The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is using the power of music to uplift nursing home residents, thanks to an initiative led by education director Randy Lanham. Through a newly produced 40-minute instructional video, Lanham hopes to encourage musicians – regardless of skill level – to share their talents with those in long-term care facilities.
The video, funded through a grant from Owensboro Health, has already gained traction across multiple states. Lanham said he has received requests from musicians who are eager to access the resources he offers, which include song charts and backing tracks.
“It’s already making an impact,” Lanham said. “I’ve had emails from three different states asking for music. The video walks through everything from song selection to using a simple sound system, and most importantly, it lets people know you don’t have to be a professional musician to do this.”
The video features interviews with activity directors and musicians who regularly perform in nursing homes. Lanham said the goal is to dispel any apprehension musicians might have about performing in that setting.
“There are thousands of musicians out there who just need a little nudge,” he said. “Many of them stop playing because they don’t have anywhere to perform. But nursing homes are full of people who love music and would be thrilled to have someone come in and lead sing-alongs.”
For Lanham, the project is personal. He sees nursing home residents as an often-overlooked community and believes music can provide meaningful connection and joy.
“They’re forgotten,” he said. “Unless you have a family member in one, you don’t think about it. And even then, life gets busy. A lot of these residents don’t get visitors or have the chance to hear live music.”
Lanham said activity directors are eager to bring in musicians but often struggle to find volunteers. He hopes this video will change that by providing a clear guide on how to get started.
“The biggest thing I want people to know is that you don’t have to be a professional,” he said. “It’s not about putting on a show – it’s about leading songs they know and inviting them to sing along. Even if you just use a Bluetooth speaker and play tracks, they’ll love it.”
For those interested in getting involved, Lanham is offering 20 bluegrass songs, complete with chord charts and instrumental tracks. Musicians can request the materials by emailing him at [email protected]. The instructional video, Learn to Play Live Music in a Nursing Home, is available on the Bluegrass Music Academy YouTube channel here.
