PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Around 50 appreciative listeners flocked to the Sargent Family Community Center on Wednesday for the weekly Senior Music Jam.
Volunteer musicians play classic country music, such as Hank Williams, with a little bit of old time rock n’ roll thrown into the mix for the mature crowd. The number of musicians varies week to week. For this performance, seven musicians played for the crowd.
“It all depends on who is available and who feels like coming,” said Art Cullins, Senior Music Jam guitar player.
The free event that runs from noon to 3 p.m., has attracted a steady audience over the last few years. Event organizer Arthur Moreau hopes to draw bigger crowds.
Seniors in their 60s to early 80s come from Ashland, Oakfield, Caribou, Woodland, Limestone, Fort Fairfield, and Mapleton. The Senior Music Jam also hosts birthday parties and a Christmas party that has been happening for the last two years, according to Moreau.
Cullins, 85, grew up in Presque Isle and now lives in Caribou. He began the Senior Music jam around 20 years ago with musicians playing at nursing homes around Aroostook County. It now happens every Wednesday in the senior room of the Sargent Family Community Center, drawing 40 to 80 seniors to the event.
“They used to have it down on Davis Street [in Presque Isle]” said Larry King, a Fort Fairfield resident.
King has been coming to enjoy the performances at the Senior Music Jam consistently for the past five years. He sings with the band sometimes but he also travels to sing karaoke at some of the area nursing homes with his friend Larry Boaz.
“I don’t mind organizing and getting people here, but it’s hard getting people because they don’t know about this,” Moreau said. “This program here is set up for senior entertainment.”
No planned sets are played during the music jam. Musicians pick out tunes and the audience members get on the dance floor at the front of the room.
The Senior Music Jam will continue as long as musicians can be found to play, but so far there are no younger players to take their place, Cullins said. At least seven musicians who used to play for the Senior Music Jam have passed on since the event began.
“Music always makes you feel good,” King said. “[The seniors] enjoy the music and they like to get up and dance.”
