When I was told a few days before the actual gig to sing a few songs other than my usual Irish repertoire, I did not realise the audience was going to be different. They all had Huntington's disease.
Huntington's Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to waste away. As a result, a sufferer may experience uncontrolled movements, emotional disturbances and mental deterioration.
More information and support is available from
Australian Huntington's Disease Association (NSW) Inc. [Australian Huntington's Disease Association (NSW) Inc.].
Of course it turned out to be a good concert for all of us. They accepted my "new" songs about Barack Obama being Irish, " oh Lord it's so hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way", "Underneath a Scotsman Kilt" and an appalling song namely "If my nose was running money I'd blow it all on you".
I overcame some apprehension to play five songs with a backing I had recorded on the keyboard. "Grandma's Feather bed", "Hotel California", "Brown-Eyed Girl", a Beatles Medley and "Would You Like to Swing on a Star". I included two original songs about the Bali Bombing and 9/11 and ended with an average version of "King of the Road". I think they enjoyed it! One or two were even able to catch on to the rhythms. I am not sure whether they wanted encores or not but I did three (as the careers turned up late and it seemed the right thing to do).
If you are a little bit down, remember ALL the parts of you that are going well.
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1 comment:
Hi Double,
I remember singing Try To Remember in a mental hospital to a theater full of people who were trying to forget But singing to an audience like that makes you feel good about yourself. At last you've found a place for your talent.
Ken
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