When the Audience Makes the Performance

Subject: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 09:36 AM

He came in late. Not that he had much of a say in the matter. He had to wait until someone came and wheeled him into the room. By the time he arrived, I was just about set up to start performing. I was singing at an adult day care program at the Jewish Home For the Aged in New Haven, Connecticut. It's a place where I sing several times a year, and even though it is a Jewish Home, I do a program of gospel music. The Home is smack-dab in the center of one of the poorest sections of New Haven, and there is a large, black community in the immediate neighborhood.

As I was setting up, songs floated around the room. There was a very small elderly black woman, bent over in her chair who held tightly to the bars of her walker, quietly singing "In the Cross" too herself, and I could hear someone singing a gospel song in the Men's Room at the far end of the social room where I was about to sing.

When they wheeled the man in at the last moment, they parked him directly in front of me, less than ten feet away. He was a heavy-set black man, younger than most of the audience, with a large, round smiling face. I had walked around the room, greeting people and talking with them, but it was time to start singing, so I had no chance to go over and say hello to the man in the wheelchair.

Every time I perform at the Jewish Home, the audience is different. It may be the same people, but they are in a different frame of mind.
Most of the time, they like the upbeat, rhythmic songs, and some of the people get up to dance. For a moment, they set aside their canes and do a modified buck and wing, balancing precariously, carefully shifting their weight from one foot to the other. Some get up and dance, holding on to their walker. Their steps are small, and they may only be able to lift their feet just enough to move them, but they've still got the rhythm. Yesterday, the audience was quieter, and despite the staff member's determined effort to get everyone clapping along with even the slowest of songs,
the response was much more subued. There were three men playing cards at a table hidden from the line of sight by a wide pillar. Every once in a while, one of them would lean around the pillar to watch for a moment, and at the end of the songs, they'd shout their
approval.

As I sang, I looked around the room, singing to everyone. Some seemed lost in thought with their head down, but I'd notice that their lips were moving to the chorus of the song, even though most of the songs I did were ones that I've written, that they didn't know. Even though I sang for everyone, my eye would always return to the man in the wheel chair. He didn't move a muscle, but he had
a beatific smile on his face the whole time, and I could tell how much he was enjoying the music.

After I finished the program, I immediately went over to talk to the man in the wheelchair. When I walked up to him, I smiled at him and said, "When ever I perform, I want to take you with me!" and his smile broadened. He didn't speak, and I'm not sure whether he can talk. But, he said more with that smile than a politician could say in a year of Novembers.

So many times when I perform, it's the audience that makes the performance. It's not how long I've practiced in preparation, or the cleverness of my set list (I usually don't do one.) It's not how "good" I am. Sometimes, it's not about me, at all. People talk about how generous a performer is. They rarely comment on how generous an audience is. Every performer knows how hard you have to work when you get an audience that isn't receptive. It can be a long night for the performer, just as much as for the audience. But, a generous, receptive audience can bring out the best in a performer. They can make the night. Or the afternoon.

Jerry

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: GUEST,John Davidson
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 09:44 AM

Jerry,

What a lovely piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this.

I too play care homes and hospital wards. Patients, residents and visitors often have little to be cheery about, but will work with me to make the hour or so that I play an ejoyable experience.

I remember playing at a spinal injuries unit a couple of years back. The man that made my day was relatively young and very paralysed. All he could do was wink when he had enjoyed a song. I have never felt so humble and grateful for my "lot".


John

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 09:46 AM

On eof those magic moments when it all comes together. Yes - the right audience can make a performance great. An unresponsive audience can kill it.

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Beer
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 09:55 AM

Thanks for sharing Jerry.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: PoppaGator
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 10:59 AM

Hi Jerry; it's been a while since I heard from you. (I've been in-and-out of here myself lately, so I don't know if you've been relatively inactive, too, or if we've simply been missing each other. I've certainly missed your contributions...)

Anyway, what a great, inspiring message!

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Peace
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:01 AM

Great to 'see' you again, Jerry.

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:23 AM

Thanks: I just reports 'em like I sees 'em.

Jerry

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:28 AM

That's a beautiful piece of writing, Jerry. As beautiful as the smile you managed to put on that man's face. :0)

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: GUEST,kt not logged in
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:40 AM

Jerry, great to see you here again!

KT

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Big Mick
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:43 AM

Where you been, brother??? I saw the Patons earlier this year and Caroline wondered how you were doing.

I know the feeling of that moment. I was singing at a Home For The Blind, and this one lady, so beautiful in her old age that one had to just wonder why so many young folks can't see that beauty is made up of physical looks and wisdom and an interesting life, just was getting lost in the music. Much like you, I had to speak to her. In conversation she told me of her life with her husband, a Dutchman. So I grabbed the 12 string and sang The Dutchman to this rare beauty. As I sang the place names, she would nod her head and tears rose in her eyes. When I was done, she rose, kissed my cheek and left.

I have never been paid in such currency, nor so well. I will never forget the moment.

Stick around, we miss you when you are not here.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:56 AM

Jerry, thank you for putting a beatific smile on my face this morning. I'll wear it all day. And welcome back; I've missed your marvelous threads.

Claire

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 12:36 PM

Oh, the touching thing about the smiling man in the wheelchair is that when I talked to him, he didn't speak, other than through his eyes. I don't know if he can.

After I sang, my wife and I were sitting down, having a cup of coffee and a piece of sugar-free cake. Hannah, the woman who runs the program, asked us if we wanted a glass of root beer with ice cream in it. She didn't know what they called it (she clearly is not from the Midwest,) so I asked, "Do you mean a Root beer float?" and she answred, "Yes, I think that's what they call it."

While we were sitting there, I looked up and saw that my smiling friend was being wheeled away, happily sipping his root beer float through a straw. What an image! He reminded me of the deaf-mute friend of Mister Singer in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.

Where are the audiences? They're waiting for you.

Jerry

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 02:07 AM

I have always found it harder to perform in front of a dozen than in front of hundreds.

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: mandotim
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 02:58 AM

Reminds me of a wonderful moment at a festival, when a young deaf girl asked our double-bass player if she could 'feel the music'. She snuggled up to the bass for the rest of our set, with her eyes closed and a look of sheer joy on her face. Still breaks me up thinking about it.
Tim

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 03:49 AM

From Jerry: "Oh, the touching thing about the smiling man in the wheelchair is that when I talked to him, he didn't speak, other than through his eyes. I don't know if he can."


Words spoken from our eyes contain no lies.

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 05:16 AM

Good to have you back, Jerry!

You are right about the quality of some audiences. It is also a good idea never to assume that you are going down badly...even at gigs where people are talking through your set. There will always be people who restore your faith afterwards.

I remember one time when a man in the audience suddenly pulled a mouth organ from his pocket and played the most beautiful and sensitive accompaniment to one of my songs. I wish I had had a recording of that night! Certainly made that occasion!


Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 04:50 PM

You got that one right, Pete:

A good example of missjudging how much an audience is enjoying a performance was a concert I did many years ago at John Henry's Hammer in Massachusetts. Every assumption that I made was wrong. For starters, I wasn't expecting a big turn out, because I am not a "BIG" name. I was startled (and flattered) when the place filled up to the point where they had to start cannibalizing other rooms to get enough chairs. Man, did I feel good! So much for feeling good. As soon as I started the first set, everyone quieted down.
Died, actually. There was no discernible sign of life in the audience, other than shallow breathing. The applause was half-hearted after each song, and no one laughed at funny lines, or showed any sign of movement in more energetic songs with a strong beat. They were acting like a major league dugout after someone hits an unlikely homerun, and they give him the silent treatment when he comes back into the dugout. I never worked so hard, with less success. At least as far as I could tell. After a few songs, I started eyeing up the nearest exit. I had the feeling that half the audience was, too.

After the concert, when I was hoping to slink out un-noticed, the audience suddenly came alive. They wanted to talk, and I stood around a long time, very confused. I ended up selling more records that night than I ever had, or ever have. Driving home, I thought,
"well.. that was weird." It only goes to show.

If you judge audience response by clapping, laughing or other physical reactions, you're likely to get it all wrong. If you TRY to get the audience to respond in that way, you're dead in the water.
That doesn't mean that someone who sits their without showing any sign of appreciation doesn't appreciate your music. They may not show it.

In the long run, it's not necessary to know how much people enjoyed the evening. You just hope that they do.

Jerry

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 11:17 PM

"If you judge audience response by clapping, laughing or other physical reactions, you're likely to get it all wrong."

I am no fun like that too as an audience member.

When I was in in theatre, some nights you could almost cut the air with the feeling and you knew you were going great. I mean even the backstage crew could FEEL it.

Other nights, you would think the venue had been mistaken go the morgue. However, it was often then those QUIET (taking everything in) audiences that demanded the most encores - you can tell from the enthusiasm of the clapping.

I think, Jerry, that, especially compared with some other previous performers they may have endured, they were just stunned by the calibre of your talent, and didn't want to upset you by even breathing. They may also have been nervous, impressed by your talent, which would explain the feeling you were getting of 'gotta get put of here'.

At least, that's what I tell myself when things go that way.... :-P

:-)

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: alanabit
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 05:53 AM

I had already been in hospital for some weeks back in 1986. It was autumn, and I was making the slow recovery from hepatitis B, which had nearly done for me. After two or three weeks, the staff had allowed me to have my guitar, so I began practising again. One day, a nurse came in to ask me to play in another room for a couple, who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. I went into that room and it was pretty obvious that this marriage was soon going to end the only way that a successful marriage can.
There was a calm joy in that room of a satisfied, fulfilled life. She lay there on a drip, smiling up at her man and his twinkling eyes carried the same message back as he held her hand. It was a rare privelege to be invited into this most intimate of moments. I found a couple of songs, which I thought they might have known from their younger days and those eyes just kept beaming back. When I left, the man pressed a five Mark coin into my hand as he thanked me. I later asked a nurse to put it into one of their charity tins. You don't need double payment for an experience like that!

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 06:22 AM

Wonderful story, Alan.

Jerry

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 09:23 AM

As for artificial insemination of audience response, it is rampant in black churches. If you flip past the mass choirs singing on the black gospel channels, you're likely to see the lead singer raising his hands above his head and clapping like a seal, urging the audience to clap along. If you don't clap along, you look a little suspect. I had a very telling experience in that regard, a couple of years ago. I, my friends Joe and Frankie sing in the Men's Chorus. The Chorus was invited to sing in a small black church on one of their revival nights. The group that got up before us put on a "show." Their lead singer strutted down the aisle with a cordless mic., encouraging/pressuring everyone to clap along and get "in the spirit." On top of that, he tried to break the congregation up into two sides; each singing part of the chorus. It fell pathetically flat. The Men's Chorus sang next. We learn harmonies by ear, and just have a piano accompaniment. Most gospel groups have drums, a bass guitar, a lead guitar and keyboards, as a minimum. I was asked to lead a song that we do titled Trouble In My Way. We didn't encourage anyone to clap hands, I definitely didn't strut down the aisle with my mic, and I didn't even suggest that people sing along. We just sang the song. As the congregation got into it, people were on their feet dancing, and everyone was singing along on the chorus and the responses in the verses. I thought that the roof was going to come off the church. When we were done, we just quietly filed back into the pews, but the congregation wasn't ready to stop singing. The Pastor got up with a big grin on his face and said, "I guess some of you know about having trouble in your way," and that really set everybody off. Finally I had to start singing again, because nobody wanted to stop.

The "audience" made the performance. I didn't try to generate any artificial excitement by trying to get everyone to stand up and start clapping their hands. The audience did what they wanted to do.
And what they didn't do with the previous group.

The same thing happens in concerts of every kind, whether it's folk, country, doo wop, R & B (but not classical music.)

Clap along with Mozart.

Jerry

Subject: RE: When the Audience Makes the Performance
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 09 Aug 08 - 04:50 PM

Great tale Jerry.

Of course, one notable example of the audience making the performance is the Glasgow Empire....now just a memory! The general comment amongst the music hall and vaudeville artists was, "If they like you...they'll let you live!" Many an up and coming star either made their name or met their come-uppance there!

Best wishes,

Peter