In 1988, Andy McCormack was 23-years-old when he walked into a senior citizens facility and started playing music.
“It was like a calling,” McCormack told. “I truly heard a voice that said ‘You gotta go hangout with the seniors.’”
Since then McCormack has been singing popular cover tunes to seniors throughout Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island.
“The joy I get is making that connection and seeing people move and having fun,” McCormack explained.
McCormack, who often performs to seniors at Dufferin Place, sings a wide number of cover songs from more modern artists such as Gordon Lightfoot and Neil Young. He said today’s seniors are more interested in hearing music from their generation than songs such as “You Are My Sunshine.”
“When I first saw the response by seniors to Rock N Roll I thought that this has not been done by entertainers that have come into seniors homes before,” McCormack explained. “Usually it is My Bonnie or You Are My Sunshine.”
McCormack, who once opened for the Barenaked Ladies, said that he enjoys the interaction he has with seniors.
“If I can make that connection and get them up and moving then that brings me a lot of joy,” he said.
arts@nanaimobulletin.comTwitter: @npescod