bookings and re-bookings.

The group sing and play a variety of oldies music including gospel, country, patriotic and contemporary. They perform at local nursing homes, senior centers and church groups. They also entertain at schools, retirement lunches, clubs and organizations. Their bookings are not limited to Bradley County... they have traveled as far as Niota, Copper Hill, Jasper, Birchwood, Chattanooga and Calhoun Georgia.

Everything The Roaring Fifties group do is strictly on a volunteer basis and at no charge. The donations they occasionally  receive help to purchase equipment. They have a small church bus for traveling but pay for the gas themselves. They supply their own props, musical instruments and equipment and are hoping to receive donations enough to buy a much needed sound system for the instruments. Group members purchase their own uniforms, which are traditionally a red blouse and white skirt for the women and red vests, white shirt, black pants and bow tie and hats for the men. And for the seasonal performances, the ladies wardrobe also consists of  red sparkle tops for Christmas, blue sparkle for Patriotic sessions, green for St. Patrick's and  formal red and white outfits.  "Our only goal is to make people happy and see them smile" said group member JR Gibson.

After watching The Roaring Fifties group entertain residents of the Life Care Nursing Home recently, it was evident that their goal had been accomplished. The group sang familiar Gospel songs to a large gathering of elderly residents whose feet soon began to tap and hands began to wave. Smiles and tears of joy were seen on their faces, some even sang along as the group performed.  Ozella said that this was a typical reaction "and this is the whole purpose, to bring a little happiness into their lives. If we bless them with our music okay, but if not, we do our best."  She added, "some nursing homes the group have visited have included Alzheimer patients or seniors suffering from depression, but they often manage to get a positive reaction to the show and that to us is an extra blessing."

She told of one particular lady who was suffering with Alzheimer's and who the staff had told her had been very introvert and depressed for weeks and really didn't want to be taken from her room to see the show. But after seeing it, thanked the group saying she felt much better. She had sung along with the music and danced a little, which seemed to have a positive influence on her depression. "It's incidents like these that make us feel we have done what we set out to do," Ozella said.

The group comprises of eleven women and ten men which include a guitarist, trumpeter, pianist and comedian. One member operates the  "cheat sheet" as they call it, which displays the words to the songs and each take turn doing solo's, duets and trio's. The shows typically last for 60 to 75 minutes but it takes at least an hour beforehand to set up the equipment and another forty-five minutes to take down.

Word of mouth and repeat bookings for the shows have made for them a busy schedule. They average approximately three to four performances a week and occasionally have done two or three in one day. 

After seeing "The Roaring Fifties" perform, it is hard to believe that they are not paid professionals. They are practiced and talented and managed to stir my emotions during their performance. The shows are well organized yet the members insist they are simply retired seniors who enjoy singing and working together as a family. Voluntarily giving their time and resources to make others happy is rewarding for them as well as allowing them to enjoy what they like to do.

During my visit to see this outstanding group of giving entertainers, it was discovered that they are presently seeking a place to rehearse once a week. Somewhere in this community with enough room for about 21 people and a small piano. If anyone can help or if you wish to make a booking or donation please call: Ozella Harris 479-2554.