I usually open with
Carolina In The Morning & Shanty Town..

Lets me check room sound levels and puts smiles on peoples faces as they sing along.

I usually open with a patriotic song like God Bless America,Tie A Yellow Ribbon, or My Land Is Your Land, as well as service songs. It varies on the occasion and venue.

It is always snappy.

How Can I Get Over You til You Get Out From Under Him . . .

There was a time when I played the same opener - the same one DonM used to play, Swingin Doors A Jukebox And A Barstool, but those days are long gone. Now, I look at the crowd, make an assessment, and go to work. Rarely play the same opener twice in a month. However, I always play the same closer - Show Me The Way To Go Home. Everyone knows it, I use an upbeat Jive style, and more often than not, they're still singing the song when I'm packing up to leave the building. Gotta keep em smiling!

Gary

Really depends on the vibe I pick up in the room, any circumstances that may come to my attention, is it a holiday, etc?

I'm in a the same boat as Gary, more or less...

Quick story:

Played a client a few weeks ago, where I play about 18 times a year. This is a younger audience, they really love 70's stuff. "Linda" was fighting poor health on multiple fronts and she hadn't made it to the performance for a month or two.

As I was about to start, I asked, "Where's Linda?"

The answer came back from the group. "Oh, she passed a couple weeks ago..."

You do what we do and hearing of someone's passing becomes a regular occurrence. Usually, I move right along without missing a beat. For whatever reason, hearing of her death caused me to just take a moment and reflect. Spontaneous, heartfelt, genuine. This group and I are very close, and they knew immediately this had touched a nerve.

After about ten seconds, I let out a big sigh that everyone heard. I told a story of how Linda always came down to the shows, always asked for a hug afterwards, always treated me like gold. I said "Linda only ever had one request. Tonight, we'll start with it in her memory. Cool?"

"Yes, yes...do it, Bill..."

I then played an acoustic version with piano and some light background strings of Elton John's "Your Song." It was pretty cool...

We then went immediately into Everyday People by Sly & the Family Stone and the party was on.

Sigh...

Best. Job. Ever.

Bill would love to hear you do "Everyday People" by Sly..especially on a Arranger KB..

I have a recording (albeit a rough one, lol) from this same account.

Crossroads Gig Crossroads

Everyday is a 5th tune, I think....

Bill nice job....enjoyed listening the only thing which is a pet peeve of mine is the "long time in between your songs" I usually have 0 to 5 seconds tops,.......
this is to keep people on the dance floor and keep the energy & program moving at a steady pace throughout the set.
thanx for sharing.

Thanks Don, Keep in mind this is a nursing home, not a "dance" per se. The pacing I use at NH's is different than what I use for my dance gigs...

Ah ok without video it sounded like a dance setting.....
I stand corrected..that explains it carry on!

When we had the band in NY our theme song was "Where or When" which I had picked (I did most of the song selections for the group) the lyrics just seemed to fit ... nowadays, it depends on the venue: restaurant/Country Club I will most often start with bossas and my go to tune is "Blue Bossa" ...
For Assisted Living/NH gigs, I set up a playlist, usually centered on some theme, and pick from there ...
Summer/outdoor gig, it is definitely something to get their attention ...

For boring jobs, it's the theme from Mash (you know....).

For one that feel right, it's an instrumental version of something like "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday".

Russ

At the nursing homes, I like to start with something fun, up beat
and that everybody hopefully knows and loves. Something like Blue Suede Shoes, In The Mood, Rock Around The Clock...

However today, I started with Stardust. There is a very sweet 96 year old lady that just loves that song and always gives me a big so I always put in on my list when I see her.

For Latin jobs, we like to start with a bolero or bossa nova. something like Sabor a mi, or Girl from Ipanmea. However if it's a crowd that looks like the are ready to party, we go right to the Cumbias, Salsa, Merengue, Norteñas/Tejano (Mexican style polkas)

When I was a kid in my teens with my rock band on stage we always opened with "HELLO I LOVE YOU" By the Doors....
& at the end if you know the song we would scream out to the audience "HELLO"........they would answer back the same "HELLO"
and do this 4,5,6 times the crowds loved it !!

I always start with a Bosanova. That way if I don't sound good, I can blame it on the bosanova.

I usually go between On the Road Again, Just in Time, or Sunny Side of the Street. Fly me to the Moon sneaks in sometimes.

Joe

Bill,

Nice performance at the Crossroads Gig.

Good mix of tunes, very upbeat, good interaction with the crowd.

Jerryghr

I usually start the 1st set with Bandstand Boogie. An upbeat tune that the crowd grew up with watching American Bandstand.

This gives the female vocalist a chance to walk around and check the sound levels and give me feedback on the sound level.

I may do a couple of instrumentals to warm up, and get the dancing started.

I then bring up the female singer for introductions and our theme song "Just the Two of Us" which is also the name of our duo.

Regards,

Jerryghr

Here is a quick recording of the opening song, before tearing down for tonight's gig.

https://app.box.com/s/37w3cjjbd14kmq32lsft

Regards,

Jerry

Jerry, love the jump-jive style, and you did a great job with it.

Gary

Opening songs vary, always up tempo. I most often use;
NH’s – WHEN YOU’RE SMILIN/SHIEK OF ARABY ala Prima, or IT’S NOT UNUSUAL, Tom Jones, or SO WHAT’S NEW
SENIOR OLDIES AND R&B performances – BE MY GUEST, Fats
ITALIAN FESTAS – a TARANTELLA with HEY CUMPARI medley
Then according to the theme, Irish, Oktoberfest etc.
Ciao,
Jerry

The opening song is the only chance you get to make a
FIRST Impression on the audience,....they will make their opinion about you in a few minutes after you start..make it count 100%

Thanks Gary.
Appreciate the comments.

The style is ModBigBandShfl on the T3.

This song usually gets there attention,and gets the dancers on the floor.

Regards,

Jerryghr

I was told when I was very young that the only thing the audience remembers is the first and last song. And the first song should start with a bang.

For some time now when I play solo I've been using Things Ain't What They Used To Be by Ellington. I use the horn sections and different instruments soloing used in a big band to get things rolling, check my sound and let the audience know what is possible on an arranger keyboard before I start any of the other genres of music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyIVFPxzO5g

Also, when playing in a duo we've been using a take off of Pinetop Boogie where we jam on that a bit and get to hear a bunch of different horn section and solo instruments to set the tone.

The idea behind opening with these songs is to get everybody's adrenaline flowing and to set the mood for the rest of the performance.

ScottL

Well, depends on the gig, is not the same for me to start playing a song in a Casino than in a Senior Dance, or in an Assisted living place....I observe the general age group, also the ethnic mix.....that gives me a clue what should song style I should play. The "New" seniors, Baby Boomers like more oldies, 60's some 50's and also some 70's, very different than older Seniors.

Also, here in the Phoenix, AZ area, there are places on the East side that like more Polkas, Old time Waltzes, and on the West side, they prefer some Rock & Roll, Night club 2 step, as well even further West, they like Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, etc...seems like certain areas have the tendency for certain music type too.

In some local Casinos, at least on the Arizona area, there are lots of Latinos(50/50), so, I have to "shuffle" the repertoire, that is very different than lets say a Senior dance, witch in some have a "Board", with categories like Foxtrot, Waltz, Latin set, Swing, West Coast Swing, etc...you play what you want as long is from that category. Senior dancers, are picky about the tempo, so, you have to really be on top of that too.