I was somewhat hesitant about doing 50s and 60s RnR at senior homes, unless it appeared that they were "younger" (>75 yo) seniors. But recently I've been doing "Rock ATC" with surprising success. I'll start by telling that 50 years ago this month, July, 1955, for the very first time a r-n-r song hit the top of the pop music charts. It stayed there for 8 weeks and changed the world of music.

Yesterday, after I played RATC, a resident was proud to tell us that in 1953, Bill Randell (a prominent Cleveland, OH DJ at the time) brought Elvis P, Bill Haley, and Pat Boone to her high school for an "assembley program". The first 2 names were relatively unknown at the time! Unreal, huh?!

Glenn

Glenn,

Keep in mind that most of these folks are not very much older than you and I. Therefore, the songs they'll enjoy the most are those that were popular when they were 15 to 25 years of age. Kinda' scarey ain't it!

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

very interesting glen - i'm glad you shared that!!

Jill

"I was somewhat hesitant about doing 50s and 60s RnR at senior homes"

Glen....thats a bad outlook for Nursing Homes...believe me I play too many to count besides 100's my big shows every year.....ya gotta go in there like gang busters 150% playing everything on the spectrum....do it right and they'll always come back for more!!

when i spoke with my mother on the phone yesterday about the terrible heat in Ohio, she said she heard on the news to think about or watch for any seniors in your neighborhoods that might seem like the heat is affecting them negatively, or if you see them working in their yard, speak to them about it . . . she said " i took a quick look outside, and then realized . . . hey wait, they were talking about me!!!"



jill

Using the styles on the kn6000 preset into the Panel Memory, I have adapted a 50's medley that I used to play 'back in the day' with my band in NY and it is very well received by the 'senior' crowd ...
Rock Arnd The Clock
Shake, Rattle & Roll
Later, Alligator
Don't Be Cruel
Whole Lotta Shakin'
What I Say
The Twist

Depending on the crowd especially late 50's to late 60's I'll do a slow 'doo-wop' medley asking the crowd if they can name the group that recorded the tune ... I'll end it with "Sillhouettes" usually with the whole crowd singing...
t.

For a one hour show you have time for only 15-20 songs. Give 'em MOSTLY "their" music, and they'll love ya that much more. I've had many folks tell me after a concert that they really liked it because of the songs... that many entertainers come in and "don't play the right kind of music".

EXCACTLY! and to top it off they play it badly!! The proof is in the pudding