A Renaissance of Love
by Candace Anderson

"How are you all doing today?" Bob says, putting down the instruments. "Do you like the old songs? Maybe we could all sing some old country gospel this afternoon." The audience begins to smile. "Now you aren't going to get mad at me if I don’t sing rap music, are you now?" Bob asks the crowd. Some of the ladies smile and begin to laugh. Bob takes his guitar out of the case. "Well, my grandma used to tell me that one day I would come to love the old gospel songs the best, and you know, Grandma was right. But then grandmas are always right. Mamma may think she’s right, but grandmas really are." The residents laugh. "Well, we’re happy to be here, and we hope you are too, so put your hands together and join in with me on this old favorite hymn." The audience starts clapping along and singing. After a few songs, there is a light in their eyes that wasn’t there before. As I stand to the side of the stage, I think how appropriate that Bob named his company Renaissance Enterprises.

Bob Rowe, performer, lover of gospel music, and songwriter is in front of his favorite audience, senior citizens. His nonprofit company, Renaissance Enterprises is dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to senior residences, nursing homes, and other care facilities. Since 1988, Bob has obtained grants, raised money to fund performances, scheduled shows for the Renaissance artists, and has touched a lot of lives with his music. I once asked Bob why he started this company.

"Spiritually, I was looking for an outlet for my music that would go beyond commercialism," Bob said. "Everybody has to eat, but I needed to do something that would have more impact than just my staying alive. Nobody is getting rich off this company, but than that’s not the point. And there is always a need for a good show in nursing homes. That is obvious every time we go to sing. We get many more requests for programs than we have money for."

Securing foundation support is difficult, yet Renaissance Enterprises has been successful is raising funds for thousands of performances. "The company is unique, and I feel driven to find money to keep this work going," Bob continued. "I work with a great board of directors which has a spiritual first cause for doing this, so we find the money. We have to."

Bob introduces me to the group. "I have a wonderful treat for you today. My dear friend and colleague is here to sing for you. Won’t you please welcome the beautiful, the talented, with a voice that can melt butter on a cold December day, Candace Anderson!" When I take the stage I feel welcome. I sing an old favorite of my grandmother’s and most of the audience know the words. I sing a few more songs and Bob joins in. Bob sings with the residents, laughs and jokes around, always reminding them how happy we are to be here. Some of the halls that he takes his ministry to are beautiful, with gardens, solariums, and goldfish pools. They may have a chapel or a grand piano Some are care facilities with locked doors and residents with either advanced stages of Alzheimers disease or other debilitating diseases. As the Scripture says, "As you have done unto the least, you have done unto me." 

"They all have a need for us, in their own way. We try to go beyond entertainment to something therapeutic as well as inspiring," Bob says. "Love is patient; love is kind."

"Today’s performance is for smiling people who are clearly enjoying themselves. I tell them that every day I get to sing is a good day for me."

"How about singing along on the song that begins I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, because that’s the way I feel right now."

Bob had everyone clapping, and we sing on. At the end of the show, the residents file past, shake our hands, and ask us to return. Those that didn’t sing have all smiled. I think to myself that this is time well spent. This is a renaissance of love.