On March 24 at 6 p.m. Jon Troast, singer/songwriter, gave a one-hour performance for about 45 residents and family members at Meadowlark Retirement Community. Troast traveled from Nashville, Tenn. to perform this concert. Jon’s website is Jontroast.com.
Troast said he used to dislike Mr. Rogers’ song “I Like to Take My Time,” but now has a different attitude. “As funny as it might sound, Mr. Rogers’ message is found in a lot of my songwriting—taking time to notice what’s going on around you, taking time to think about what’s important in life, taking time to enjoy what you have, taking time to ‘do it right.’ It’s been my motto since becoming a full-time musician six years ago,” Troast said.
Troast started out playing in coffee shops, bars, churches and other such venues in the Midwest, slowly building his repertoire. He started doing house concerts, such as his visit to Meadowlark, a couple years ago.
“You connect with your audience a lot more when you’re singing in front of their fireplace and sleeping on their couch,” said Troast.
The idea took off, and Troast has since played in hundreds of homes all over the country, including one extended coast-to-coast tour of 100 concerts in 100 days. He also has performed on National Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”
Melissa Chambers, director of Porter Hills Retirement Community & Services and Meadowlark, said the concert was very much enjoyed by those who attended.
Porter Hills Retirement Community has been recognized as “West Michigan’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For” eight years in a row.
Comments by our Readers