Bob Plack
As
a youngster I learned a few chords on the guitar and words
to cowboy, country, western and folk songs of the 1930’s
through the 1950’s. This provided self-entertainment
throughout my working career as an electronics engineer.
Upon retirement in 1989, I renewed my interest in music
and later joined the Arizona Pickers and Grinners Society,
a local organization that promotes country and folk music.
As I developed my stage persona, I began entertaining at
cookouts, hayrides and other local business conventions.
I established my performance rates at $60 per hour.
Subsequently, I discovered the need for entertainment in
nursing homes and found pleasure in entertaining the residents.
Since most residents are elderly, they relate to the music
from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. I approached
several of the well-known nursing facilities and received
little interest from the majority of activity directors,
even though I offered discounts approaching 65%. As a result,
my nursing home performances were limited to two or three
a month for those who realized the therapeutic value of
such entertainment.
Recently,
I became aware of Audrey’s Angels through a contact
with the Arizona Pickers and Grinners Society. Audrey’s
Angels arranges entertainment for small adult care homes,
and due to their scheduling, I now perform at as many as
seven additional locations each month while rotating through
a much larger listing of adult care homes that depend on
Audrey for entertainment. I know Audrey is operating on
a minimal budget, and I offer my services at the discount
rate mentioned above, which after taxes, travel and equipment
expenses offers little, if any, economic benefit.
There
is, however, a feeling of elation in seeing the residents’
reactions to melodies and lyrics they remember and enjoyed
during their youth. They express their gratitude for this
entertainment by singing along, laughing at humorous lyrics,
clapping in time and sometimes crying when a particular
song brings back sentimental memories. I receive hugs and
many a tearful “Thank You” after each appearance.
Audrey’s Angels fills a need that I believe has been
long neglected, and I hope to be a part of helping them
to continue the service.
Sincerely,
Bob Plack
The Campfire Cowboy
FAYOLA ASH, B. Mus.,
M.A., Organ
1206 Snyder Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
6621 E. Kelton Lane, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
It has been my pleasure to be a part of Audrey’s Angels,
not for the small remuneration that amounts essentially
to gas money, but for the feeling that I am bringing some
of God’s love, beauty, and joy into the lives of people
who are isolated because of age-related physical or mental
disabilities. The satisfaction that comes from their responses,
and sometimes even participation, to my music is what underlies
my participation in Audrey’s Angels.
Fayola Ash
Jack Wells
I've enjoyed the challenge
of playing piano in different venues with Audrey’s
Angels. I believe they have tapped a new “market,”
going to the smaller facilities that have no activities
director to book entertainment.
It really is a musical ministry of sorts and stimulates
memories in the elderly when they hear a familiar old tune.
I really think they ran out of melodies around 1970. Some
of the best music was written during the WW II years. Occasionally,
you'll hear a foot tapping with the music and humming–some
will even break out singing when they hear their favorite
song. It’s not always the applause that shows their
appreciation.
Sincerely,
Jack E. Wells
Marlene and Virgil
Cole
The Honey Dews
10419 North 65th Avenue
Glendale AZ 85302-1018
Audrey’s Angels has realized there is a need for a
change of pace in adult care homes. Many of them have no
entertainment other than television. We are among others
who have started providing this service for Audrey’s
Angels when our schedule permits.
Residents in these homes may seem “out of it,”
but some of them tap their feet or make motions with their
hands or head. Some even join in with the tunes. It is rewarding
to see smiles or other indications that one is getting through
to the residents.
Naturally most entertainers require a reasonable fee for
their services. It is costly to buy and maintain musical
equipment. One must also have a vehicle with which to haul
the equipment. Of course, the vehicle must be maintained
and have fuel to get around to these locations. It is difficult
to find musical entertainers willing to serve for a small
return for their efforts, but the rewards to us are great.
All of the adult care home owners are interviewed before
we come. Entertainment must be appropriate. Audrey’s
Angels staff coordinates everything between the adult care
homes and the entertainers as far as the best times to do
the entertaining.
If there are any questions or concerns you would like to
contact us about in this regard, please feel free to do
so.
Sincerely,
Marlene and Virgil Cole
Music from the Past
Mary Tassi
There are so many times that I have been blessed by playing
at adult care homes, but there is one home that has touched
me in ways I will never forget.
Ken was unable to move his limbs or speak without concentrated
effort. If there were a fly in the room, it always seemed
to land on his face, and Ken was unable to react quickly.
I teased him that he must be the sweetest person there since
the flies always went to him. One day, as a joke, I brought
a fly swatter and told him that flies would stay away just
by seeing it. Ken clutched it in his one good hand, and
as I began to play a waltz, he moved the fly swatter in
perfect rhythm to the music. I said, “Ken, it looks
like you’re director of a band.” His eyes brightened
and he struggled to respond. “I did–I directed
a symphony.” He had been a working musician until
he was disabled by a stroke.
Then there was Mary, age 92. Each time I came, she would
tell me of how she played the piano as a girl. As her father
was very strict, he would not allow her to play any popular
songs of the day other than Irving Berlin’s “Always.”
I would always close my time with them by playing that song,
knowing that Mary was transported back to another time through
music.
The last time I played
at the home, Ken had passed away. Mary had fallen and was
in the hospital. There was a new couple there. The wife
was alert and coherent, but the husband was unaware of his
surroundings. She burst into tears when I began to sing
“Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and took her husband’s
hands in hers and kept saying, “Thomas, do you hear
that?” I stopped singing, as I didn’t want to
cause her any more distress. She told me that “Let
Me Call You Sweetheart” was the song sung at their
wedding 62 years before. Her tears were from knowing that
her husband didn’t even know who she was now. I began
to just play the song without singing, and watched her rock
back and forth while holding her husband’s hands.
I knew that she was in another place and remembering when
Thomas knew her better than anyone else.
I know how music
can touch lives, but I have had the opportunity to witness
how music from the past can rekindle emotions and memories
in powerful ways.
Audrey's
Angels gives me this opportunity that I may not otherwise
experience.
