Tonight Claude and I went to the Lexington Opera House to see Glen Campbell in concert. Glen Campbell was very popular in our younger married years. We sang lots of his music with Claude playing his guitar and we listened to it often. When we learned he was coming to the Lexington Opera House, we decided to go listen in person.
As it turns out, Claude saw him in concert many, many years ago. It was during his Connie days. That was well before he knew me. Connie is who he was engaged to when we met. We have been married 42 years so it was a long, long time ago.
This was an interesting evening for me. Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's. My mother passed away in July after a long bout with Alzheimer's. I had many years of living with and dealing with this illness. I found myself watching and listening for all those things I remembered experiencing.
The concert began with an opening act. This act consisted of three young musicians, two of whom were Glen Campbell's children, a daughter and a son. They were excellent musicians and we enjoyed their set very much. Then there was a brief intermission while they moved some things around on stage before bringing out Glen Campbell.
There was actually someone guiding him onstage and into position. Even though the theater was dark and only flash lights were used, you could tell it was Glen and he was being directed as to where to walk.
Once everyone was in place the lights came up and the audience welcomed him with strong applause. They started right in with the music. He missed a few words on the first song but his voice was still strong and good. You could tell he was in his 70's with his voice but it was in great shape.
Glen's kids were on stage with him throughout his performance. His son plays the guitar and the bass and was on Glen's right side and back a little. His daughter played banjo, mandolin and a keyboard that was something like a steel guitar. She was on Glen's left side and back a little. Ashley and Glen did two songs where she played the banjo and he played the guitar. One of these was Dueling Banjos and the other was some type of breakdown but I don't remember the name.
I watched Ashley make sure Glen was set to play in the right key. One song in particular he had his capo clipped on the top of the guitar neck and she quietly came from her position and put the capo on the top fret for the key the band was ready to play. He looked at her and grinned and she told him the key they were playing in. He always said, "That's my little girl."
At one point Glen wanted to improvise some comedy in the song and he turned to his son who quickly picked up on what his dad was doing and kept it going.
Occasionally you would catch the kids looking at each other. Or they would be carefully watching Glen at a spot where it seemed they knew there might be difficulty.
I watched these little things and thought of my personal journey down that Alzheimer's road. I remembered the times I could still take my mother out for a few hours. She would join in other peoples conversations in stores as though she were with them. I remember being anxious that they would understand and inserting the word Alzheimer's quietly so they would truly understand. Everyone was kind with her as they understood. Glen's kids were like that with him. It was obvious they cared and wanted him to enjoy this important part of his life, this music that was a part of his very soul. Little cues about words and keys, little introductions so he would pick up and just start playing his guitar and singing, strong endings to music so he knew when to stop. All the little things that help someone have a positive experience without them knowing you are helping.
The audience was gracious as well. Lots of standing ovations and singing along. It was like we were all so happy to have these moments with Glen Campbell before he can't do this at all anymore.
I was happy and sad for his kids. It can be very difficult emotionally to live the Alzheimer's experience with just your own family. To take it on stage and make it work must be grueling on a lot of levels. But to have that time with your dad to build memories for yourself and to give to him is such a blessing. Singing with my father, who has lost so much of his musical ability, has taught me the importance of having this experience while I can, even if it isn't perfect like you might like. So I was happy and sad for the kids. But, most happy and hoping they would remember the good things and the lessons learned during their journey.
Claude and I left the Lexington Opera House feeling good about our experience. The music was good. The audience enjoyed it. And it was nice to watch family be like it is supposed to be as it cares for each other. It was a good evening.
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