Well said, Dennis!

Yup. I'll second all of that. In fact If it's not too outrageous, you can even add some familiar 80's tunes to that second list. The active 60's & even 70's aren't your granddad's seniors! And for the most part are an under served market in most retirement communities, as most music is geared towards the previous generation. Time to move the music up a decade or two. Think Soft Rock Cafe. Hey, I just had cataract surgery and they were playing Jefferson Airplane in the operating room and the Doors in the hallway. (Not that I'm suggesting that. LOL)

IMHO, there's also a third group of seniors - the seniors home/nursing home folks, who are not so active, may be confined to their chairs and range anywhere from 'with it' to seemingly 'unresponsive'. I've played for a few of those gigs. Actually a wonderful and most appreciative crowd. Any fun song that goes back to their youth is greatly appreciated. Especially if you can get them to participate. IE: "How Much is that Doggie in the Window" (no kidding - big hit if you can get them barking along) and even "Ghost Riders in the Sky" if you can get 'em, mooing and yee-haa'ing. I've seen folks in wheelchairs getting help to do the limbo, or learning the Macarena. All the old chestnuts from the 40s to the 60s work, too. They will sing along with "I'm, Henry the Eighth", "Daisy, Daisy (Bicycle Built For Two)", "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter", "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts" etc.

If everyone can have fun, that's all that matters. That's what music is about.

Doc

Hey Doc!

It certainly appears that you and I are on the same wavelength. I'm not sure if you and I are the same age (I just turned 63 and I'm still gigging regularly - not on SS either), but I think we have some of the same ideas when it comes to playing for SENIORS. I mostly play for mobile "independent" seniors in retirement communities or apartment complexes and it is surprising how mobile and active retirees in their 80s and 90s can be. If I had to guess most of their ages I'm pretty sure I'd frequently be short ten years or so.

Some of the more popular songs that I do for this age group include, Cab Driver, Kansas City, Mama Tried, Jambalaya, Folsom Prison, Walk On By, Crazy, etc. At my age, these are the people that I think of as seniors and they are very appreciative of my performances. I usually get paid pretty well, too, and that doesn't hurt.

How about some surf songs at a pool party. Fun songs, easy to holla and dance to like Twist and Shout, I'm Sexy and I Know It, Do the Locomotion. Songs that your crowd will know and sing along to. Wild Thang? Good luck. Have fun.

Anything by Sinatra.

Now Im wondering if I misread the post..I thought he meant Seniors as in High School..18 year olds..if infact he means seniors I retract the foo fighters and Neon Trees suggestion immediately lol

Hey guys!!

I know I haven't posted on here in a while....but it's good to be back!!

Anyway, so I was just hired to play my first-ever payed gig at the local town pool next Wednesday, and it's for a senior BBQ. So, I just want to hear some suggestions about what songs you guys think I should try to learn and play.

I'm wideee open to anything and everything, so whatever you think would get the best response from the crowd would be awesome!

Thanks in advance for any help. and: Thanks for all the help and suggestions, you guys!!

Haha, yes, the "seniors" I'm talking about are the older variety.

And I don't know what age ranges these seniors will be. I'm assuming it'd be anywhere from 50-80? I'm not too sure, so I'm going to have to gear up and prepare myself with quite an eclectic mix of songs.