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Topic: Playing Steel guitar for Nursing Home |
Clyde Mumpower
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 5:17 pm |
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Hi, Fellow steel guitar players,
I played for the first time today for a nursing home. They had asked me to do this a while back and gave me a hours playing time. I was sure supprised how much those people enjoyed the steel guitar music. I ended up playing for over two hours. It sure made me feel good to see their smiling faces while I was playing for them. As I was preparing to leave several of them asked when I would be back.
This sure did made this old steel hacker feel good.
Clyde Mumpower |
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Pat Carlson
From:
Sutton, Nebraska, R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 5:53 pm
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Great Job Clyde! I am sure you brightened some lonely peoples lifes with your efforts!  |
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Bill Stroud
From:
Dresden, Tennessee, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 5:57 pm
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It just makes you feel good, I also play once a month at The Hill View Nursing Home, My Mom is 97 years old and she knows the exact date I'm suppose to be there, she lets me know so I won't forget. They indded do enjoy the Steel Music and some old gospel tunes, a lot of them sings along they know the songs.
Keep up the good work.
God Bless you,
BIll |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 6:05 pm
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| I've played various instruments in these places including steel and nothing gets a response like steel guitar. Play a sweet version of an old favorite and you got em'!!! |
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Duane Becker
From:
Elk,Wa 99009 USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 6:10 pm
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| I used to do that too, it was very rewarding to me and everyone always appreciated it. Sadly I'm too busy anymore to do that but maybe someday I'll find some time. Duane Becker |
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Buck Grantham R.I.P.
From:
Denham Springs, LA. USA
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Posted 7 Apr 2006 8:02 pm
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| A friend of mine and I play for senior get togethers and nursing homes often and we always get more benefit from it than the seniors. We always leave there feeling good. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 3:17 am
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excellent Clyde..Sharing your gift, something we all should do.
T |
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Rick Garrett
From:
Tyler, Texas
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 3:49 am
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I've played a little acoustic in nursing homes with friends before. Gospel tunes and the folks there really appreciate it and enjoy it. I can't wait till I get good enough on steel to play it there. In fact that or church jams will probably be the first place I play out on steel. I imagine I'll enjoy it as much or more than the those folks who live there.
Rick |
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Mark Edwards
From:
Weatherford,Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 4:39 am
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| A sure fire way of getting out of yourself, is to do for others. Not only were you a service to these folks, you shared a piece of yesterday with them. This is a great opportunity to put a smile on someones face, and at the same time share your talents. I know these fine folks enjoyed every minute you gave them. |
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James Marlowe
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 4:45 am
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I, too, am blessed with the oppurtunity to play in nursing homes; one every week and another once monthly. Don't get to play my steel, but I play bass along with a good friend, John White on steel and Rev. Elton Ovitt on rhythm guitar and lead vocal. Elton is the only person I know, personally, who can sing "The Auctioneer", and "I've been Everywhere"! But it really is a blessing to me to see those folks enjoying themselves. Thank God for this and retirement!
james |
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Clyde Mumpower
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 5:15 am
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Thanks to all you who has responded. I asked the ones there if they had any request as to what they wanted to hear. The first request was some Hank Williams music, requested by a lady. And then come the request for Amazing Grace and Old Rugged Cross. Thank goodness I had practised those just in case they did asked for them. This being my first nursing home experience gave me a little heads up on what to prepare for the next time I play there.
Clyde |
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George Macdonald
From:
Vancouver Island BC Canada
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Posted 8 Apr 2006 6:03 am
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| I play at Seniors Homes too occasionally using rhythm tracks into my amp from a little CD player. The Gospel somgs are always their favorites. George |
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Joe Smith
From:
Charlotte, NC, USA
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Posted 10 Apr 2006 8:54 am
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Clyde, you are a good man.
That was really nice of you to take time to bring some sunshine to those folks.
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 10 Apr 2006 12:29 pm
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I really like to play at nursing homes.
You talk about a captive audience!
Once they lock the wheels on those wheel chairs, they just can't get away! 
Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 10 April 2006 at 01:30 PM.] |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 10 Apr 2006 12:34 pm
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| My buddy and I were playing at a Veteran's home and he started out the gig with the old Bobby Helms classic: "Far across the deep blue waters lives an old German's daughter...... We had our selves a visitation from the ghost that day!! |
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Paul King
From:
Gainesville, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Apr 2006 5:24 pm
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| Clyde, I started working at a nursing home in December 2005. I have played two times and scheduled to play again the end of the month. These people are starving for good entertainment. Many of them never have any company so a band coming in is a great blessing to them. They do have a flute player and someone with a rhythm guitar that comes and plays but a full band is what they want to hear. The first time we played we just did instrumentals. They wanted some singing so we had some singing. Now they tell me there was too much singing and want more music. At any rate they are a crowd that loves music, especially country and gospel. |
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Clyde Mumpower
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 5:27 am
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Thanks to all for your nice replys. Also Erv Niehaus, you are right they come in pick a parking spot for their wheel chairs lock those wheels and don't plan on leaving until the music stops. I know they must really be bored to sit and listen to me play for two hours.
Thanks, Clyde |
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Les Green
From:
Jefferson City, MO, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 7:19 am
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| I have a friend who plays bass in a band I sub for quite a bit and he has a small jazz band and does nursing homes every Wednsday. He does 3 different homes in one day. He's 67 years of age and has to use a cane to get around with himself. Needless to say I admire him for his efforts to cheer up these people. Great guy! |
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Larry Phleger
From:
DuBois, PA
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 7:29 am
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| Our band plays at a senior home 3 times a month. Many of the residents really enjoy the steel, and are quite upset when I can't make a gig. It is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my years of playing. |
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John Davis
From:
Cambridge, U.K.
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 7:42 am
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| Well thats it! now I know where the county music audiences have all gone! I just did`ent notice them all slipping into them places........... I am definately going to give that a go........soon ! |
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Rob Parker
From:
Paducah, Kentucky, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 8:02 am
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Clyde,
I am glad you are on the 'Nursing Home' circuit.I have been playing nursing homes, senior citizens centers and other charitable functions for over 30 years..started with a gospel trio, singing and playing guitar, then later with our country band, playing guitar, and steel and doing vocals.Then I started doing sets using my tracks, and have really enjoyed it...and now I play steel with a gospel quartet that schedules the nursing homes and senior retirement centers..
Most all centers of this type,have lonely, and bored seniors, who thirst for any type of entertainment..they love it and appreciate the music..And there are not funds to schedule musicians to come in and play.Most bands do not have 'time' to do freebies..Our groups did this many, many times...I have a stack of 'Thank You ' certificates of appreciation that they gave us for coming...and I received thank you letters and phone calls from out of state, from relatives of some of the people who were residents at the centers.
We even were asked to play a 'Rock and Roll' show...The seniors 'rocked' in rocking chairs, or were pushed around the room in their wheel chairs, by family or friends, or by the staff, as we played..They all had a great time, and the best time was had by us musicians...
There have been many,many heartwarming events that have happened at the various places we played. One of the most memorable was at a home, and as we were playing, I heard a nurse gasp loudly, and when I looked, she was running out on the floor where a very elderly lady had begun to dance..Another nurse helped her to get the lady back in her wheel chair.I called the nurse over after we had finished the song, and told her they could dance if they wanted to. We were playing for their pleasure..The nurse told me that, that was the first time that lady had stood up on her own in over a year....and beside standing up, she was trying to dance.....
I have played at some of the homes where besides the wheel chairs, they roll their hospital beds in, tilt them up some where they can see better..and they sing with you, clap hands with the music, and have a great time...and they are not ready for you to quit playing..they want to shake hands, hug you and they tell you how much they enjoyed the music, and want to know will you come back 'tomorrow' or next week...
My friends, if you choose to play for these people, I will guarantee you that you will receive tons of blessings from it...And most of them,don't know,nor do they care if you are a great player,or just a thumper kinda like me...THEY LOVE IT... and they will love you....
Thanks for your time...
RP...'come on in'... [This message was edited by ROB PARKER on 11 April 2006 at 06:24 PM.] |
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Clyde Mumpower
From:
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 8:25 am
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Thanks again to all of you. Also thanks Rob, for sharing your experiences with the nursing homes. I met you at the Saluda convention several years ago and I sure have enjoyed your singing and playing over the past few years.
Clyde[This message was edited by Clyde Mumpower on 11 April 2006 at 09:28 AM.] |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 1:36 pm
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| Just got back from one of these gigs. We played La Paloma, Moonglow, Quiet Village, Cumbia, Canadian Sunset, Wheels, Sweet Leilani, Hano Hano Hanalei etc etc. Totally soul satisfying work. Had a ball!! |
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James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 5:40 pm
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| Quote: |
| And there are not funds to schedule musicians to come in and play.Most bands do not have 'time' to do freebies..Our groups did this many, many times... |
Boy, I hope I don't become personna non grata here, but is this right, considering the for-profit nursing home/assisted care industry? I've talked with several entertainers here who work this market, and so far, no one works for free.
Pro bono work is fine in its place, but as a norm?[This message was edited by James Cann on 11 April 2006 at 06:41 PM.] |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Apr 2006 7:39 pm
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I'd be glad to play at a local Nursing Home! Why must money always be the most important factor? Of course, to be the only one playing for free; would not be ideal either, but; everyone doing it out of the kindness of their own hearts would be quite rewarding, I'm sure! The reason I haven't done it yet is because, I wouldn't know where to l©©k for any volunteers to join me! But, one of these days; I'm sure it will happen!
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“Big John”
a.k.a. {Keoni Nui}
Current Equipment
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