "Seniors" I am about to give it back to them. The constant problem of dealing with new AD's plus the enormous increase of horrible traffic getting to and from gigs has just about done it for me. Time will tell, but I will probably try to hang on to about a dozen of my favorite places and call it a career. Hell, I have been at it for nearly 60 years - maybe it is about time to call it quits.

Deane

Here’s my take on what you talking about. My experience is fairly limited but I try to analyze this sort of thing because I hope to play full time in the future and I think nursing homes will be at least half of my work.

First, instrumental music will not get you far unless you are some sort of virtuoso that is also entertaining and fun to watch.

Like it or not, you got to dress and look like an entertainer. I often wear my work cloths (business/causal) because I don’t have time to change but I at least try to look my best and maybe put on a hat or a tie with musical notes. Yeah, I know it’s chessy, but you got to look the part. I don’t want people to think I’m just a regular working stiff (even though I am) or assume I there as a volunteer.

It’s good to see what the other acts are doing too. I see mostly Karaoke; in fact I’ve never run into another arranger keyboard player. Although I HATE karaoke, I do realize that they have a great advantage over us keyboardists. They can get up, stroll around and work a room in a way we can’t. For that reason, I now play standing up. One day I’d to add some harmonica or guitar to give me more freedom of movement.

Another thing I’ve come to realize is that I’m not just playing for elderly people. You can also include some material that the staff and family of the residents are familiar with. All age groups seem enjoy some old time rock n roll/R&B and Mowtown. It fun for everyone to see some of the staff or visiting kids get up dance.

A great tip I read here on SZ that Beaky Bird wrote was after each performance it is a nice touch to go around a great each member of the audience. Don’t under estimate the importance of building relationships and connecting with people.

Just be careful with 'greeting' members of the audience ... make sure you have the AD's ok on it ... with all the 'privacy' stuff, our dealing with residents is like walking on egg shells ...

Tony is right on the mark here. I play several extremely high end senior venues and I can not talk to the people at all except while I am playing. At other places I am also discouraged from getting to friendly with the residents - all this to protect them.

Deane

I always schmooze with the audiences, before, during and after performances. The audiences love it, especially when I know their names, the ADs love it, and the family members that are in attendance love it. I've never had a problem in any facility, upscale or otherwise. They're just people that have outlived their body parts. And guess what? With any kind of luck, you'll probably outlive most of your body parts as well.

Paul, from my perspective, the Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Senior Center, Retirement Community gigs are much more fun than night-clubs, upscale restaurants, and high-end private party jobs. And, for the most part, they pay one Hell of a lot better. No drunks to put up with, no middle-aged adolescents to put up with, no worries about equipment getting damaged, no late night drives through big cities to get home, and the audiences, for the most part, love you and your music. What more could a working musician/entertainer want? Well, yeah, a pension fund, 401-K, etc..., but you know that ain't ever gonna happen.

Gary

Gary,
There are a lot of other venues I play where the atmosphere is just as you describe. The residents great me as I arrive, discuss their week with me, ask about my family, and in general are a real hoot to be around. There are two corporations which are laying down rather strict rules regarding the safety and welfare of the residents. In my opinion it ruins things.

Deane