June 19, 2015

By:  Diane Malucelli
Photos by:  Bob Nelson

The East Bay Banjo Club playout was on Friday, June 19 at Aegis of Pleasant Hill, which is a beautiful assisted living residence.  We played in the garden in front of the colorful flowers and cascading water fountain.  It was sunny at first when we set up the equipment, so we moved our chairs around to get some shade.  As the sun moved, it became shady and very pleasant to play outside.  About 45 residents and visitors came to listen and they sang along to some of the songs.  We saw a special resident with our gold vest on and Betty recognized him as Jack Hicks.  Jack is still a member of EBBC.  Bob and I talked to him afterwards and he has many membership cards and has been part of our club for 45 years.

Betty David was our leader for the day and Guy Black played the bass.  The vocalists were Don Granberg, Kit Nelson and Sheila Welt.  The banjo players were Tom Brunetti, Betty David, Don Granberg, Ardie Jarrett, Bob Malucelli, Diane Malucelli, Kit Nelson, and Sheila Welt.  Dina Melamed played her washboard and Clyde Dedmon played his guitar. Bob Nelson was our photographer. We ended with “When the Saints Go Marching In” and the workers danced with the residents and everyone enjoyed the music.  It is a fun place to play and it is full of nice people.