Today, I played for a memory care community in Rye, NH. As residents started filling in the room, I realized..I had absolutely no idea who was a resident and who was a guest.. In the front row, a couple sits together in a big, comfy, turquoise blue, love seat that is always in the same spot. They have sat together in the same spot every show I've done all year. They sing with me and laugh with me and the older gentleman knows every resident who walked in by name. I assumed the lady next to him was his wife and she also seemed to know every resident and staff member by name and even helped to rearrange the furniture after the show had ended. Memory care doesn't necessarily look the way people imagine it looks. You might expect residents to look frail, confused, or obviously impaired. But then you encounter residents like this couple in the front row. Carrying on perfectly normal conversations, dressed beautifully, and completely engaged with what was happening around them. As I played my guitar and sang, I realized, it didn't matter who was a resident and who wasn't. Once the music starts , you're not really concerned with identifying folk's cognitive abilities. You're looking for engagement. Everyone singing? Everyone smiling? Then someone's telling me a story about growing up in a small town 60 years ago and hearing this song in school... By the end of the show, I still couldn't tell you who was a resident and who was a guest. But I could tell you who was having a great time. And really, as a performer, that's the part that matters.

I've received some interesting comments on my Youtube channel about the philosophy of payment when it comes to performing at senior communities and wanted to share my experience with The Performer's Circle and perhaps shine some light on this topic. Here's my breakdown... 80% Mail me a check 10% Pay me with a check same day or cash 10% Offer a direct deposit to my bank account. Most senior communities do not have the ability to pay me the same day of the show. This is a standard policy for a performer to submit an invoice and be paid anywhere from 2-4 weeks after the show. Additionally, you may need to supply them with a W9 and a signed contract. Be sensitive and flexible if a community has not paid you. It's not the resident's fault and they are expecting to see you and enjoy a show. Try to work with them❤️ When I balance my books at the end of every month, I'm expecting that each community I performed the month before will have paid me. When it comes to income, I'm always expecting to receive income from last month's shows. What has been your experience with payments?

Not sure if these types of places are available in all parts of the country, but it seems that we have one in all of the nearby towns. These are places where independent seniors gather for various activities like exercise classes, ukulele classes, guitar classes, crafts, entertainment and a low cost lunch. I am booking a pro-bono gig there for next month. I went there today to photograph a local city council woman giving a talk there, but unfortunately one of the senior guests had some sort of medical emergency right before the event. The event was postponed until next week, but I ran into the activities coordinator on my way out. LOL, she had just responded to an email that I sent her the day before and actually wanted to meet me. I also volunteered to photograph some VIP seniors in their 90s at a celebration at the end of next month. This place is less than a mile from my home, so I am hoping to become one of their regular entertainers. My only concern is that this venue is very large and I will be performing during the lunch hour in what is basically a restaurant for the seniors. Any suggestions for songs for this type performance? I will also ask the director if the folks prefer the music lively or mellow for lunchtime entertainment.

Everybody is at a different point in their journey and I'm curious what people might need the most help with? Wishing all of you a melodious Wednesday. Go out and shine your love and light!!❤️