Last month, the mid week jam in a village near the Lake of the Ozarks convened again in a community retirement facility. As usual, our afternoon gig was held in the dining hall to accommodate the crowd of listeners who received us graciously. Following our performance of hoedown tunes, sing-alongs, and instrumentals, an elderly resident walked-up to us to say hello. With appreciation, she commented that at age 91 years old, she enjoyed our gospel tunes the most. The band thanked her for the lovely feedback, and we then regrouped for a gig photo at the festively decorated doorway to the sunny back patio.
Later that week, the Gainor & Friends jam band performed on Sunday afternoon at our hometown Broadway Brewery. During the gig, an elderly gentleman ambulating with a walker slowly proceeded to a front row table under the watchful eye of his granddaughter. After they had ordered their mid day meal, the granddaughter approached the bandstand and reported that her grandfather, who had celebrated his 100th birthday 3 months previously, wanted to hear the traditional song “Oh Shenandoah.” This tune is a sentimental favorite in the Show-Me State because of its lyrics, ” Oh Shenandoah, I long to see you/ Away, we`re bound away, across the wide Missouri.” It was a delight for us to render this treasured Heartland anthem for our century-old listener and his granddaughter.
At the brewpub on Sunday afternoons, our favorite and most faithful listener (seen foreground above) misses our performances so infrequently, that we made him an ex officio member of the band. We routinely invite him to join us at our mid afternoon snack break for fun conversation.
.From the BRC: We are blessed with precious audiences.
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