Getting nursing home gigs

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 04:47 AM

Rita, most nursing homes don't have a lot of folks with infectuous diseases--any more than a school or church does.  Folks are there to recover from broken hips, etc., or to be supervised by RNs in their daily activities because they need vital signs monitored (e.g., for diabetes, high blood pressure) and/or  supervision due to memory loss or other dementia.  When residents do catch a communicable disease like the flu, they tend to stay in their rooms while they recuperate.  Sometimes, though, "the flu" will kind of sweep through the home--as it might in a school; when this happens, they usually cancel entertainment programs.

I'd suggest addressing these, quite natural, concerns of yours with the folks who are thinking of hiring you.  They'll know how likely this is to be a problem at their particular faciltiy.  You may want to steer away from the Alzheimer's units, though, since folks with great cognitive impairment are often far less hygenic in their behavior than higher functioning residents are.  (Some of them, in fact, are likely to hug or kiss you or touch you in other unanticipated ways, which could be a problem when you have a compromised immune system.)  On the other hand, if you play for assisted living or independent living facilities, there would probably be no problem.  These folks are, for the most part, just old.

-----------------

Re charging some kinds of organizations/facilities and not others:  Yes, I think you can do this.  But I would base the decision on whether the org. usually pays for entertainment or not, and on the other perks you may get for singing there.  For instance, a lot of senior centers really don't have a budget for entertainment (except a small amount for holiday programs).  They tend to be more like co-ops than for-profit businesses, and the seniors who frequent them often provide the entertainment themselves.  On the other hand, they can be great places to network and drum up other business--and maybe sell CDs.

In my experience, the various Jewish organizations and the Masonic lodges, etc., not only pay for entertainment, they pay a higher hourly rate than most nursing homes do.  There again, though, you might sell CDs and drum up clients for private parties, etc., by doing a volunteer program.

You still may encounter expectations of your being "a volunteer musician," though, if the staff of a nursing home know that you perform free for the local B'nai Brith or Masonic lodge.  I'd recommend asking for some sort of honorarium for all of them, even if it's not a huge amount, if you want to establish yourself as a professional musician.

----

Marion, I took Ted's comment about the kitchen staff as relating to what I had said (early in the thread) about a kitchen staffer giving me grief about wanting to get the temperature down below 80 degrees.  Maybe he was referring to the staffer who played your violin.  Or maybe both.

What your mother describes is very much the kind of approach that I think especially merits being paid by the nursing home--especially if she puts together her own songbooks (which can take a lot of time).  She is providing the facility and its residents a program specifically geared to their needs--exactly what the state agencies say nursing homes need to provide.  This is quite different from  a performer just taking out a couple of hours to drop in and do one of their routine sets for the group with no attempt to accommodate the residents' tastes, requests, etc.  (The latter can be quite entertaining, but the home can also put on an audio or video tape if they just want to hear really good music.  You don't get the interaction with the residents and the group participation from that, though.)

And, yes, I do find it "funny" -- and quite telling -- that a facility would hire musicians to entertain their staff but use only volunteers to provide entertainment and music therapy to their residents (who, in one way or another, pay the bills!).

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: musicmick
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 03:17 PM

I have found that volunteering and charging are incompatable. This goes double for someone who is trying to establish a reputation and a client base. There are appropriate venues for volunteering music. There are benefits where many professionals give their time and talents to a cause. At such events, no one is paid. This includes staff as well as performers. Try singing for telethons or charitabile functions. That way, you will be donating your talent without jeopordising your professional standing. Jewish orginizations, Masonic lodges, community events not only have money for entertainment, they provide the lion's share of my income. It is an inescapable fact, you must be prepared to STOP singing for free if you want to get paying jobs. (The only exeptions are auditions and showcases.) And dont let anyone give you that bull about "...It will be good exposure". As Dave Van Ronk used to say, "Exposure is what a folksinger dies of, sleeping in a doorway."

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: musicmick
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 03:24 PM

I have found that volunteering and charging are incompatable. This goes double for someone who is trying to establish a reputation and a client base. There are appropriate venues for volunteering music. There are benefits where many professionals give their time and talents to a cause. At such events, no one is paid. This includes staff as well as performers. Try singing for telethons or charitabile functions. That way, you will be donating your talent without jeopordising your professional standing. Jewish orginizations, Masonic lodges, community events not only have money for entertainment, they provide the lion's share of my income. It is an inescapable fact, you must be prepared to STOP singing for free if you want to get paying jobs. (The only exeptions are auditions and showcases.) And dont let anyone give you that bull about "...It will be good exposure". As Dave Van Ronk used to say, "Exposure is what a folksinger dies of, sleeping in a doorway."

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 11:15 PM

Good line by Dave Van Ronk, Mike, Right on the money!

Performers can, BTW, suffer from too much exposure. It happens to actors, rock stars, TV "personalities", etc. all the time-- and sometimes to folks on the retirement home circuit.

When I first contact a new facility, I'm often met with "Oh, great! We're always looking for new entertainers!" That's a welcome line when you're the "new entertainer," but it's also an omen. Some places will stop hiring you after the "new" wears off just because you're not new any more! Good reason for getting paid for the time you are in the public eye (whatever "public" that may be).

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: musicmick
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 01:01 AM

Dont you believe it, Genie. Recreators value dependability and predictability above all other traits. Sure, they want new acts but, if you have done a good job for them, they will hire you again and again. Fortunately, there are lots of facilities whiich means an almost unlimited market. I rarely work at a facility more than twice a year, but with hundreds od nursing homes. retirement communities, senior centers, schools, libraries, synagogues, orginizations and associations within a thirty mile radius, I dont have to worry about not playing at a particular venue more often than once or twice a year. What you need to do is expand your market to provide you with enough work all the time. Have you found the agents in your area yet? If you write me directly, I can offer some specific ideas for you. You have a fine attitude and you seem to understand the nuances of this crazy business.

Mike

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 01:20 AM

Depends on the facility and the activity director, Mike.

I never ceases to amaze me how an AD at one facility will hire the same one or two musicians once or twice a month (sometimes twice a week) for decades, while another AD at a comparable facility will say s/he doesn't like to hire the same person more than 2 or 3 times a year because "our residents like variety." Even at the same facility, the tune can change when the AD changes.

Some ADs have the (unfortunate, I think) habit of hiring a person very frequently when they are "new" and then dumping them for someone else when, predictably, the residents start asking for something different for a change. (I'm talking independent and assisted living residences here, not nursing homes and Alzheimer's facilities.)

You're right, though, that in metropolitan areas there are enough places to play that you don't have to rely on playing at the same place more than a few times a year.

In my case, about 40% of my income is from regular clients, for whom I play 6 to 100 times a year. These save me a lot of paperwork and phone calls--but if one drops you (or goes bankrupt), it leaves a big void to fill.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 09:31 PM

Marion, here's a tip about getting re-hired by the same facility after you've performed there.  By all means, contact the activity director for feedback and to try to re-book ASAP after you perform.  There are several reasons for this:

 - There's high turnover in activity directory positions.  Wait 2 or 3 months and the one that hired you may very well be gone, and your "track record" with her/him.

 - Many ADs book far in advance.  You need to be aware of which ones do this, of course.  But some will tell you they book month to month, and then they'll one day get ambitious and book the rest of the year in June.  If you didn't happen to call them while they were doing that booking, you may well be left out.  (Yes, some of them do kind of take a first-call-first-booked approach.)

 - Many of your clients -- the audience members,that is -- have short-term memory deficits.  If performer X has sung for them 18 over the past 3 years and you come to sing for them once, and they adore you, the residents may very well ask the AD to invite you back--if they are asked right away.  What do you expect happens when, 3 to 6 months after you were there, the AD asks them "Who would you like to have sing for you?
 
 

One other tip about being invited or being invited back:  Some facilities  let resident councils choose the entertainment.
    If possible, determine who is likely to be on the resident council, and pay special attention to their tastes and preferences in your program.
    Some convalescent homes, e.g., will have a lot of low-functioning residents present in a sing-along or concert, as well as a few who are quite alert and verbal.   Guess which ones will be on the resident council.  So, if most of the residents respond best to "Jesus Loves Me," "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean," and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," but some of the younger, more alert, more vocal participants keep asking for Patsy Cline, Elvis and Garth Brooks songs, some ADs will let those more vocal residents choose the singers who do what they like, even if it does not engage the majority of residents.
(I'm not saying you should ignore the "silent majority"--just that you could do a program that was perfect for 90% of the residents and not be invited back as readily as you would if you tailored the entire program to the other 10%.)

It's not a bad idea to explore these issues with the AD, to find out how they decide whether and when to invite a performer back.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 02:13 AM

Hi Genie. You said, "Some ADs have the habit of hiring a person very frequently when they are "new" and then dumping them for someone else when, predictably, the residents start asking for something different for a change."

If you feel that an AD is booking you too much in a short period, do you suggest spreading the gigs out more?

Also, you said, "Some will ask for an audition. In those cases, I've learned to give them a tape instead."

Do you find people generally willing to accept the substitution?

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 01 Aug 02 - 03:06 AM

Actually, Marion, I seldom suggest to someone that they hire me less often than they suggest.  You never know how long a recurring gig will last (due to budget cuts, changes in staff, etc.), so take the jobs while they're being offered.  Besides, some places keep hiring the same performer twice a week for 30 years.  You just can't predict how the residents will respond to this kind of predictabiltiy/familiarity -- or how the AD will interpret the feedback s/he gets.
 
 
 

Re the tape "substitution," if they won't accept it I just stand my ground.  If they don't hire me, so be it. I haven't done that many auditions for nursing homes or retirement homes, but I have not found it worth while.

A couple of illustrations will show why.

-----------------
One facility kept asking for an audition and presented themselves as seeking someone to be a regular, monthly performer.  I agreed to the audition with the provisos -- which they accepted -- that
(1)  the activity director would be present for the full hour of my audition program, and
(2)  she would ask the residents immediately afterward -- at least within 24 hours -- whether they wanted me to return.
The day of the audition, I called to "check in," and was told the AD no longer worked there.  I was going to beg off, but the administrator assured me that she would observe the program in lieu of the AD and would poll the residents, as we had agreed.
I did the program, and the residents seemed to love it.  Lots of them came up afterwards to tell me how great it was and how much they wanted me to return.
But the administrator had gotten tied up and was not present for any of it.  (She could hear it somewhat from her office but could not observe the residents' response.)
Soon thereafter, the administrator herself left her position.  When I contacted the new AD, a few weeks later, she wanted -- you guessed it! -- an audition!
I explained to her what happened with the last "audition" (i.e., free program) I did for them, and all she could say was, "Well, that's our policy.  We won't hire anyone without an audition."

-----------------
In another situation, for an upscale retirement residence in Del Mar, CA, the administrator served as AD and required an audition.  When I showed up for the audition, there was virtually no audience.  A couple of folks came and sat in the lobby to listen, but most were out on a field trip.  Then two women (probably in their 70s) came in, with arms folded and expressions on their faces that seemed to say "We know you're going to suck.  Just try to change our minds."  I had no idea what their tastes were (and they wouldn't tell me), but it was Christmas season, and I had said I was going to do an international Christmas/winter/Hanukkah program, so that's what I started to do.  A few other residents were sitting around the periphery of the lobby, and some of them told me afterwards that they liked the program, but I started getting a bunch of diverse requests ("Do some Irish music."  "Sing "Danny Boy."  -- I don't even remember what they asked for, but it was all over the place), which I did my best to accommodate.  The two scowling women sat there, with arms still folded, for about 2 songs, then got up and walked out.
After the "audition," the administrator said she would talk to the residents, as was their custom, at next resident council, and see about booking me.  I expressed my doubts, given the body language of the two front-and-center residents.  She said, not to worry, that the music was great.
Sure enough, when she called me back she was most apologetic, saying that she thought I was wonderful, but that "those two grouchy ladies" had, in effect, blackballed me.  (Yeah, she could have been just "being nice," but I really think she was sincere.)
Had I been told (a) that I would be auditioning for such a small, unrepresentative group, and (b) that the decision to hire was not the administrators's but was a matter of NOT displeasing a couple of residents, I would never have done the audition.  After all, you can please 90% or more of the audience and still have a couple of people not "dig your act."

------------------

I've actually had a new AD take over in a facility where I've played several times a year over the past few years and actually ask me for an audition, because she hadn't heard me herself!

-----------------

I think auditions are reasonable for jobs that pay pretty well, but most nursing homes don't.  They also make sense if they're done for people who choose--and will continue, for a long time, to choose -- the acts that are hired.  But  staff turnover in nursing homes makes this unlikely.
In my own experience, I have not found it worth while.

I offer a satisfaction guarantee instead.  If they don't think I'm worth my price, they don't have to pay me.  (In well over 8,000 programs I've done, I've had only one person ask for her money back [and that was a bizarre situation that I won't bore you with].)   I also provide references.  If this is not enough assurance that my programs are worth at least what I charge for them, I just forget about trying to book that facility.

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 12:35 AM

Genie, can you explain a little bit about how your sliding scale works? How you you know which facilities are low-budget?

Also, you say that you provide references - do you mean that you provide names and phone numbers for them to call? Or do you get your references to write something down for you that you include with your brochure?

Thanks, Marion

PS Bizarre situations aren't boring, they're interesting...

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 02:40 AM

Marion, I really never know what a facility's overall budget is, but if it's a nursing home with mainly Medicare patients, it's probably not well funded, especially if it is a non -profit. If it's a residence owned by Holiday Retirement Corporation, SunRise Assisted Living Communities, or Marriott, on the other hand, the residents pay a lot to live there, and the facility can bloody well afford to pay a reasonable price for entertainment.

Most ADs are pretty straight with you about what they generally pay their entertainers. If they say all their budget can handle is, say, $30 for a 45-minute program, that is probably true. Note: The activity director can usually do little to increase his/her budget. The administrators probably could allocate the funds differently, but good luck trying to get them to do so. Even if the AD has made what I'd consider a bad choice-- such as spending the entire budget on Bingo prizes and having to use only volunteer musicians--it's hard to change his/her mind.

If I know they're paying, say, half of what many clients pay, I decide whether I'm willing to do a program for that price, and it depends primarily on how much it costs me in time and money to do it, plus whether the time conflicts with something I'd rather be doing (such as taking a higher-paying gig).

One place I do music in San Diego is a senior center near my parents' home (travel time about 20 minutes round trip). They can only pay $25 and give me lunch. (Senior centers usually are on a shoestring budget.) But I play for only 30 minutes; I play at noon, so it seldom conflicts with other work; I can play pretty much anything I want and they'll love it;they're a very sharp audience and are a delight to perform for; and getting the booking takes me about 5 minutes. I don't mind at all doing this gig for this price.

As for references, I'm actually seldom asked for them. Sometimes I just tell a prospective client the names of the facilities and ADs to call, and sometimes I fax them a list.

I want to start getting formal letters from ADs, though, if I can--if only to tell the new AD or the administrator of THAT facility that my prior programs have been well received! As I said, staff turnover is frequent, so it's often hard for someone to contact the AD who hired you last year and thought you were so wonderful. But ADs are also notoriously overworked, so getting them to find time to write a letter might be hard.

Genie

PS, The "bizarre situation" I referred to is not really a boring story--more a case of incredible audacity on the part of the AD!. But I've been too long-winded in these threads already, so I'll spare you this tale.

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: M.Ted
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 01:42 PM

You've pretty much painted yourself into a corner, Genie--you have to tell us--if you don't, I'll start a thread called "Ever been sked to give the money back?"--

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 02:57 PM

Just connecting some related threads.

click here

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 02 Aug 02 - 03:09 PM

One more thread, re the paid vs. volunteer issue: click here

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 12:09 AM

So with fees, you don't usually quote them a price, they quote you a price and you decide whether or not to take it?

And Genie, you mention that the AD might ask the residents, or residents' council, who they would like to have back. Do you make an effort to impress your name upon the audience, and if so, how?

Marion

PS There's only one thing more interesting than a bizarre situation, and that's a bizarre situation involving incredible audacity.

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 02:01 AM

Here is some very good "do-as-I-say, not-as-I-do" advice, Marion. (I do some of this. I need to get better at the rest.)

¥ Learn as many residents' names as possible, as quickly as possible.

¥ If there is a resident who is especially exuberant about your music, send her or him a card after your gig to say how much you enjoyed meeting her or him and how much you would love to be invited back. Include a photo flyer or card, if possible, or mention the "favorite song" of hers/his that you so enjoy singing. The resident will enjoy getting the card, and your bond with that resident will be strengthened (as well as their memory of you stimulated).

¥ Tell them your name often -- at the beginning and end of each program, for sure, and sometimes in between (e.g., when introducing yourself to individual residents).

¥ Have some flyers or business cards with your photo on them to give to individual residents or their families. They will often ask for them.

¥ When you contact the AD about re-booking, mention by name the resident(s) who told you how much they loved your program and really wanted you to return. (E.g., "I really enjoy doing music with your residents. Jack Murphy seemed so thrilled to hear "Where The River Shannon Flows" and came up to me afterwards to tell me he hoped I would come back again. And I promised John Ames that I would learn "The Sierra Petes" so I could sing it for him next time.")

¥ At the end of your program, if (when) the residents are coming up to you and saying, "I do hope you'll come to sing for us again," --especially if the AD is present --, tell them, quite candidly: "I would love to come back. It's up to you folks, though. If you tell [AD's name] that you want be back, I'm sure s/he'll invite me back. S/he tries to give you the programs you vote for."

------------

Yeah, Marion, re price, I generally quote them a price RANGE and say it's negotiable within that range. Usually, unless I have reason to believe it's a really low-budget facility, when I'm negotiating I start with my "standard" (i.e., next to highest) price and say "Is that what you're accustomed to paying?" If they say they generally have a lower ceiling, then I negotiate downward.

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 02:48 AM

OK, folks, for those of you just dying to hear my lengthy tale of being asked to refund payment for a gig, here goes:

The proprietor of a small adult foster home, based upon having heard me play and sing for folks at another group home where she had worked, called me to book a regular monthly sing-along/music therapy session for her residents.  She was, by her own and others' accounts, a zealous devotee of a fundamentalist Christian sect and preferred to emphasize religious music for her residents.

When I arrived for my first program, there were 4 or 5 residents present (I forget which).
-One relatively young man, who may have had some mental disorder but no dementia, asked me to play "The Blue Danube Waltz."  (I am not really an instrumental guitarist.)  When I did not know how to play it, he became very disgusted and went back to his room.
-One woman who was ca. 100 years old and in one of those reclining "geri-chairs" stayed asleep during the whole program.
-One woman who was probably late eighties or early nineties sang along with me on quite a few songs.
-Another woman of about the same age did not do much singing but seemed to pay attention to most of the songs.
-If there was another woman there, she was mostly like the last one I mentioned.

I tried out various kinds of music, including the oldie sing-alongs like "My Bonnie," "Take Me Out To The Ball Game," "Let Me Call You Sweetheart," and "You Are My Sunshine," to modest success.  Then I switched to hymns, and the proprietor seemed to really light up.  Together we sang "It Is No Secret," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," "Jesus Loves Me/He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," "In The Garden," "What A Friend," etc., and Stephanie (the proprietor) seemed delighted with the songs and with the response of the group.  We sang harmonies, got folks involved with the music, etc.  She proceeded to write me a check for the amount we had agreed on.

A month later, I drove back early from Seattle--having turned down one or two other engagements to do so -- for my previously scheduled second visit to the foster home.  When I arrived, one of Stephanie's workers, who was in charge that day, told me I was not on their schedule.

When I spoke with Stephanie the next day, she went into a tirade about how worthless my music was -- in particular, how my selection of songs to sing was not worthy of being anything but a free program.  I then reminded her of my "satisfaction guarantee" policy and asked why she had not said anything at the time of the first program.  She then pounced on the "money back" idea and began to demand a refund of the money she had paid me after that first performance.  But she would not tell me -- since she was denouncing my selection of material -- what kind of music it was she had been or was looking for!  She refused to give me any sort of specific feedback as to what was unsatisfactory about my music.  (Remember, she had heard me a few times before.)

I ended up writing her a letter stating that, while I would not have charged her for the program had she told me at the time that it was unsatisfactory, by failing to tell me that she was cancelling our "monthly bookings," she had cost me more than the amount she had paid me, so I would just consider it even.

Then she began to sort of "stalk" me in a weird way.  She wrote me several nasty letters, and she told me that she had "called around and learned that I had a reputation" for being lousy at this.  I made quite a few inquiries of my own and was unable to find any activity director who had even been contacted by her, much less anyone who said they were dissatisfied with my work.  Stephanie even told me that the proptietor of the group home where she had first heard me had told me she didn't like me and didn't want to keep hiring me.  Not only did that woman completely dismiss this as utter nonsense, but she continued to hire me many times a year for several more years.

It's possible that Stephanie just wanted to enhance her budget.  (Hence, the "opportunistic" epithet.)  Or she may have been a nut case.

One even more bizarre thing that may (or may not) tie into this is that something happened a year or so later that made me wonder if someone was calling around claiming to be me and saying who-knows-what?   There was a very upscale retirement community where I had played once when I first started doing this sort of job.  They hired musicians only 6 times a year and  had a long list of performers, so I didn't call them back for about 5 years.  Then, when I did call back, I was told, "You keep calling here, and we've told you that the residents said never to hire you again, and we've told you to stop calling, but you keep calling!"  Nothing I could say could persuade them that I had
¥ never been told I would not be rehired,
¥ never been told not to call back,  and
¥ not, in fact, called them in 18 months to 2 years.

In all probability, the confusion is just from having multiple staffers handling phone calls and performers with similar names (like the old children's game of "Gossip" or "Telephone").  But given Stephanie's other bizarre behaviors, I sometimes wonder...

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 11:17 AM

That was an interesting story, thanks. I'll be sure to avoid people called Stephanie, just in case.

Some more wonderings:

Are there ways other than the yellow pages to get names of facilities to call? I looked in the yellow pages and there were surprisingly few nursing homes listed - at least half a dozen nursing homes that I happen to know of weren't in there.

Do you think ADs from different facilities talk to each other?

Do you think it's easier to get work as one-person show or as a band?

I think you've mentioned, Genie, that you're not in the union. Do you have a contract that you ask the facilities to sign? Do you leave them an invoice to mail you your pay, or expect it on the spot?

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 02:36 PM

Well, at least try to avoid proprietors who are nut cases. ;- )

RE phone books: try "nursing homes," "convalescent homes," "retirement communities," "adult day care," "senior centers," and "assisted living" facilities.

Also contact whatever agency regulates nursing and adult foster home in your county. There may be a state agency, a county agency, and a city agency involved. They will have lists of facilities. Approach it as though you were looking for a home fo an aging parent, to get the widest array of facilities.

Do ADs talk to each other? If the facilities are owned by the same parent company, they often do. And some ADs know each other. They do sometimes ask each other for suggestions as to whom to hire (even occasionally calling another facility where they don't know the AD). In San Diego, there are a couple of associations of activity directors.
As in any business, remember that bad news travels faster than good. Unfortunately, when people like you or your product or service, they tend to tell YOU; when they hate it, they tend to tell EVERYONE else. (I'm talking about going out of their way to tell people about you. I think they will always tell someone what they think of you, good or bad, when they are ASKED.) This is why I advise getting letters of reference from folks.

I haven't joined the union. (I brought up some of my concerns in one of the other threads.) Still considering giving it a try.

Some place use contracts (at least confirmation forms), and I sometimes use them. Unfortunately, they're not of much help beyond being a reminder. If would cost you more in time and money to try to collect on them legally than your fee would have been, in most cases. I would strongly suggest signed booking confirmation forms for special occasions like St. Patrick's and New Year's Eve, though.

Most places either pay me at the gig or have me sign an invoice of their own and then send me a check. Quite a few others with which I have an ongoing relationship just send me my check (usually afterwards, occasionally beforehand) without my being involved in the paperwork. There can be as many as 5% of facilities that sometimes get real flaky about sending payment, and I've been stiffed a few times when a facility has gone out of business or gone into Chapter 11 while still owing me money. Try to get paid at the gig if you can.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: musicmick
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 10:38 PM

Wow, Genie, that is a horror story. I trust it is the exeption rather than the rule. I've had a few unhappy recreators, in my day. There are more horse's asses than there are horses. I think that the best protection an artist can have is an agent. As I mentioned before, any artist is better off paying an agent than dealing directly with facilities. Your tale of woe would have been more tolerable if someone else was dealing with that wifty Activity Director. In fact, even if you cant find an agent to book you, you might get a friend to do your talking for you. I have a manager who deals with all the agents and clients and I never have to put up with nuts like your Wicked Witch of the West. Even before I had a manager, I had my wife talk to clients, not to solicit jobs, just to represent me. A spokesperson tends to get more respect, I dont know why.

Mike

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 10:47 PM

Marion,

Here is one more suggestion for finding the type of venues Genie mentioned. I don't know whether your local paper has a Health page. The Washington Post has a health section every Wednesday and there are always ads for retirement homes, etc. Every three months they have a Seniors' edition with many, many ads.

For me this was helpful because I could get a "feel" for each facility from their ad and also some of them specifically mention organized activities or stated that they have an activities director.

Rita F

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 10:51 PM

Oh, also, last week I saw free copies of a small newspaper called "Seniors Bulletin," I think, that was being passed out at our corner drugstore. It's normally a subscription newspaper, they were trying to drum up business by giving it away. Naturally it contained a number of ads for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and retirement communities.

Your locality may have this kind of weekly paper. Specialty drugstores, the kind that carry medical equipment, etc, or are affiliated with a medical center, may also have this kind of seniors' bulletin.

Rita F

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: M.Ted
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 11:10 PM

There is a big directory of all the facilities in the country(probably Canada as well), key staff, and info on the corporate systems, etc--a friend who is a medical administrator xeroxed the pages for my area for me--unfortunately, she didn't copy the title page, so I don't know what it's called--it is out there though--there is a lot of turn over in the industry, so try to find a very recent edition--

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 12:49 AM

Go to http://www.newlifestyles.com/click here. This organization provides free directories of senior homes, centers, and services for a large number of geographic areas. (I imagine the advertisers --i.e., the listed homes and services-- foot the bill for the directories.

You will also find various free newspapers such as "Senior Life" in the lobbies of various retirement and nursing homes. Nearly all have ads for various facilities, and some even have directories in them.

Also, call call a couple of the larger facilities in your area and ask the administrator, the marketing director, or the activity director for information on where to find directories and other publications of this sort.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 01:00 AM

Mike, yes, thank goodness, that story describes a very rare kind of event. But I do run into various flaky, mean-spirited, neurotic, and otherwise strange people -- just as in any business. In particular, the assertive/persistent posture you sometimes have to take to get through "Cerberus" at the front desk can be a turnoff to the guard dog herself/himself, and if the guard dog has power (formal or otherwise) s/he can make it difficult for you to get booked or rebooked. This is why an agent would be such an asset. Not only is a good agent good at this, but if the agent alienates a prospective client, the bad feelings are dierected at the agent--not necessarily at the performer. The question is, though, will a good agent work for what you can afford to pay them?

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: musicmick
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 03:49 AM

Of course, a professional agent will not work for what he/she could make from commisions from your nursing home jobs. There are two alternative solutions you might try. You could find a theatrical agency that would be willing to place your name on their list of artists that they call for jobs. These agents would not be your representatives, per se, but they would be a source of jobs and, incidently, a buffer between you and the client. As I have mentioned, I work with half a dozen different agents who call me with varying frequency. Two agencies deal with the senior market, which includes nursing homes, retirement communities and religious orginizations. If Seattle doesn't have agents who operate in well defined areas (and I'll bet they are there), you will have to deal with general theatrical agencies (You will find them listed in the Yellow Pages and see their advertizements in local publications classified under "Entertainment".) OR you can find someone among your aquaintence who might like to get into the entertainment field but lacks the talent or the nerve to perform. The world is filled with people who see performing as glamourous and exciting. Come to think of it, I am one of those people. Making a responsible friend your spokesperson is a good idea. You will appear more professional to the clients if you are represented.

Mike

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 09 Aug 02 - 03:22 PM

Thanks for the further suggestions for finding facilities to call.

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 12:08 PM

First, Marion, Thank you for your link to the Heart and Soul Music thread.

(If anyone missed it, see Heart and Sould Music ... which I hope will end up as a blue clicky....)

The biggest factor I'm aware of right now in planning to do nursing and retirement home gigs is ... Sheer Terror. An old feeling of "Why would anyone want to have me come and make music for them?"

I think that deep down, I felt that if I sent a flyer to retirement/nursing homes offering to do music for pay, it would be seen as, "Doesn't she have a lot of chutzpah!"

Anyway, reading the Heart and Soul Music web site, I'm feeling less insecure. It is reinforcing the idea Genie and Mike have stressed, that you are doing a valuable service and should be paid for it.

After my first not-for-profit gig, there was a kind of snowball effect where I was called by people who had seen me, or read about me in the retirement community's newsletter, and asked me to sing for other organizations.

When the flood of referrals eventually dried up, I never pursued it. I always felt embarrassed and not worthy of all the praise my music was getting....

(At that time I was taking a lot more medications including prednisone for my heart transplant, and they do funny things to your emotions.... Besides I've been asked to a bit of performing at festivals since then and have developed a lot more confidence -- I think. :-)

BTW, Mike and Genie, my gigs two or three years ago were not for nursing homes but they did seem to contradict the "never sing for free" rule.

Most of the people I played for realized I should be paid for my time. If they didn't have an entertainment budget they said so up front. A few gave me the choice of being paid or not, understanding that if I didn't, the money would be available for the group's charity work. Others, who were not service organizations, just paid me. They were aware that I had been playing for free, and were aware of the kinds of not-for-profit organizations I played for, but they didn't assume I would -- or should -- play free for other groups.

Still, these were service organizations, not retirement, assisted-living, or nursing homes.

At one of my first gigs I was asked whether I was booked through a theatrical agency, so I know some organizations in this area do set up programs that way. Worth looking into.

Rita F

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 01:56 PM

Marion, the "flood of referrals" from your first gig is not surprising. (These places are, as the A. D.s often say, "always looking for new entertainers." and most will try you without an audition--especially if you're recommended by a prior client.)

But referrals are like seedlings. If you don't tend and cultivate them, they tend to dry up. By all means, keep the clients and prospective clients posted as to your interest and availability.

And if you go the agent route, tell us how that works out. I'm interested in hearing about your adventures in this kind of venue anyway.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 06:09 PM

Umm ... Genie ... that last post about feeling sheer terror et cetera came from Rita, not Marion.

Marion sounds as if she's doing various gigs these days and just looking into nursing homes as an additional venue, is this right Marion?

I haven't done gigs, except for Folklore Society of Greater Washington events and festivals, in a couple of years. I am feeling some serious anxiety about trying to go looking for work, as compared and contrasted with having it drop into my lap so to speak the way it did two years ago. :-)

BTW I was always the same way back when computer programming was my day job. I hated looking for work, and usually found jobs by word of mouth. So this is a definite challenge for me.

Rita

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 10 Aug 02 - 08:42 PM

Thanks for correcting that, Rita.
Actually, I knew that, and I was, in fact, thinking of you and your situation as I wrote the post. Somehow, when I entered the salutation, my brain short-circuited (like when my dad calls me by both my sisters' names before he finally gets it right).

I understand the hating to look for work. I hate "selling" so much that I believe I couldn't sell food to someone who hadn't eaten in a week. But it does get easier, the more you make yourself do it. Also, this kind of terror is a good reason to use a printed flyer and letter to introduce yourself and say you'd like to be hired. You can take your time composing it, and the recipient can't see your fear the way they might in person.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 11 Aug 02 - 04:06 PM

"I believe I couldn't sell food to someone who hadn't eaten in a week."

Yes, I'm turning my mind now to a flyer and letter. Also am looking for venues where I can try my wings, so to speak -- i.e. get a bit of experience and some "callouses" on my nerves.

Rita

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 13 Aug 02 - 04:00 PM

Rita, I'm working on my brochure too!

Here's another tip for finding facilities to call: I was looking for a "health page" in the newspaper, and I found the death notices and skimmed through them. I found half a dozen names of institutions.

I do have a paying gig once in a blue moon, but mostly I'm studying, jamming, busking, and dreaming. The reason that I'm planning on specializing in the senior's market right now is that while I hope to make my living from music, I feel a long way off from being able to play concerts as an "artist" or work as an instrumental hotshot. But maybe this way I can support myself as an entertainer while I work on becoming an artist; it's something I could learn to do in the short term, it wouldn't be smoky or sleazy, and it would provide me with some business/sound gear acumen. Although many of the songs that are seniors' favourites aren't really to my taste, some are, and I wouldn't mind singing the others if I see how much they are enjoyed.

Oh, and about volunteering vs. pay; for sure it is possible to get hired because of, or in spite of, playing for free. My friends' band got a monthly paying gig in a nursing home after volunteering there once the staff saw how much the residents loved them. However, I'm inclined to believe Genie and Mike when they say that volunteering is more likely to hurt than help your chances. My problem is that in the one nursing home where I've been volunteering regularly, the residents won't let me leave unless I promise to come back. I guess I have to keep volunteering there the rest of my life.

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Nobby
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 12:18 PM

A good thread. I would have thought that looking at the age of most of the folkies out there performing most of them are on a day out from their home when you see them . a sort of care in the community.So if you get a gig in an old folks home you are playing to the current main line acts and they will simply steal any good new material you play. Either that or before you know it you have a full blown session going.

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 03:23 PM

If there are any other Ontario people following this thread, here's a site to find facilities:

Ontario Residential Care Association

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 07:54 PM

Folks, I'd like to run my brochure by you for constructive criticism before I start printing up copies (I should note that after six long days of being in a working band I decided to launch a solo career).

So... an 8x11 sheet folded in three.

Page one:

Marion Parsons
Voice-Guitar-Violin
phone number
some graphics which I haven't decided on yet - maybe sheet music or drawing of instruments

Page two:

Marion Parsons specializes in musical programs which cater to the tastes and needs of senior citizens. These programs may take one of the following approaches:

SING-A-LONGS:
- songleading with guitar accompaniment
- material is entirely based on requests
- Marion provides large-print lyric books of well-known songs and rhythm instruments
- The tempo, pitch, and repetition of songs is aimed towards maximizing participation

PERFORMANCES:
- concert, or background for special event
- vocal, guitar, and violin selections; piano selections where piano is provided by the facility
- requests are honoured as far as possible
- songs are chosen from a wide range of genres and decades

OTHER:
- one-on-one room visits - "troubadour" approach (playing for shorter periods in many locations within a facility) - providing music for music therapy activities

page three:

Besides general programs that are appropriate at any time, Marion offers thematic programs:

-Christmas
-Valentine's Day
-St. Patrick's Day
-Christian or Jewish programs
-music for memorial services

Programs may be built around other themes on request.

pages four and five:

Sample Song List:

Sing-a-long standards
Classic popular songs
Instrumental selections
Country and folk tunes
Celtic ballads
Broadway themes
Sacred music

[and I would list six or seven sample titles in each category]

page 6

For further information or booking, please contact:

Marion Parsons phone number address email

Rates are negotiated according to the budget, location, and equipment needs of each facility. References and demo tapes are available upon request.

You'd hire me, wouldn't you ?:)

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 09:01 PM

Sure would, Marion!  *G*

Only one editorial comment:  Bill Gates's MS Word Spellchecker notwithstanding, "sing-a-long" is not a correct spelling of this word.  It can be a hyphenated word, "sing-along," or a compound word, "singalong," but it is not derived from the 3 words "sing," "a," and "long," as the Spell-checker spelling would indicate.*

(I think this widely perpetuated error started by someone looking at a dictionary entry that read "Sing-a•long."  The "•" indicates syllabication, not hyphenation, but in a small print dictionary, it looks like "Sing-a-long" if you don't look closely.  Once the error was incorporated into MS Word's Spellchecker, years ago, it spread like wildfire.  The more often it's printed that way, the more people think it's correct -- kinda like folks pronouncing "nuclear" "nucular.")

Sounds like you're all set to have a great business in doing music for seniors!

Genie

*I think this widely perpetuated error started by someone looking at a dictionary entry that read "Sing-a•long."  The "•" indicates syllabication, not hyphenation, but in a small print dictionary, it looks like "Sing-a-long" if you don't look closely.  Once the error was incorporated into MS Word's Spellchecker, years ago, it spread like wildfire.  The more often it's printed that way, the more people think it's correct -- kinda like folks pronouncing "nuclear" "nucular."

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 04:06 AM

Sorry about the duplication SNAFU above, Marion. Maybe a Joe clone will fix it and delete this post, too. I meant to substitute the footnote for the parenthetical explanation.

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 20 Aug 02 - 07:11 PM

Thanks Genie. Please see your PMs.

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Genie
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 02:20 AM

Marion, I just realized there's computer SNAFU in the post above re "sing-along." What the big dictionary gave was "sing-a¥long" -- i.e., a hyphenated word ("sing" with "along") with the second word broken into two syllables ("a¥long").

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 22 Aug 02 - 02:58 AM

Marion, about the graphics on page 1 of your flyer, what about a good black&white photo of you? (If such a thing exists....) It's always nice to give people a recognizable image.

Rita

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 03:32 PM

I was wondering - do you often meet other musicians who are also specialists in seniors' programs, and if so, under what circumstances do you meet them? I'd like to have friendly relations with the local competition so that we can exchange local tips (like what's the Toronto Stephanie's name?) and refer ADs to each other if we can't take a job. But unlike the club scene, it seems like one performer isn't likely to hear others' shows, nor would you see bands advertised on telephone poles.

PS to Genie: your bullet points show up as Ys with two lines through them on my computers most of the time. The post where you said there was a computer SNAFU is the one time it did show up normally as a little circle. Just for your information.

PS to Rita: I don't think photos copy very well, and I'd like to be able to photocopy my flyers instead of having them printed. A drawing would be better, but I've been asking around and haven't found anyone who knows how to draw yet... anyway, how's your brochure coming along?

PPS to Genie and all: I've been thinking that we need a new Mudcat expression: SNAFPU, meaning "Situation normal: all folk processed up." Do you like it?

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 06:51 PM

Marion,

My brochure is purely in the imaginary stage right now. This works for me, actually, since I'm trying on various layouts and approaches, mentally.

The fall craft show season is about to be upon us, and I have made NOTHING since April (Bill is going strong though and says we'll be OK); I have a teensy part time job as manager for data entry, renewals and membership cards for the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW) and I'm struggling to keep up with it; I'm program chair for the FSGW Getaway; and I volunteered to place the ads for one of our craft shows, which I have never done before. (Good experience though, and it will help Bill's sales if the ads are good.)

And, my energy is limited.

SO, movement on the music project is slow. I'm thinking of next spring -- or maybe I should try to get some gigs for Christmas music.

I AM moving on it though. Today's project is a result of the "How Many Songs Memorized" thread. Haven't actualy seen the thread but Bill commented on it, and just-for-fun today I'm making a list of songs I know. I figure it will be helpful when and if I start doing gigs, and certainly useful at sing-around parties.

Not too many so far though, only about 230 songs. BUT, I'm only counting songs where I know most of the verses. So haven't counted something like "Till We Meet Again," where I just know the chorus. Not sure if this restriction is a good idea however. My experience is that people are very happy to hear even the chorus of a familiar song most of the time. Actually I think songs where I just know one verse should be OK, like "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen."

Bill keeps reminding me of more songs. It's fun. I guess I should look at the song lists in these threads. For example, I just remembered "Danny Boy," which is one I've known for many years. I'm sure I'd spot others. Genie, I believe Bill said you have a repertoire of close to a 1000 songs. That doesn't surprise me given the things you've said in these nursing home threads.

Anyway Marion, you are much farther down the road on this than I am.

I keep thinking I need a demo CD, but maybe not. I agree with Genie that a CD is better than an audition, but maybe I could go ahead and line up a couple of gigs by auditioning. Aaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhh! Scary! My hands will freeze and my fingerpicks will fall off and I'll make a perfect jackass of myself, I just know it!!!!

... Sorry. Just had to let it out. That's the kind of feelings that come up when I think of actually getting out there and lining up some gigs.

Rita

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Ferrara
Date: 24 Aug 02 - 06:54 PM

p.s. And, there's the matter of amplification. I really need to check it out and then be sure I am going to do enough work to justify the investment.

Rita

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 29 Aug 02 - 06:10 PM

Genie, I'd like to know more about how confirmation forms work. Are they something that the home sends you, or you send them, or one signs and returns to the other?

I was thinking I could make up a simple contract letter with the terms of the gig and a cancellation policy - then if I get a gig more than three weeks in advance, I would send them this letter and ask them to sign it, make a copy for themselves, and mail back to me. Make sense?

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 05:01 PM

Guess what? I just got a call to book my first gig (first gig of this project, not of my life)! I think this just may work...

Thanks again to all!

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Genie
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 05:23 PM

Marion, so glad to hear your project is coming along so well and so fast. Good on ya!

Rita, I do think confirmation forms are a good idea -- especially if you book a program while you are there in person and can get the signatures on the sheet without taking a lot of time. When you fax or mail them, sometimes people return them promptly (usually the responsible people/facilities, who need them the least), and other times they either won't be returned or you'll find that they aren't worth the paper they are written on. They are valuable as memory aids, in case either party forgets what time and date were booked and for what price. But if a facility chooses not to return the confirmation form or not to honor the oral contract, what are you gonna do?

I do use confirmation forms, when I have time, and when it's a high-demand time slot like Christmas Eve or St. Patrick's. But I have yet to devise a contract that covers what I want it to cover (e.g., they agree not to cancel me due to budget shortfall and then book someone else later for the same month; they agree to pay a cancellation fee if they cancel within two months of the gig without proper cause) yet would not be intimidating to prospective clients.

If anyone else uses contracts for this type of short, low-paying gig (e.g., for a one-time, one-hour program at a nursing or retirement home), I'd be interested in seeing the kind of contract you use and hearing how well it works.

Genie

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 02:53 PM

Hi Genie. Thanks for the further info on confirmation forms (and now you've balanced out calling Rita by my name by calling me Rita :).

I'm still interested in your response to this question from above, which you may have overlooked:

"I was wondering - do you often meet other musicians who are also specialists in seniors' programs, and if so, under what circumstances do you meet them? I'd like to have friendly relations with the local competition so that we can exchange local tips (like what's the Toronto Stephanie's name?) and refer ADs to each other if we can't take a job. But unlike the club scene, it seems like one performer isn't likely to hear others' shows, nor would you see bands advertised on telephone poles."

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 05:36 PM

Genie, you're right about everything! In my calls so far I've heard the exact words "We're always looking for new entertainers" more than once. And when I tried to reach an AD who hired me before and said she'd call me for the next party, I was told that she didn't work there anymore.

Marion

Subject: RE: Getting nursing home gigs
From: Marion
Date: 02 Oct 02 - 04:51 PM

I'll relate some more of my ongoing adventures in telemarketing in the ongoing hope that Genie will notice my question two posts above :).

1. I usually say, "I'm calling because I'm a musician who specializes in programs for seniors. I'd like to know if you ever bring in live music to entertain, and if so, if I could send you a brochure."

One woman I spoke to simply said "No" to this, so I said, "OK, thanks anyway, have a good day," and started to hang up. As the phone was on the way back to the hook I heard her say something else, so I got back on the line, and it turned out that she booked me for a gig on the spot without my brochure.

I may have to rethink my long-held belief that telemarketers should understand that no means no.

2. Another receptionist I spoke to became kind of angry (at the home, not at me). It turned out that she herself was a semi-pro musician and had recently done a performance there for free. But when she asked to be reimbursed for her bus fare (around $4) and photocopying for the show, they had refused, saying that it was supposed to be volunteer offering. Needless to say, I'm not sending them a brochure.

(I asked her if I could take her personal number and refer work to her that I couldn't do, but she said no; she's mostly retired and only plays for ungrateful ADs who expect their own co-workers to pay for the privilege of performing.)

Marion