Smiles I Can't See

06/11/2026

The Samick guitar on the left and the banjo were recently donated to Smiles I Can't See from Carolyn Kaufman and the Yamaha on the right was given to me by Michael Eastland yesterday. It was waiting for me at reception when I got to Brightview Senior Living where I played yesterday. Hmmm, maybe if some of the places that I play can collect used guitars locally to donate when I'm there next visiting the residents can become a thing? Thank you Carolyn and Michael, new homes will be found for the instruments! OJC

06/01/2026

"Sweet Dorothy"
Stamford, Connecticut
May 31, 2026

05/31/2026

"Sweet Juliet"
I had an idea while driving to Brightview Lake Tappan in New York yesterday how to make one of the best singalong songs ever more interesting and personal at each performance. Why mess with perfection you say? I don't know but it's worth a try. First of all, the "pom, pom, pom" and the "so good, so good, so good" are not part of the original song and this somehow became the most well-known part of it. How did this come about? Did one person make up both parts? Did someone on the west coast create "pom, pom, pom" and did someone on the east coast create "so good, so good, so good" and somewhere in the middle of the country both were combined? There had to be a time when this happened for the first time and who started it? Neil Diamond is a great song writer. I find it hard to believe he wrote this for a young Caroline Kennedy, but I think he originally wrote it for his wife, Marcia but 2 syllables didn't work. This video is the first time I ever asked the audience, who had a female 3 syllable name and incorporated it into a closing number. As long as I use a different 3 syllable name, the possibilities are endless. It does add a bit to the big finish. Standup comedy always intrigued me and now I sometimes get the opportunity while hiding behind the disguise of being a musician. Could changing the name for "Sweet Caroline" work each day? This 5 minute video gives us the answer. Added bonus, see the TV in the background. The man is also waving his hands! OJC.

05/30/2026

May 28, 2026
Poughkeepsie Senior Center was so much fun as you can see in this 3 minute video. This was the first of three performances that day so I planned on pacing myself but of course that didn't happen. I start off by making believe I'm there to read the Bingo numbers but they caught on fast. It seems like "Sweet Caroline" is officially my go to closer and has been for some time even though I did an encore followed by some chair volleyball when I was done. I've played senior centers before but none of them have had the energy that this group has. OJC...

05/28/2026

It's a tough job but someone has to do it. This morning Poughkeepsie Senior Center did not disappoint. Video to come later. Look close to see if you recognize anyone in the volleyball game here after I finished playing.

05/08/2026

Guitar 320

05/08/2026

Guitar Number 320
I visited Dan at a facility in Danbury, Connecticut where he is being treated for head and neck cancer. A woman from Ann's Place in Danbury contacted me and said Dan wants to learn to play the guitar. He received this Yamaha guitar that was donated to Smiles I Can't See, a 501c3 non-profit based in New Milford, CT from Christoper Brown of Bethel, CT. I had a nice visit with Dan as we talked about playing the guitar, his illness, where he grew up and worked and his medical challenges in life. He was very open and approved of being filmed and talking to me. The honest conversation was very interesting. The half hour flew by and it was not easy to whittle it down to this 17 minutes where I also play his new guitar and give him a few pointers. I plan on checking in with him from time to time to see how he is doing. Good luck Dan. Our journeys continue.

04/14/2026

These 3 guitars were donated to Smiles I Can't See from Ann Marie Hennessey Charest recently and they are in perfect condition. The bass guitar on the right is quite heavy and would be best for an older child/young adult.

04/02/2026

Yesterday, I posted a fake story for April 1st. It must be real if you read it on the Internet, right? Remember this when you read things online. Check to make sure it's real before you spread anger and hate. But one thing that is real is that I recently gave away guitar number 318 courtesy of Smiles I Can't See to a third grade boy who is from Ecuador. I met with his teacher, Stephanie Kish Carlson at Sarah Noble Intermediate School in New Milford, Connecticut who contacted me recently. She told me the boy had a guitar in Ecuador but does not have one now that he lives here. So this Spanish style guitar donated by Marlene McGrade was perfect. I heard the boy was very thankful. To find out more about the 501c3 non-profit go to SmilesICantSee.Org. Our journeys continue.

03/30/2026