For this episode I interview Aidan Purnell, a regular musical performer at The Village of Riverside Glen. On Jan 23rd I was at Riverside Glen, and my scheduled interview fell through. Aidan was performing for a huge crowd of residents, and I've come across Aidan a number of times on my visits to Riverside Glen. I stuck around to see if he'd be up for chatting with me, and the result was the fantastic conversation you'll hear today! We talk about his experience performing at Retirement Homes and Long Term Care Facilities, but we also get a window into his origin story, first picking up the guitar at age 7, his studies in musical theatre and gerontology, and from his twenties on having a full time career in live music. From his well-researched and carefully selected gear, to his rapport with all the individual residents (remembering each of their favourite songs and adding them to his set list) it's clear Aidan is much more than just an entertainer!
This was a really insightful conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! You can learn more about Aidan (and get in touch with him) on his website, http://purnellmusic.com/ and you can hear some of his music on youtube @purnellmusic and on various music streaming platforms by searching Aidan Purnell. Thank you Aidan for being up for this spontaneous interview!
This interview was originally recorded on Jan 23rd, 2025
