Westbrook resident Sam Scola doesn’t play music for the recognition or money. During any given week, he can most likely be found entertaining residents in one of several area retirement or assisted living homes – and that’s just where he wants to be.

At 62, Scola recently retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 25 years, which has freed up more of his time to perform music. But, since he was a teenager, Scola has played the guitar in a series of bands and written and performed as a solo act.

Scola attended schools in Boston during the 1970s, including a brief stint at the renowned Berklee College of Music, where he studied music theory.

Something about performing for seniors, however, sticks with him, and looking at a list of assisted living and senior care facilities he’s played is impressive. They include Avita of Stroudwater, the Barron Center, The Woods at Canco, Maine Veterans’ Home, Sedgewood Commons, Falmouth by the Sea, Foreside Harbor, Gorham House, Larrabee Village, Scarborough Terrace and a number of others in Cumberland and York counties.

Scola likes to involve his audience in the show, creating sing-alongs and other interactive measures.

The American Journal spoke with Scola recently about his influences that keep people tapping their feet, performing for seniors, and his original music.

Q: Although you’ve been playing music for years, you began by playing in bands when you were younger. What was that experience like? Do you play mostly solo now?

A: I started playing in bands when I was 17 years old. I really enjoyed the band experience, which included female singers in some of the bands I played in. I enjoyed the high schools I played and nightclubs I played when I was in my 20s, 30s, 40s up to my early 50s. I started playing solo guitar and vocals before I retired and now I only play solo, since my retirement.

Q: You attended Berklee College of Music for a short time. What was it like to study at such a prestigious music school? What are some things you learned there that stuck with you?

A: I took a course on theory at Berklee College of Music for only one year in my 20s. It was a thrill to go and learn at Berklee. My teacher said he really liked the way I played in his class on improvising on my instrument there. I learned many scales and different types of chords, which I still play today.

Q: Lately, you’ve been playing exclusively at regional nursing homes. Why?

A: The main reason I only play nursing homes is I don’t like clubs and the drinking there, and playing all night long. I play at retirement homes because it brings great joy for me to put a smile on their faces with the sing-alongs and trivia. I do “Tiny Bubbles,” and they blow bubbles during the song, and I give candy away when I do “The Candy Man,” by Sammy Davis, but make them earn it with a trivia question. I want it to be fun for them, and some residents get up and dance to my songs, too! It makes me feel good that for that one hour I play for them, it brings some happiness in their life.

Q: How do the residents react to your music? What songs are some of their favorites?

A: Some of the songs they really enjoy are “Hey, Good Lookin’,” by Hank Williams, “Love Me Tender,” by Elvis Presley, “You Are My Sunshine,” by Johnny Cash, and “Sweet Caroline,” by Neil Diamond.

Other songs they enjoy are: “My Girl,” “Sea of Love,” “Proud Mary,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Blueberry Hill,” and “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin and “New York, New York,” by Frank Sinatra. I have the residents do some whistling at the end of “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” and grade them on how good they whistle during the song.

I also play songs by Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbinson, Willie and Ricky Nelson, Sam Cooke and Buck Owens. Their favorite is also Elvis, and I even do an Elvis medley, which they love.

Q: Who were some of your biggest musical influences?

A: My biggest influences are The Beatles, and other British Invasion groups from the ’60s.

Q: Outside of performing, you also record music, including instrumentals. Tell me about those.

A: I’ve been a songwriter for many years, but it’s very hard to get a break getting someone to record your original songs. I write instrumental songs to try and get them used for movie soundtracks or video games and commercials. I have some on www.soundcloud.com to hear. I have also written beer ad songs, and smoke prevention songs. I always end my performance with my original song called “Sing Along with Sam,” which they love as my ending to playing for the all the residents.

Sam Scola, a 62-year-old Westbrook resident, has made a name for himself by consistently performing at regional nursing homes, bringing with him a penchant for entertaining crowds by involving them in the show.  Courtesy photo

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