The magic of music
Johnny tells how he started singing for people living with dementia after seeing the powerful impact of music on his dad Stan
Johnny’s story:
I worked all my life in business and to say that I never expected to end up performing to audiences as a singer and guitarist in my 60s is a huge understatement.
It all started about six years ago when I took early retirement and moved back to Edinburgh from London to be closer to family. My mum Betty had passed away and my dad Stan was in his 90s and needed more support.
Dad was diagnosed initially with severe cognitive impairment but his condition progressed quickly to dementia. He moved into a care home and soon could no longer communicate.
I’d never been much of a musician in the past, but I owned a guitar and knew a few chords. By chance I took the guitar with me on a visit to see dad and tried to play and sing a couple of traditional Scottish songs that I knew he liked.
Amazingly, as soon as I started playing I could see him connect with me and start singing along. It was like magic how he suddenly came to life. I realised then that music is a great connector.
From that point I started seriously teaching myself how to play the guitar and looked for more songs to sing – anything quite traditionally Scottish with a good beat is always a winner.
Before long, the manager of dad’s care home asked if I’d play for all the residents – many of whom also had dementia. They also seemed to really brighten up when they heard the music. It was remarkable. That’s when I thought, there’s something more here.
I decided to look for other places to play. I set up a website with some branding and now play to 12 care homes, centres and other venues across central and east Scotland.
Last summer I spoke to the manager at Alzheimer Scotland’s new outdoor dementia resource centre in the grounds of Lauriston Castle. I’m now performing for groups there twice a month and it’s been fantastic to see that same positive reaction.
Alzheimer Scotland do amazing work and I always try to collect donations for them wherever I perform.
Dad died earlier this year aged 99, but I want to keep performing, keep giving back to the community and supporting Alzheimer Scotland for as long as I can.
Now at the age of 62, I have registered to play at the Edinburgh Fringe festival for a week from August 7th, at the LifeCare Centre in Cheyne Street. Stockbridge. The show will be called Singalong for Scotland and it will be aimed at people living with dementia and their supporters, encouraging them to come and see the magic that music can bring.
I am on a new journey now and I’m excited for what comes next and to see where my music will take me.
Find out more about Johnny’s Edinburgh Fringe show at:
