Best banjo experience yet!

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Posted by DandyRandy on Saturday, March 15, 2008

I've had some good times playing, but yesterday actually felt like it meant something to someone besides me. I had my banjo in the break room in ICU. I had a one to one patient who was watching the farm channel and I mentioned that they have some good banjo music from time to time. Turns out that he loves the banjo. I told him I had mine since I was going to a jam after work. After he asked me 3 times to play it for him and his wife asked me for him as well, so I reluctantly broke it out. I played a little Clinch Mtn. Backstep, played and sang a litte New River Train and played some FMB and a little blues for them. He was 74, in pretty serious condition but it brought a great big smile to his face. He went on all afternoon about how he enjoyed the banjo playing. Fortunately we dont' yet have a hospital policy prohibiting banjos in the building, but I expect one next week. When you think about it, being ill is bad enough, nothing to do in the hospital but eat bad food, watch bad TV and have people stick you with needles. There are music therapy programs with the harp, guitar, and other soothing instruments, but how about the banjo? Of course, it would only be for patients who request it, but it sure brought my patient out of his condition for a few minutes and you're bound to heal quicker with a smile on your face. After I had shut the doors to his room and played, one of our CNAs told me that the lady in the room next door said "I hear banjo music and someone singing!" She started to tell her it was just the medication she's on, but let her know I was playing in the next room. I asked the CNA if the patient was upset and she said no, she really liked it. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to go play for her. Now if they would just pay me as much as I make now to go around to rooms and play, I'd have it made! Seriously, I'm going to talk to our administrator and see what he thinks. Some people obviously don't need to hear a banjo when in the hospital, if they're going through DTs, whatever. One another note, the overhead speakers play Brahm's Lullaby whenever a baby is born, kind of neat. Should we play taps or the funeral dirge whenever someone dies?

9 comments on “Best banjo experience yet!”

erstokke Says:
Saturday, March 15, 2008 @6:21:37 PM

That is just a great story!

banjotef Says:
Saturday, March 15, 2008 @7:44:55 PM

You are a courier of happiness!

kcjc69 Says:
Saturday, March 15, 2008 @10:53:23 PM

Great thing you did Randy! And I love the idea of banjo therapy.

kcjc69 Says:
Saturday, March 15, 2008 @10:53:25 PM

Great thing you did Randy! And I love the idea of banjo therapy.

bellflower Says:
Sunday, March 16, 2008 @7:17:13 AM

Hey, Randy! Cool story -- I'm impressed. I'm just picturing ICU open mike ----

(Just now figured out this RSS feed for posts of friends which is how I found this. You'd think I'd be able to navigate around here better, since, as you kindly pointed out to me, I've been on bho for a year now.)

TopCat Says:
Monday, March 17, 2008 @6:35:33 PM

"Fortunately we dont' yet have a hospital policy prohibiting banjos in the building, but I expect one next week."

That bit made me smile, Randy! Banjo as therapy - excellent.

Old git Says:
Saturday, March 29, 2008 @9:24:19 PM

Although you are a novice Randy, its obvious that you have talent, and whatsmore, you know how and where to use it. I hope you get more opportunity to pass on some of that happiness to more people. I dont think you will be a novice for long. All the very best to you.

blamethebanjo Says:
Monday, April 7, 2008 @12:31:16 PM

Randy, I too have had some wonderful moments playing for seniors.They are sweet and precious.I recently played and sang for my Mother in the facility she is in.It is a blessing for all! You are on to something! Also thanks for the kind words on my song.It is kind of funny but Mom remarked that I wasn't as good as I used to be.I told her I wasn't as young as I used to be.At 92 she can get by saying anything she wants to! lol.

mr tatto Says:
Thursday, April 10, 2008 @11:36:43 AM

your aviator pic is buitifull i could sit with that veiw all day and pick on my banjo. well i think that was really nice of you to play the banjo for a poorly person in hospital it would be a good thing like you say putting smilles on folks faces is better than seeing them in pain and down in the dumps, as i sure know what it is like in hospital as i spent a whill in there myself after a haert attack on the mend now all the best roy [keep on picking and let me know the out come on the answere you get when you ask your boss to let you play banjo in hospital cool stuff.

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