The Tiger Lady From Texas
from The Care Home Journals of Johnny J. Blair
“The Tiger Lady From Texas” from The Care Home Journals of Johnny J. Blair
There’s a spirit of independence and historic zeitgeist that extends from the still-wild and open spaces around the state of Texas (I’ve been to every part of the state excluding the Gulf Coast). It’s a place that has been a wellspring for song topics. In my care home set I do Texas-themed songs like “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and “El Paso.”
I always ask the folks, “Is anyone here from Texas? It’s a big state that cranks out a lot of big people, so I have to ask.” Maybe one out of six times I’ll get a “yes” and launch into the Texas songs, which most people are familiar with whether they’re from Texas or not. However, when a Texas native is present, the audience excitement becomes contagious!
Such is the case with Betty, The Tiger Lady From Texas. She’s a black woman from Houston, and she’s proud of her Texacana background. I call her Tiger Lady because of her high energy and her wardrobe preference for wearing feline print dresses, particularly tiger and leopard patterns. She’s always “put together” with a quality wig and designer sunglasses. This is curious because Betty has been blind for some time, which means an informed outfitter must be involved. Betty isn’t about to wear just any old thing.
During my concerts, Betty is a fireball, bopping around in her seat and singing along. She still gets around on her own two legs, with just a little support getting up and walking, and I’m sure that if she could, she’d spring out of her seat and dance a boogaloo around the room. I often tell stories about the songs and the singers, and Betty asks questions like, “What happened to Tony Bennett?” “Is Doris Day still alive?”...and so on.
Betty’s short term memory isn’t so good and she forgets I know she’s from Texas, so a typical conversation goes like this:
(Me) “For my next number, I’d like to do a song about Texas. Is there anyone here from Texas?”
(Betty) “I’m from Texas.”
(Me) “I had a feeling someone here was from Texas.”
(Betty) “How’d you know I was from Texas?”
(Me) “A little bird flew all the way from Houston and told me.”
(Betty) “Houston?!? Well, I’m from Houston!”
Then I go into my stream of Texas tunes, including “Houston,” a deep cut by Dean Martin.
Betty accepts my performance of this song like it’s a badge of honor, and her exuberance becomes part of the performance.
Part of my mission is to make the care home residents feel like they’re part of a special event, not just passive bystanders. My song selections and set-up stories prompt memories and context for their lives beyond the care home routine. The music taps into a happiness that flows from a deep place in the mind and soul. It’s bigger than mere entertainment when the folks are revived and reconnected. The world can’t do without characters like Betty, and I’m reminded that we all have something to bring to the table of life. (journal entry 5/28/23)
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION TO MY CARE HOME JOURNALS: Since 2017 I've been performing regularly in assisted living homes, providing musical service to people in various stages of dementia and disability. There is proof-positive that music reaches into more areas of the brain than language, math, and many other forms of communication. The science has been unfolding for some time.
I've seen miraculous things happen, just from singing songs to people who are considered to be "disconnected"—suddenly, they're singing, clapping, tapping, dancing...all because of these familiar tunes. Staff personnel also tell me that the music helps the residents to eat and sleep better. While some of the folks I entertain are deep in "memory care," others have been set back by strokes or other issues. Some of them are in great pain or are barely cognizant of their surroundings. Some are as young as 40. Others are well into their 90s and beyond (including World War II veterans) and are very high-functioning.
I could use your financial support to keep doing this (I collect a fee, but it doesn't cover all my expenses for travel and upkeep). One option is to download my album of songs I play in the care homes:
When you stream or download this album, you have the option of paying any amount you wish. You can also support by becoming a Patreon patronhttps://www.patreon.com/johnnyjblair ...for as low as $1 a month. It goes towards transportation, gear maintenance, and providing more music for the residents.
Lastly, if you have family or friends who live in these homes, please take time to visit them. It’s life-enriching in more ways than we know. Thank you for reading and for supporting.
Do you like this journal entry? Also read about “The Yay Lady” https://johnnyjblair.substack.com/p/the-yay-lady-born-to-run-from-my?sd=pf and Mr. Judd, a senior hippie and civil rights marcher during the 1960s https://johnnyjblair.substack.com/p/mr-judd-personal-identity-and-overcoming
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