Theater teacher dad longs for old show tunes

Dear Live Grand:

My dad, 93, is a former high school theater teacher who resides in assisted living. His persistent wish is to be able to listen to old show tunes. The facility provides entertainment, but it’s generally country music, which isn’t his style. I’ve researched available radio stations but there was nothing suitable, so my grandson made a playlist using music from show-tune CDs. Dad likes that well enough, but he has trouble making the player work. He can ask for help but he hates to do that, so the player just sits there. I’ve heard that the GrandPad is easy to use and provides access to old music so I thought maybe that could be the answer. – PW

Dear PW:

Your dad sounds like an interesting man to know! Good work on your part in trying all avenues to make his life more complete.

GrandPad definitely offers music. Lots of music! With this tablet, he would have plenty of choices under the music app, but since he loves show-tunes we’ll start with that.

As with everything on GrandPad, the Show Tunes option is large and well labeled. This one has the comedy and tragedy masks on the button which he’d appreciate. With just the tap, he could listen as memories flood back through various show-tune collections, specific composers like Rogers and Hammerstein, and unique singers like Etta James and Judy Garland. When he finds a song that he especially likes he can tap the star icon and it’s automatically added to his favorites list.

Then there’s the American Classics option where he can listen to singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford, and Doris Day. Oh, and the Big Band option where he can listen to Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Woody Herman, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole! He can favorite these as well or he can just listen and tap next. He can also tap the button for song information while he listens. Considering his history, we think he’d enjoy seeing more detail.

Then, too. there’s a whole array of radio stations to choose from. We think your dad would especially like Radio Recliner because the DJs are people living in retirement facilities so they naturally tend to play older music. He’d probably enjoy GrandPad Radio, as well. There are many other stations to choose from, but these stand out as the two he’d probably enjoy most often.

Of course, your dad would love viewing the family photos that you could upload for him, as well as the ability to make and join in on video calls with family members just by touching their images.

Then there are games to try and articles to read. He can even check the weather if he enjoys that. The family admin can decide on any number of other options, but considering his age, you might want to limit the choices to those he’d most enjoy.

A GrandPad could refresh your dad’s whole living experience, PW. Tell him we said, “Happy listening!”

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