Need advice for starting a band (for assisted living - nursing homes)

[Sonoma Bass]

I need advice for starting a band to perform in assisted living centers and nursing homes. I've never started a band nor managed one, so I'm kind of flying blind.

Most of the music that typical bar bands play would be inappropriate. It's aimed at music that residents first enjoyed as teenagers. This means Top 10 vocals-based songs from the mid-1940s through early 60s -- with emphasis on earlier not latter.

Positives:

• Sense of fulfillment making people happy who otherwise are just waiting for the end
• Stimulate long-forgotten memories and emotions with familiar lyrics and music
• Short gigs -- one hour long
• Good hours -- usually mid-afternoon on weekdays (home in time for dinner, play other gigs at night)
• Play good music with a live band
• Only a small PA is required for modest amplification of vocals and instruments
• Small set list -- just a dozen songs per gig (assumes not taking requests)
• Good activity for a retired musician

Negatives:

• Must learn mostly new songs that you'd otherwise never play
• Many (esp. younger) players probably never listen to the target music so it is unfamiliar (albeit easy to play)
• Bad hours for day-job workers
• Small band footprint is required, so singing players are preferred
• Need at least one male and one female singer
• There's very little to no money paid by these venues. A few high end centers have a modest entertainment budget of $100-150 per gig (for the whole band). The vast majority, especially state-run nursing homes have zero budget and most of the residents are poor.

Where should I look to find potential players for this project? Is it better to focus on creating a dedicated band, or easier to fulfill with a pool of subs with several players for each spot? Would quality sub players even bother if there's no pay? What else should I consider?

Thank you!

 

[turf3]

I have played in two different bands with this focus, plus a lot of the trad-jazz work I've done has mostly been performing in town senior centers (in New England, every town has a senior center).

You're going to want to recruit retired musicians. The day gig doesn't work with the schedules these places work on. I have been fortunate that my day gig is unusually flexible, so I've been able to participate though I'm not retired (hoping, maybe the next couple years!)

I think you're on the general right track: look at the age (let's say, 85) and guess birth date (1940) and what was popular when they were teenagers (1955)?

There are also certain songs that are timeless and always get a great response. You Are My Sunshine will always go over.

Lots of songs are about death and bad things - we usually leave those out. Love songs always go over a treat. Keep the volume low! If you think it's low enough, turn it down further!

It's a rewarding kind of gig. I'm looking forward to my next trip to New England and some more gigs of this type.

 

[bass81800]

I have done some jazz standards type of gigs as a quartet for assisted living. It was all instrumental and often themed. Rotating group of players. Some Patriotic tunes for July 4th, New Orleans 20's tunes for Mardi Gras. I also did a lot of chatting up the residents to get them more involved, so you need to be comfortable doing that.

I also observed other groups kept the number of players way down and often used some kind of pre-recorded accompaniment. Before you attempt to do this, I would really figure out how you are going to get into the rotation. A lot of these groups have been doing this for years and have built a following with the residents. You need to contact the Activity Directors at these facilities, who are super busy, and keep trying. They usually book the entertainment. The main reason I got in with a facility was because I was good friends with one of the residents. It still took some marketing work to make it happen. And, yes, it is challenging finding players as the gigs are during weekdays so you will need to recruit players who are retired.

 

[Bullitt5135]

A pro musician friend of mine makes the rounds at a number of assisted living centers performing on steel pan and using backing tracks. He keeps pretty busy. You are correct, budgets are tight. Backing tracks plus one or two people playing guitar and singing would be how I'd approach this. Small footprint, easy load-in/load-out (most gigs will be an hour or less), volume level under control.

 

[Sonoma Bass]

I have done some jazz standards type of gigs as a quartet for assisted living. It was all instrumental and often themed. Rotating group of players. Some Patriotic tunes for July 4th, New Orleans 20's tunes for Mardi Gras. I also did a lot of chatting up the residents to get them more involved, so you need to be comfortable doing that.

I also observed other groups kept the number of players way down and often used some kind of pre-recorded accompaniment. Before you attempt to do this, I would really figure out how you are going to get into the rotation. A lot of these groups have been doing this for years and have built a following with the residents. You need to contact the Activity Directors at these facilities, who are super busy, and keep trying. They usually book the entertainment. The main reason I got in with a facility was because I was good friends with one of the residents. It still took some marketing work to make it happen. And, yes, it is challenging finding players as the gigs are during weekdays so you will need to recruit players who are retired.

How well were the instrumentals received? The activity director at the assisted living center where my mom lives says vocals tend to get more engagement. Pretty spectacular results at times, when residents who can barely talk or are usually silent start singing along like they were teenagers. That's what I'm going for.

 

[turf3]

I certainly wouldn't lean much on instrumentals. If you're presenting yourself as a jazz group, OK. But keep in mind you will be playing for the true general public, and the true general public really can't respond to music that doesn't have sung words.

 

[Sonoma Bass]

I certainly wouldn't lean much on instrumentals. If you're presenting yourself as a jazz group, OK. But keep in mind you will be playing for the true general public, and the true general public really can't respond to music that doesn't have sung words.

I can see how some instrumentals could work. This one is amazing! But it's way more of professional performance that I could pull off!

 

[gln1955]

My band a done a couple of assisted living center gigs. I think you may be aiming a bit early in your tunes. The 1940's crowd is pretty much gone. When we played, we got requests for more mid to late 60's rock.

 

[Sonoma Bass]

I've learned a lot from these blogs.

Performing for Seniors: The Essential Guide for Musicians and Entertainers​

Playing Assisted Living, Nursing, Retirement and Memory Care homes: Year end update!
.

 

[Sonoma Bass]

My band a done a couple of assisted living center gigs. I think you may be aiming a bit early in your tunes. The 1940's crowd is pretty much gone. When we played, we got requests for more mid to late 60's rock.

The assisted living center where my mom lives has lots of 90-somethings. She's 92, born in 1932. I asked her what she listened to as a teenager and she immediately gushed, "Oh, big band!" Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, etc. Smack in the 40s. However, it's very hard to play big band songs with a band of two or three musicians!!

The other day she and I walked past a room there where a single performer was entertaining a handful of people. The guy was playing guitar and singing an early Elvis tune -- to a full backing track. I'm really resisting that approach. The performance felt pretty cheesy. And way too loud. However, people were swaying and digging it so who am I to judge?

 

[kleinenenten]

I have nothing to say except I think this is a wonderful idea and I wish you the best. I hope you find a great band!

 

[gln1955]

The assisted living center where my mom lives has lots of 90-somethings. She's 92, born in 1932. I asked her what she listened to as a teenager and she immediately gushed, "Oh, big band!" Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, etc. Smack in the 40s. However, it's very hard to play big band songs with a band of two or three musicians!!

The other day she and I walked past a room there where a single performer was entertaining a handful of people. The guy was playing guitar and singing an early Elvis tune -- to a full backing track. I'm really resisting that approach. The performance felt pretty cheesy. And way too loud. However, people were swaying and digging it so who am I to complain?

Can you find a singer who can pull off Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, or a woman who can do Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday?

 

[Sonoma Bass]

Can you find a singer who can pull off Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, or a woman who can do Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday?

OK, well it's an aspiration!

 

[Michedelic]

As for the age demographic, even though we’ve arrived at the point where the original rock’n’roll generation are there, they might not have been into the more uptempo jive stuff. Then take into consideration their possible sensitivity to volume. Look into doowop, maltshop or vocal/harmony type stuff, let alone the “Your Hit Parade” adult pop of the 50’s. As well as Four Aces, Four Preps, Four Freshman…
There’s a station near me in Palm Springs (large retirement community there)that covers Great American Songbook material, but often plays newer renditions(like McCartney doing “Bye Bye Blackbird”)and some loungey 60’s stuff. I’d suggest streaming it for possible song ideas…

107.3 Mod FM

www.1073modfm.com

 

[Michedelic]

I need advice for starting a band to perform in assisted living centers and nursing homes. I've never started a band nor managed one, so I'm kind of flying blind.

Most of the music that typical bar bands play would be inappropriate. It's aimed at music that residents first enjoyed as teenagers. This means Top 10 vocals-based songs from the mid-1940s through early 60s -- with emphasis on earlier not latter.

Positives:

• Sense of fulfillment making people happy who otherwise are just waiting for the end
• Stimulate long-forgotten memories and emotions with familiar lyrics and music
• Short gigs -- one hour long
• Good hours -- usually mid-afternoon on weekdays (home in time for dinner, play other gigs at night)
• Play good music with a live band
• Only a small PA is required for modest amplification of vocals and instruments
• Small set list -- just a dozen songs per gig (assumes not taking requests)
• Good activity for a retired musician

Negatives:

• Must learn mostly new songs that you'd otherwise never play
• Many (esp. younger) players probably never listen to the target music so it is unfamiliar (albeit easy to play)
• Bad hours for day-job workers
• Small band footprint is required, so singing players are preferred
• Need at least one male and one female singer
• There's very little to no money paid by these venues. A few high end centers have a modest entertainment budget of $100-150 per gig (for the whole band). The vast majority, especially state-run nursing homes have zero budget and most of the residents are poor.

Where should I look to find potential players for this project? Is it better to focus on creating a dedicated band, or easier to fulfill with a pool of subs with several players for each spot? Would quality sub players even bother if there's no pay? What else should I consider?

Thank you!

Just make sure you avoid ‘teen tragedy’ titles like “Last Kiss” or Dickie Lee’s “Laurie”
and “Patches”.

 

[KenSmithFan]

The guy was playing guitar and singing an early Elvis tune -- to a full backing track. I'm really resisting that approach. The performance felt pretty cheesy. And way too loud. However, people were swaying and digging it so who am I to judge?

+1

That’s karaoke.

I wouldn’t worry about finding a male singer AND a female singer. I do Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, and After Midnight by Patsy Cline. They always go over great, no one has ever said anything about a man singing a song primarily sung by a woman.

Focus on finding the right set list and everything else will fall into place. The only rule is don’t suck.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I don't have the skill set to play swing. I've already entertained the new generation of nursing home folk 30 years ago and I know the setlist pretty well. 50s 60s oldies doo wop and Motown.
They'll probably dance less than they used to...

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

The earlier advice about turning down is good, but bear in mind that most elderly folks have some degree of hearing loss and may have trouble listening to you if you play TOO quietly. Also be prepared for a lot of people singing along with varying levels of being in the right key and on pitch.

 

[Runnerman]

I did this before and used high school students. My son who is a drummer played a djembe. Two of his friends included a keyboard and guitar player, one was a female. I played bass and myself and the guitar player played through a couple of small amps. We did about 4 songs which would be recognizable by the aged crowd which was approx 20 people. Most of the nursing home staff was there as well. The only song I remember was Autumn leaves. We played it in a traditional jazz fashion passing around solos for each instrument. The response was great. It was just a one-off. I've never thought of it as something that could be done as a regular band. I wish you the best, it will be more rewarding than you can imagine.

 

[Sonoma Bass]

I have played in two different bands with this focus, plus a lot of the trad-jazz work I've done has mostly been performing in town senior centers (in New England, every town has a senior center).

You're going to want to recruit retired musicians. The day gig doesn't work with the schedules these places work on. I have been fortunate that my day gig is unusually flexible, so I've been able to participate though I'm not retired (hoping, maybe the next couple years!)

I think you're on the general right track: look at the age (let's say, 85) and guess birth date (1940) and what was popular when they were teenagers (1955)?

There are also certain songs that are timeless and always get a great response. You Are My Sunshine will always go over.

Lots of songs are about death and bad things - we usually leave those out. Love songs always go over a treat. Keep the volume low! If you think it's low enough, turn it down further!

It's a rewarding kind of gig. I'm looking forward to my next trip to New England and some more gigs of this type.

I have just one experience playing 14 years ago at a senior center right here in Ukiah, a small rural community in Mendocino County, California. It was me on electric bass and a friend on acoustic guitar. No vocals. The first song was a trad. jazz tune but the others were originals. The event was a monthly Ice Cream Social. There were many wheel chairs. Heads were lowered as they consumed ice cream. I saw very little interaction between people in the audience. Their reaction to our music was polite applause. We were surprised at the reaction but only because typical audiences were much more engaged, and also I was unfamiliar with the senior audience. Having witnessed my mom at an assisted living center for three years, I have better appreciation of what makes these folks go. It's kind of a different approach, aiming to play high quality music that I normally don't listen to in order to hit the sweet spot of a unique audience. Anyway, at my senior center gig, I stuck a stereo mic in front of us and a video camera behind us. FWIW, you can see the audience reaction I described. (P.S. I'm moving to a mid-size metro area so this thread is helping me plan for a project in the new locale.)