Well, at my retirement home gig today, someone asked for "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Cyndi Lauper, 1983) Fortunately I have played that before, so I was happy to play it, and a few sang along! So I'm wondering if we are entering the era of slowly bringing 80's music into senior homes. As a 51 year old, that idea scared me a bit! To make it even worse, I was once asked if I knew any Alanis Morissette songs! So, what are the 80's and 90's hits you're bringing into seniors homes?

Hi all. I volunteer at an assisted living facility as the song leader for vespers/chapel on Sunday afternoons. Following our service there is always entertainment at 3pm for the residents. Well today, as I was leaving, I noticed lots of people gathered in the common area where there is either TV watching or entertainment. I asked if they were waiting for the soccer game. The residents said no, they were waiting for the entertainment. Well, I asked the receptionist (who knows me) if something had happened and she said she was waiting for word. Well, the activity director had called the scheduled entertainer (15 minutes late now) and evidently the entertainer had forgotten to write today's show down on her calendar. I was so sad that I didn't have music with me to play because I would gladly have invited everyone into the chapel room and done something for them (as a gift of course) All those people who had gathered for entertainment went back to their rooms or whatever. So I share this story for two reasons. First, I wanted to present a firsthand account of what it looks like when someone doesn't show up (not because you are sick or have car issues, but because you basically forgot) so we can all be very attentive to those details. Second, I am now committed to bring my tablet of chord charts with me EACH WEEK to the facility in case this EVER happens again so I am ready to respond. I wish I had all of my music memorized, but that's no excuse. I can easily walk in with my tablet because I do play sometimes at our services (when the regular pianist is not available). I never again want to feel unprepared to step in and help. I hope this long post is helpful to all of you. If not, thanks for reading anyway. Rebecca

Yesterday at my show, one of the residents came over to me as I was setting up and shared the news that Jack had passed away. He and his wife sat in the same spot at every one of my shows for the past 3 years and I've grown to love seeing them and talking with both of them after every show. I was heartbroken upon hearing his and looked up as other residents were sitting down and looked in that familiar spot to see his wife, Audrey, sitting alone, but smiling nonetheless. She looked peaceful and just a little bit sad. I went over to her and gave her a hug and asked if there was anything I could do and that I loved Jack and will miss him. She told me he always loved my music and if I could play 'You are my sunshine' she would feel a lot better and know he was there with her. I smiled and started and started the show with that song and everyone sang along and I saw Audrey smile and sing and close her eyes. She and Jack had been together 60 years... When we play for senior communities it's important to be sensitive and remember the songs we play have the power to bring happiness to others, even when they lost someone close. We are entertainers but our audiences also needs us to be approachable and friendly and ...human. We never know how much time we have. Let's commit to making every show special, as if it's the last one we ever get to do for them. Keep spreading your love and light with music!❤️❤️❤️

My first attempt at this song last Sunday. Great song by Elton John and should work in several settings https://youtu.be/c_LkJZnjIXg?is=9YVtJHrOy0-cQ2zn