At my show this afternoon, I met the new activity director of the community, Samantha. She was very young-maybe 24. She told me several people on her team handle activities for the community and if she wasn't at the show, not to worry, one of her staff would be. Throughout the show, I saw a rotation of staff members, all young like the director, coming in and sitting down and using their phones. Then I watched them leaving and it was hard to determine whether they were actually doing anything with the residents or just babysitting them-or me. During the show I noticed one lady who passed by who looked older and had big black rimmed glasses and she stayed for a song or two and waved at me then went into a door marked 'Executive Director'. It's always good to meet the executive director. So after breaking down and packing up my gear cart, I passed by her door and noticed it was open a crack and she smiled at me and waved me inside. Sarah sat in her small office working on her computer and smiled as I thanked her for everything she does for her residents and asked if she liked the show. We bantered a little bit and she gave me her business card and I left. Something I've learned about staff at senior communities is that it's good to meet the older employees and befriend them. Younger people tend to leave quickly and do not stay very long at one community, which makes it harder to do business if contacts are always changing. Do yourself a favor and try and introduce yourself to older staff members and create relationships with them. They are the ones you can usually count on to be there for the long term.

Hi, Gang. I've seen videos on the topic, but was wondering if I might get a quick comparison from any of you already gigging with seniors... Among these four types of senior audiences: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing—what are, simply, the biggest differences among these audiences with regard to 1) song selection, and 2) banter/stories/song setups/jokes, etc. 3) anything else? eg: chat pacing, music tempo, subject matter... Any experience and insight you might share is much appreciated. I don't need a whole book on the subject—just a few tips, as I am getting ever closer to reaching out to ADs—next few weeks.

When I play my guitar, I think about my grandfather. He taught me that music brings family and friends together and that's the most important thing. I feel he is in my heart and helping me through the songs and helping me remember that home is where the heart is. As performers, I think it helps us to remember that we are presenting music AND we are conveying a 'feeling' that the music brings. We want our audience to experience the music and not just be listening to us play and sing. We must take them on a journey... When I was growing up, I remember my mother teaching piano lessons in my house in Pennsylvania. I also remember a piano being in every one of my cousin's and grandparent's houses. The sight of a piano makes me think about home. The sight of a guitar makes me think of my grandfather. Before the music is even played I am remembering Thanksgivings when the house was too hot and I had too many deserts and my grandmother was playing the piano with my mother-side by side. Relatives from across the state whom I see once year playing cards on the dinner table and drinking coffee while my cousins and I played football in tee shirts under the ally streetlight... Music helps these stories come to life again for us and for the residents we play for. Together we are transported away to a time and a place long ago... Let your next show become an experience that helps residents feel a little closer to home. Travel with them and be their guide. Put your whole heart into this performance and let it bring happiness and joy into their hearts.❤️

Before starting my week of shows, usually on a Sunday, I'll confirm every show via email and say something like this: Hi Sandy, Looking forward to sharing music with your residents this week! Confirming the show THIS Tuesday, October 20th, at 2pm. Do I have this date and time correct? Please find an invoice attached to this email and let me know if you need anything else:) Cheers, Chris If I don't get a confirmation back by the day of the show, I call the community and confirm I am indeed on their calendar for that date and time. Additionally, I will confirm my contact information for the activities director is correct and whether anything has changed since my last visit. (Because I hadn't gotten a response from my email) The secretary usually knows what's going on and can check the calendar to confirm the show and times. ALWAYS confirm and have.a digital record of the converstaion-not just a phone call. Get the secretary's email and send the confirmation to her. This helps when checking on late payments if that happens in the future.

So I have been looking up the local care homes on Facebook and following them when the have a activity that's different I leave a like and sometimes a comment " wow this looks really fun I bet everyone enjoyed that" for example my idea is they AD see my comment and who left it so that when I do contact them about a gig the might recognise me or even check my Facebook business page is this a good strategy what's everyone think?