08/02/12 When Cindy Flagg of Miller’s Senior Living Community introduced Steven Douglas as the Saturday afternoon entertainment at Miller’s Senior Living Community, many in the audience thought he looked familiar. And so he is. Steve D as he prefers to be known comes to Miller’s on the fourth Thursday of every month as the Manan Hearing Care Specialist.
However, Steve D is also a musician. He opened his July 21st concert with “The Star Spangled Banner” because as he explained he is “just a patriotic person”. He followed with “America the Beautiful” and asked the audience to sing along.
As his concert progresses Steve D becomes more than an entertainer he becomes a friend. He shares much about his life as he tells why he enjoys singing the songs he chooses.
For example: He’s a Johnny Cash fan which is evident as he sang “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Sunday Morning Coming Down”. And, while people either really love Elvis or they really dislike Elvis; he really likes Elvis, thus he sang “Blue Suede Shoes” followed with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” which Elvis and many others have performed.
Before singing “Cat’s In the Cradle” by Harry Chapin, Steve D shares that he is a “PK”.
“Does anyone know what a ‘PK’ is?” asked Steve. Several nodded from the audience.
“Yep, that’s right,” said Steve, “I’m a preacher’s kid”. And he went on to share a touching story about his father.
The song “Brown Eyed Girl” led him to share about his daughter; whom has blue eyes. And “California Dreamin’’, made for great segue to learn of his face to face encounter with a sea lion while surfing.
As for his guitar playing, Steve D explains he decided when he turned 50 years old he was going to make a “bucket list” of things he wanted to do before he left this earth. Learning to play guitar was going to be on that list. When he turned 48 he decided to get a head start and he disciplined himself to sit down everyday and practice. His practice has certainly paid off and is never more apparent than when playing his favorite southern gospel songs.
As he ended his concert with a gospel set the audience enjoyed singing along. Steve D seemed quite happy have them join him on such favorites as “Mansion Over The Hilltop”, “I’ll Fly Away”, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”, “How Great Though Art” and, of course, “Amazing Grace”.
To learn more about Miller’s public events schedule please call 574-936-9801 and ask for Anna Corbett or Cindy Flagg.
Photo Caption: Steve D of Ft. Wayne poses with Mary Cooper at Miller’s Senior Living Community.
