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Last week, the hallways of St. Joseph’s Home were alive with music, joy, and toe-tapping fun! We had the pleasure of welcoming Ed Collins, a talented musician whose melodies bring smiles and sweet memories wherever he goes. Accompanied by his wonderful wife, Donna, Ed filled our home with the sounds of classic tunes, and our Residents couldn’t help but sing along!

From the very first note, the energy was contagious. Residents lined the hallways, tapping their feet, swaying side to side, and even adding their own harmonies to the familiar songs. Some closed their eyes and let the music take them back to cherished moments, while others couldn’t resist clapping and moving in their seats. Music truly has a magical way of bringing us together, and Ed’s performance reminded us of just how powerful a simple song can be.

The love and warmth Ed and Donna brought to our home were felt by all. It wasn’t just about the music—it was about connection, joy, and the shared experience of something beautiful. It’s moments like these that make St. Joseph’s Home such a special place.

A huge thank you to Ed and Donna for spending time with us and sharing their gifts! If you’d like to learn more about the heartwarming work Ed does, visit his website: Making Memories with Ed Collins.

https://littlesistersofthepoorpalatine.org/blog/making-memories-through-music-with-ed/

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Many of you may already know how much Eddie loves playing for the “young at heart” senior communities throughout Chicago ever since he started playing in his mom’s senior community years ago.   

These days the “young at heart” senior communities are closed to visitors to keep the seniors healthy and safe.  This includes entertainers.  So we recorded 80 minutes of Eddie playing many of the “young at heart” songs the seniors love.   If you know someone in a senior community, please feel free to share this link with them so they can have an hour or so of musical entertainment until Eddie can come back and play in person and live.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNJQKDazaF8&t=4s

If you enjoy the music and would like Ed to play for your loved ones community please call today.    312-805-3213

We also are hosting Saturday evening concerts LIVE on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.  Like Making Memories With Ed Collins on social media to receive updates on our concerts and join the fun!
We love our “young at heart” seniors!    Remember we are all #InThisTogether

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88 keys on a piano and Ed Collins plays each and every single one with all his heart and soul.  But long before he played with such pizzazz — he played the simple song every other piano player started playing …. Chopsticks!  Sit back and enjoy a short story and some chopsticks to celebrate Piano Day 2019.

As a 4th grader at St. James Grade School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Ed embarked on his piano career.  Under the diligent and determined guidance of Sister Amabilia, Ed learned the notes, melodies and rhythms of the ivories.  Early songs he mastered included Alley Cat and Five Foot Two — music to his parents’ ears.
For three years Ed trained and competed in the annual Chicago Archdiocese Piano Competition consecutively winning the top piano player award in his class.  The third year he was recognized as the top player throughout the entire Archdiocese which included all grade schools and levels.  He was awarded this title after playing seven pages of  Chopsticks.

The music In Ed’s soul deepened and during his college years his piano playing took off with a vengeance.  Jackson Browne, Elton John and rock n’ roll became the driving influence into the passion Ed carries in his piano style to this day.

The first prize medals for his rendition of Chopsticks may be long gone, but the music in his soul remains.  Today the music of Making Memories With Ed Collins is enjoyed by audiences in corporate and private events, weddings, retail environments and Ed’s favorite “young at heart” senior communities.

You’re invited to a live concert feed to celebrate Piano Day  Friday, March 29, 2019 7:15 pm CST on our Making Memories With Ed Collins Facebook and Instagram  pages 
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Booking 2018 Dates Now…

2017 has been a wonderful year and we are very grateful for the opportunities we have had to make memories for so many all around Chicagoland.

We know many of you are working on your entertainment budgets for 2018 right now.  Making Memories With Ed Collins is perfect for your next special event.  During dinner, after dinner, morning and/or afternoon — they are all good times for making memories with songs of yesterday and today.
We have 2018 dates available and would like very much to be your partner for enjoyable events Making Memories With Ed Collins.
Call or email us today to check availability.   tealproductions@gmail.com

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Proud to have been a part of Here’s Chicago’s 2017 Hospitality Fest yesterday at The Montgomery Club in Chicago.  As usual, Jim Grillo went over the top creating a great environment for making industry connections.    Making Memories With Ed Collins made a ton of connections especially for holiday events.    We are thankful for our friendship with Jim Grillo.

Holiday time slots are booking fast.    Contact us today to make your reservation.   tealproductions@gmail.com    www.makingmemorieswithedcollins.

Hospitality Fest 2017 (3)

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As we launch our website http://www.makingmemorieswithedcollins.com  I am moved to mention my mother Nancy, or “Nana”, as she was known to so many of her family.   While she clearly impacted all who knew her, her influence on me personally is remarkable.  Her never ending concern for others affected all of us and shaped the way we live.  She always supported and encouraged me to pursue my love of music.

I would like to dedicate my cover version of Jackson Browne’s song “The Only Child”   to my mom even though she was not the #1 fan of J.B.            ~EMC


“The Only Child”

Boy of mine
As your fortune comes to carry you down the line
And you watch as the changes unfold
And you sort among the stories you’ve been told
If some pieces of the picture are hard to find
And the answers to your questions are hard to hold

Take good care of your mother
When you’re making up your mind
Should one thing or another take you from behind
Though the world may make you hard and wild
And determine how your life is styled
When you’ve come to feel that you’re the only child
Take good care of your brother

Let the disappointments pass
Let the laughter fill your glass
Let your illusions last until they shatter
Whatever you might hope to find
Among the thoughts that crowd your mind
There won’t be many that ever really matter

But take good care of your mother

And remember to be kind
When the pain of another will serve you to remind
That there are those who feel themselves exiled
On whom the fortune never smiled
And upon whose life the heartache has been piled
They’re just looking for another
Lonely child

And when you’ve found another soul
Who sees into your own
Take good care of each other

Jackson Browne

#takegoodcareofeachother