I'm known among senior communities as 'the guy who talks about his grandfather'. I didn't market myself this way-it just happened. Overtime, as my confidence grew, I began to share my music roots and why I'm happy to be with the residents and how my grandfather's guitar changed my life. When I shared my 'why' with the residents, the show became more than the music and started transforming into something else. In between songs, I'd say something like, "...Pop pop told me if you have a song you love you need to share it with others, they will feel the love even if they don't know the song.." Then I'd start playing 'Yesterday' or 'What a wonderful world'. The show was becoming more like an 'experience' as I shared the stories and reasons behind the songs I play. Music became almost secondary. As if one were admiring the intricately designed framing before ever noticing the beautiful painting. As I grew as a performer, so did my recollections of being with my grandfather and his lessons. I'd sit at the kitchen table and practice a song and Pop pop would say, "..you're playing too damn fast. Imagine you are eating a piece of you're grandmother's cheesecake..the goal isn't to eat as fast as you can-savor every bite and make it last." Every time I play a song on the guitar I think of that. Mmmmm cheesecake! I think this is why my show is different than others. Why did you begin playing music? How does this shape the life you live? These are a few good questions to answer and share with residents at your next show. They want to know you, not just listen to your music. The more you share about yourself and the love you have for your music, the more you will connect with your senior communities. What do you want to be known for?

I don't introduce myself before I begin my show. The first instant my amp is turned on I start playing softly and ease myself into the set. Then 2 or 3 songs in-I'll pause a moment, look at the audience, and say thank you for inviting me back to share the music I love. Then as I start the next song I'll briefly say who I am , where I'm from, and why I'm there. "...I play every song from my heart and I hope to touch on some of your favorites during the show today. Music is one of my favorite things. My 2nd favorite thing is cheesecake..." The show continues with some Beatles, a little Bob Dylan, a sample of Johnny Cash"....About half way through the show I'll tell them "..my grandfather taught me how to play the guitar. He didn't teach me how to sing. He sang from his heart but never sang in tune...." whether I get a laugh or not, I follow up my jokes by thanking my audience. "Thank you for smiling back at me and singing along. I'm feeling awesome -I love this crowd!" You can't go wrong with saying thank you. In your own way, try and find the words that best match your personality and then show your audience you are grateful for their attention and thank them. Several times throughout my hour long show, I'll pause and express appreciation for the residents being here with me and for tapping their toes and showing up to the show. "...I hear a lot of singers here today. This is great! And some of us are even singing the same words!" You might get a chuckle. You might get crickets. But at the very least you are putting a great vibe out there by giving your audience a sincere and hearty 'Thank You'. ❤️

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.

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.

What's the difference between 'live music' and a 'music program'? I've discovered that the main difference is engagement. I see myself advertised as both when I visit senior communities. However, I don't know which role I'll play until I see the room full of residents. For me, 'Live Music' falls under the category of background performer. It's the kind of show where I'm not the 'main event' and something else is going on in conjunction with the music. Holiday party, dinnertime, happy hour...live music is primarily just playing the songs and singing as a compliment to an existing program or celebration. A 'music program', the kind of show I mostly do, is part music part storytelling. This kind of show has residents sitting in rows right in front of me and I'm the main attraction. They watch me setup and talk with them and tell jokes and maybe do a little juggling. Residents listen to me greet everyone coming in and slowly start playing a few chords and begin introducing myself and setting the tone for the whole show. The 'program' part is about sharing a part of myself through a story or a joke. It can also teach our audience a thing or two about music or about life. The 'program' can be both musical and entertaining. Example , (I'm playing You Are My Sunshine) "My grandfather smoked a pack of camel cigarettes a day and even smoked while he played guitar. When I was a kid I asked him if I wanted to pick guitar do I need to pick up smoking?"...Usually I'll get a laugh... Sometimes we need to be in the room and observe the setup and the audience before we determine what kind of show it's going to be regardless of how the community advertises us. When you play for seniors, what kind of show is your favorite to do?