Gigs at Retirement Centers

Gary Reed · Posted 16 Apr 2011 6:53 pm

I know I've seen a thread around here with suggestions for gigging at Retirement Centers, but can't seem to locate it.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Larry Lorows · From: Zephyrhills,Florida, USA

I use a small PA system, and BIAB, on my laptop computer. I play steel along with it or lead guitar and sing. The seniors seem to like it, for sure. Larry
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U12 Williams keyless 400
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Gary Reed · Posted 17 Apr 2011 5:54 am

Hi Larry,
Thanks for the reply!

Do you get paid?
How did you make the initial connection with the Retirement home?

Gary

Drew Howard · From: 48854

Nursing homes, senior centers, but we play REAL quiet so the hearing aids don't go off.

Larry Lorows · From: Zephyrhills,Florida, USA

Hi Gary, No, I didn't charge them. I did get invited to Thank You Volunteers dinners, and that sort of thing. Actually, I did get paid once in a while, if they offered I took it. It's been about three years since I was doing it up north. I'm retired now and living in Florida, and playing in a regular band, so I don't have much time any more. Larry
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U12 Williams keyless 400
Vegas 400, Nashville 112, Line 6 pod xt

Larry Schoppe · From: Lake Jackson, Texas, USA

I play bass in a band at four different nursing homes in our area. Each Tuesday night we play at a different home in rotation. We rarely have a drummer. Typically we have steel, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, bass, & piano. Four band members sing. It's all volunteer work. We all enjoy playing and the residents enjoy listening.

Bob Vantine · From: Freeville, New York, USA

I'm doin' one of the same gigs that Larry Lorows had here in the north ..... the one that didn't pay , except really we have a donation cup & the band goes out to dinner 2-4 times a year w/spouses off of it .This happens the last Sunday of every other month 2-5 pm.

During the year we avg 1-2 per month (we don't gig over the winter anymore) these include a nice sit down meal .... then play for 1 hr a mixture of Contry & Gospel tunes . These usually pay $30-50/hr per man. We vary from 2-3 people rarely 4 anymore. Travel usually not more than 20-25 miles , and mostly Tues nites .

Minimal equipment .... small PA , maybe small amps on some .
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Terry Winter · From: Saskatchewan, Canada

I play in four different retirement homes with four different groups and it's all for free. One time we were setting up and a sweet old lady cupped her ears and walked away down the hall exclaiming "to loud, to loud". This was before we even started or played a note. She was later escorted back in by a nurse and she sat and clapped and sang for the rest of the performance. Many more stories, but this was the shortest.(' Very Happy

') Terry

Ray McCarthy · From: New Hampshire, USA

We play several times a year at one nursing home where the wife of one of the band members works. It's usually a freebie, except they give us dinner, and we consider it a practise session.
One time a little elderly lady in pajamas came up to me in her walker, stood right in front of me and my Derby--big smile on her face, looking right at me while dancing around in the walker. After a few songs she asked me how old I was. I think she was trying to hit on me. It was a little scary, but fun.

Roy McKinney · From: Ontario, OR

Yes we do and it is fun. No pay is asked for.
Once a month we (3 pieces) play in Joseph, OR for an hour, load up drive 8 miles over to Enterprise, OR, set up again and do it for another hour. Only about 1/2 hour between the gigs so it is rush rush. One is an assisted living facility and the other is a nursing home. Much better job then a paid gig, they really enjoy it.

FWIW, I drive 130 miles R/T to do this.

Owen Barnes · From: Utopia, Texas, USA

I play professionally for money (2 bands), but once a month, I play with some friends who themselves are quite a bit older than me, at 2 rest homes and 1 assisted living home. We do play for free all the way, but the REAL reason I do it is I'm thinking: "you know, one of these days I may very well be in one of these, and I know how much I would appreciate it if someone came to entertain me just because they want to".
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Billy Tonnesen · From: R.I.P., Buena Park, California

Over the years here in So. California I played with Groups hired by some of the more upscale Retirement Communities of Mobile Homes and Condo complexes. The town of Hemet, Ca. has many square miles of these retirement complexes. They usially had one Dance or show each month at their Clubhouse. To get booked you find out who the Entertainment Director is. These were paying Gigs. You need to be familiar with a lot of Classic Country muisic as there is a lot of requests you need to be able to play.

Twayn Williams · From: Portland, OR

I play classic swing at a Retirement home once or twice a month. We have a tip jar out and I've make more there than at some clubs Winking

Occasionally I'll bring my lap steel in addition to my Gypsy Jazz guitar and play a few tunes on the steel. It's a 5 piece band, 2 guitars, bass, vocals, piano. The piano player is 93, though we recently (last week) lost her to a stroke Sad

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Doug Palmer · From: Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

I was playing a Lowrey Organ with all the bells and whistles at a retirement center in Kernersville. I was playing 'Just a closer walk with Thee' using the swing beat and was really sounding good. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a sweet little lady in her 90's slowly walking toward me. I looked at her over my shoulder and smiled. She shouted out loud and clear "THAT SOUNDS LIKE SH#T! I'll never forget it.

Doug
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Elton Smith · From: Texas, USA

I have played many times for the old folks .No charge.But the biggest thing that ever happened was an old guy in a wheel chair wanted to play with us and I said sure.They rolled him in with his tele and we played.When it was over I looked at his tele and the serial # was 001.I found his son that had brought him and explained he needed to put that up!
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Ray Mangrum · From: Nashville, TN.

I play with two different bands in these types of settings, one paid and one volunteer. These are some of the most responsive audiences I've ever played to.
I would ask anyone who has the chance to work Nursing Homes, Retirement Centers to give it a try before you make up your mind. Thanks, Ray

Dick Wood · From: Springtown Texas, USA

Doug,

That's funny as hell. I can't stop laughing!
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Chuck McGill · From: An hour from Memphis and 2 from Nashville, R.I.P.

Great story Doug. I love doing gigs for these keepers
of great knowledge. Some have slipped in a little but
most have lived it and walked away and are happy to tell you about it.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

We've played a couple lately and had a good time and also get a "few" bucks for it. We just use my wife and I and our drummer. Our bass player is still out there working so he's not available in the daytime. My wife and the drummer both sing and I play fingertyle guitar and don't use the bass but it sound OK.

A couple of times over the years I've got a band together and played at the Masonic Home of Virginia in Richmond for some of the retired "Brothers" and their wives. They enjoyed it a lot and we did as well.........JH in Va.
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Bo Legg · Posted 20 Apr 2011 10:48 pm

Gigging at the Retirement Center

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

I play at seniors centres a lot. You just have to remember what type of music they grew up with and don't try and hang any jazzed up rock music on them.

Every so often, you get the chance to be blown away by the musical talent and ability some of these old codgers can still throw at you.

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