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#328402 - 07/09/11 02:02 PM
An unusual request...
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15560
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Today, while performing at an upscale retirement community, the AD came to me and asked if I could perform a special song for a couple who were celebrating their anniversary. "No problem'" I replied and immediately went playing and singing "Look At Us," a song that everyone seems to love for anniversaries these days. The couple got up and danced through the entire song, did some excellent dance-floor moves, and when the song ended they both came over and thanked me. I asked how long they have been married and the wife perked up and said "74 years as of today!" My jaw must have dropped and asked "If it's not too personal, how old are you?" The husband, who appeared to be in his early 80s said "I just turned 102 last month, but my wife is still a spring chicken at 101." The husband then asked if I would be able to perform at their 75th wedding anniversary and I agreed. The AD came to me later and said a visiting family asked if I would be available for a 100th birthday party in August, which I also booked. Just about the time you think you're over the hill and wonder how many years you still have left in the entertainment biz, something like this happens and gives you an entirely new outlook on life. Cheers, Gary 
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#328409 - 07/09/11 04:08 PM
Re: An unusual request...
[Re: travlin'easy]
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Senior Member
Registered: 08/28/04
Posts: 2204
Loc: Louisiana, USA
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Today, while performing at an upscale retirement community, the AD came to me and asked if I could perform a special song for a couple who were celebrating their anniversary. "No problem'" I replied and immediately went playing and singing "Look At Us," a song that everyone seems to love for anniversaries these days. The couple got up and danced through the entire song, did some excellent dance-floor moves, and when the song ended they both came over and thanked me. I asked how long they have been married and the wife perked up and said "74 years as of today!" My jaw must have dropped and asked "If it's not too personal, how old are you?" The husband, who appeared to be in his early 80s said "I just turned 102 last month, but my wife is still a spring chicken at 101." The husband then asked if I would be able to perform at their 75th wedding anniversary and I agreed. The AD came to me later and said a visiting family asked if I would be available for a 100th birthday party in August, which I also booked. Just about the time you think you're over the hill and wonder how many years you still have left in the entertainment biz, something like this happens and gives you an entirely new outlook on life. Cheers, Gary Wow, that's amazing! I don't know if I've ever seen a couple that are both over 100.
_________________________
~ ~ ~
Bill
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#328415 - 07/09/11 07:20 PM
Re: An unusual request...
[Re: travlin'easy]
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Senior Member
Registered: 09/23/05
Posts: 1002
Loc: Phila. 'burbs, Pa. USA
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I’ve been following these conversations about senior gigs and you guys make it sound very appealing. Today I had a meeting about a wedding gig, nice people, but it’s a lot of work. On the way home, I thought about all the senior facilities in my area – close to home … Limited traveling, day work. I just returned from North Carolina, now I’m about to book a hotel for an August gig in Pittsburg, Pa. (I’m in the Philadelphia ‘Burbs). The money is decent, but I’m 69 and packing up after a 4 hour wedding or festival gig is taking more time as I’m tired then there is the driving.
So, Gary et al, can you give me advice about getting this kind of work … do I prepare a brochure, a flyer, an 8X10 glossy …? Do I knock on doors, use phone solicitation, or mailings? What actually works best? I’ve been reading lots of related posts and I see that repertoires range from music of the 40’s to R&B. What actually works best? What other questions should I be asking?
Ciao,
Jerry
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#328417 - 07/09/11 07:37 PM
Re: An unusual request...
[Re: Jerry T]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15560
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Jerry, You are basically in the same, general, market area that I'm in--the mid-Atlantic region. It is extremely lucrative and growing constantly, even in this lousy economy. If you are a member of the PSR-Tutorial forum you can access a wealth of information, some of which I posted HERE. I have a hard and fast rule for weddings now: I'll only do weddings if the bridge and groom are 55-years-old or older. I don't play kids music, I no longer can tolerate drunken teenagers and adolescent 35 to 50 year olds and my price structure is the same for all jobs. I've turned down several weddings over the past 5 years, and from reports I got from those who took those jobs, they wish they would have turned them down as well. The NH circuit can be very lucrative, and from my standpoint, it's the most rewarding job I've ever had. Check out the link and you'll find lots of great information that can help you on your way. Good luck from another old man, Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#328427 - 07/09/11 11:42 PM
Re: An unusual request...
[Re: travlin'easy]
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Senior Member
Registered: 01/30/06
Posts: 3944
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Today, while performing at an upscale retirement community, the AD came to me and asked if I could perform a special song for a couple who were celebrating their anniversary. "No problem'" I replied and immediately went playing and singing "Look At Us," a song that everyone seems to love for anniversaries these days. The couple got up and danced through the entire song, did some excellent dance-floor moves, and when the song ended they both came over and thanked me. I asked how long they have been married and the wife perked up and said "74 years as of today!" My jaw must have dropped and asked "If it's not too personal, how old are you?" The husband, who appeared to be in his early 80s said "I just turned 102 last month, but my wife is still a spring chicken at 101." The husband then asked if I would be able to perform at their 75th wedding anniversary and I agreed. The AD came to me later and said a visiting family asked if I would be available for a 100th birthday party in August, which I also booked. Just about the time you think you're over the hill and wonder how many years you still have left in the entertainment biz, something like this happens and gives you an entirely new outlook on life. Cheers, Gary Gary, You failed to ask the AD one important question, what the hell are they feeding them at that home, I want some. Sell your boat and buy a ton of it old lad! BTW I am 67 and beginning to smell a bit, don’t think I will make it to 100, what about you Gary, bet you can't cut a dash on the floor. Waltz of you, not a Rumba do you replacement hip in hey!
_________________________
Tyros 4/Pair SR 350/ PC with a i8 intel chip, XENYX 802, Ford Focus 2 litre/Tascam DR07/Brother printer/Designjet 500/ our Doris/5 Grandchildren/ white boxers short Kymart shipped over and Typhoo Tea Earl Grey
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#328439 - 07/10/11 06:18 AM
Re: An unusual request...
[Re: Tony Hughes]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15560
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Tony, That particular day they served Maryland style crab cakes, coleslaw, and fries for lunch. Not exactly health food, but when you're that old who cares. As for me, no body parts replaced as yet, and at age 70, it's unlikely that I'll be having anything replaced in the immediate future. I can still dance pretty good, even for an old guy, but I was never good at the Waltz. Now, if you're beginning to smell a bit at 67 it may be a good time to change YOUR dietary habits--crab cakes, fries and beer would be a good starter.  Rikki - You seem to be the kind of person that I think would live to be 100. And, you'll still be playing some sort of keyboard until the day you pass.  Cheers, Gary
Edited by travlin'easy (07/10/11 06:20 AM)
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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