If you want to be successful as a senior community performer you need to have a heart of service. Residents at senior communities want to experience your show, not just passively listen to you. You need to make that connection and sometimes it's not just about playing their favorite song, it's about understanding we are there to serve. Someone came up to me after my show this evening and said she liked 'Rocky Mountain High'. I lead into this song with a story about hiking in northern NY near Lake George and she said "I liked the way you sing it, it made me feel something deeper" Be brave and share the stories that are personal and inspiring. Often times, this is the best way to enrich the show and give them a part of ourselves while we are performing❤️

Becoming known in your community as a musical performer can lead to 'paid' opportunities. You just gotta get out there! Where to start? Use google maps to locate 5 'senior communities' nearest to you and give them a call. Say "I live just down the road here in town and would love to cheer up your residents with music and melodies. Do you ever bring in new entertainers?" Simply reaching out and being honest about your intentions to share music and bring joy and happiness to their community will generate positive results. Go out and shine your love and light! Oh, and if you need some help leaving messages for activity directors here is a link to a 'message script' I created. Good luck👍 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j9ycJEQzpKW-YSDfrdLx7T-k89v1fUFXGqmIx7BV49k/edit?usp=sharing

Here is a clip about 13 years ago of me playing guitar for my 95 year old grandmother at Sycamore Nursing & Rehabilitation in Loyalsock, Pennsylvania. A dozen or so visits were just like this. I'd sit next to her with my grandfather's guitar and play the songs she loved. We would have this musical moment together that was very special. The director came during one of these visits and asked me to play for the whole community and they'd be happy to pay me. Talk about a day that changed my life!

For performers, doing a gig and pulling off a great show is all in a days work. For senior communities, the music show is an event that can make their entire day or week! Remembering that can help us be mindful to put our best foot forward, be present, and make the melodies full of love and intention. What is your favorite musical moment?

I'm playing Jim Croce's 'Photographs & Memories' , Johnny Cash's version of 'I've been Everywhere', and George Harrison's 'While my Guitar Gently Weeps'. I intend to try all 3 before the end of this week's show line up and will share my progress with The Performer's Circle! What songs are you working on?