Dr. Cash performs at Eden Terrace

After my big speech at Clemson University on Thursday night, I stayed in Clemson for the Clemson football game on Saturday. Then on Saturday night I went over to Spartanburg, S.C. to visit my sister and mother. This morning we had a great time sitting around the piano and singing some old songs, including gospel songs and some Christmas carols! My mother is second from the right in the picture above. To see a video we made this morning, go to www.youtube.com/chantdoc and click on the most recent video. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Alice

Italian Opera Legend Will be Remembered

The world lost a fantastic operatic tenor this week; a tenor that is probably as well-known in the U.S. as any movie star or rock star. Luciano Pavarotti, beloved Italian tenor and one of the famous "Three Tenors" died at his home in Modena, Italy of pancreatic cancer. According to

Forbes.com, "The 71-year-old was considered one of the greatest voices of his generation, and achieved success well beyond the ranks of classical music enthusiasts. He won first prize in a competition in 1961 and was rewarded with the role of Rodolphe in Puccini's 'La Boheme' in nearby Reggio Emilia. Despite his success, he never fully learned to read music, preferring to memorise his roles. In 1996 he left his wife Adua after 35 years of marriage and three grown-up daughters for his secretary Nicoletta Mantovani, whom he married in 2003, they had one child. The singer's weight caused him increasing health problems in his later years, and he also ran into trouble with the Italian tax authorities, with whom he reportedly reached a settlement for the payment of arrears amounting to millions of euros. At the time of his death he had been suffering from ill-health, having undergone surgery for pancreatic cancer in July 2006 followed by chemotherapy, and a series of farewell concerts had been postponed."

Music from Golden Years talks of the Sea

I've been listening recently to my CD, Music for Memory Care. On this CD I am playing instrumental versions of some of the most popular songs from the 1900-1940's. I was struck by how many of these songs talk about the sea: Moonlight Bay, By the Sea, by the sea by the beautiful sea, and lots more that I didn't record on this CD but intend to on the next!

As someone who also loves the ocean, the beach, and palm trees of any type, I think I'll start choosing my next CD's content based on this theme! What do you think?

Benefits of Music in the Golden Years

If you're here reading my blog then there's a good chance that either you're in your Golden Years or you have Golden Years friends. At the risk of making some rather broad generalizations, let me say that golden agers tend to have a little more leisure time. Another generalization might be that their health isn't quite as robust as it was in previous decades. Are you still with me? OK. Another supposition might be that with more leisure time and less physical stamina and energy, golden agers are looking for fun, every-changing, and free or affordable activities on a regular basis. Music can fill the bill every time. Even thought I'm "only" 59 I have noticed myself reminiscing far more than ever before. Music is always one of the triggers for my trips down memory lane.

My dearest friend is a woman who is 79! We are a generation apart and yet we know and love much of the same music. She has taught me tunes and I have taught her things about music. The point is, the musical repertoire is so vast, we could all probably sing 100 different songs every day for the rest of our lives and not repeat one!

So what are the benefits? When we sing songs we love, we breathe deeply and our blood becomes more oxygenated. Our brains get sharper and we feel better. Endorphins and serotonin floods our bodies and we eat better, sleep better and get along with our friends better.

My friend goes dancing with her 85 y.o. "beau" every Thursday and thoroughly enjoys it. I believe that this is happily extending the life of each of them. Soooo, are YOU listening to lots of music each day? Are you singing and dancing your way through your golden years? I sure intend to!

Thoughts of My Father on Father's Day

I loved my Father dearly. I'm sure I was a classic "Daddy's Girl" because growing up, I wanted to be just like Daddy. My father loved music and was always extremely proud of my musical ability. He often would lie on the couch on Sunday afternoons and listen to me play the piano for hours on end. He used to say that the could "just float right up to Heaven" listening to me play the piano.

On this Father's Day I'd like to offer you a very special opportunity to get your father, grandfather, husband or brother a great package of healing music and healing music products. These are downloads that require no musical background or knowledge of music. Just put them on or download them, lean back and enjoy!

Click Here for my Special Father's Day Offer

Is Alice approaching her Golden Years?

Is Alice approaching her Golden Years? Well, what are the Golden Years anyway? I'm sure many people would define them in different ways and at different age ranges. Traditionally I think many of his think of retired folks with grandchildren, gray hair, and rocking chairs as the "golden years crowd" but as I approach the beginning of my seventh decade, I find myself increasingly looking forward to that time in my life. I do look forward to having grandchildren all around me and sitting in my rocker with music all around. I look forward to teaching my grandchildren all of my favorite songs and teaching them to play the piano if they want. This to me, is what my Golden Years will be about. What about you?

Is music part of the fountain of youth?

Recently I started doing a music healing group that meets every Saturday for two hours. The group is free so there has been a flood of interested folks. One of the things that I have noticed both in my new group and in concert audience populations at large is that people of all ages love music and an participate in musicmaking their entire lives. Years ago it was pointed out to me that orchestra conductors frequently live into their 80's and 90's and many conert pianists were concertizing well into their 80's. I heard Artur Rubenstein play a fabulous concert in Italy back in 174 when he was 88 andit was as beautiful a recital--and grueling-as I've ever heard.

Personally I choose to believe that staying active in music-making and music listening will keep you yong for your entire life! It's worth a try isn't it?