The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #39434   Message #566515
Posted By: Jerry Rasmussen
06-Oct-01 - 10:21 PM
Thread Name: Spirituals in Contemporary Performance
Subject: RE: Spirituals in Contemporary Performance
Hi, John: You know who loves to listen to spirituals and gospel music? People in nursing homes and health care centers. There is a whole audience out there, who would love to hear you. I've sung in nursing homes for the last thirty years, by myself and with my gospel quartet, the Gospel Messengers. We always encourage residents and health care staff to contribute, too. It's a beautiful experience, and while the pay is not monetary, it's the best paying job in town. It took me a little time to get beyond my initial discomfort to see the strength, faith, love and good humor of people whose lives have been stripped down to the essentials. I always feel like I have been lifted far more than the people I sing for, when I leave.