Re: Mandolin in the Hospital???
Not a hospital, or even technically a nursing home, but an assisted living facility, is where my dad spent the last several years of his life. As time wore on and it seemed progressively more clear that he was not going to be able to put into action oft-discussed plans for a visit here, which would have included attending at least one show by one of my bands, it became progressively more clear that I should bring the music to him. One of my oldest and best friends, and former member of a band up there, was supervisor in the maintenance department at the facility. A couple of years ago, I found a date and time when I would be up visiting, during my family's annual reunion, on which my friend would be at work, and asked him to bring his harmonicas into work. We met up at my dad's rooms, along with my brother and sister-in-law, and without much to-do and no rehearsal, launched into a performance of several of my songs. They were variations of the blues, common ground for us, with one exception - a bluegrass number, one of my friend's favorites and a request, which I performed solo. My dad was hard to read, and not effusive in compliments, but he did seem to enjoy the private concert. I recorded this on my cell phone, and sent CDs to all attendees. My dad was less than tech-savvy, so he had a hard time figuring out how to play it, though a friend helped him sort it out. At any rate, it was an opportunity to bring music into an environment that was not exactly conducive to it. My dad passed last year; the anniversary of his passing is coming up. I'm glad he was able to hear at least some of my music.
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
Furthering Mandolin Consciousness
Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!
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