We hope to enable musicians and performers to network throughout the world and create a database of volunteer musicians. I felt a need to communicate with other volunteers who minister to the elderly and public through music, song and laughter. God bless you. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything." Ephesians 5:19
Raymond & Susan Bugg, (on right) of Harbor Beach, Michigan who perform under the name "Everthing Under the Son", entertain a family at the 1st Annual Art at the Garfield in Port Austin, MI. The Bugg's will provide their unique brand of entertainment ov the 4th of July weekend in the 2nd Annual Art at the Garfield. (Photo credit: Bill Diller)
“WHO ARE ‘THE BUGGS”
We are a Christian couple and have been married for almost six years.(July 12th, 2003) Raymond was a special education teacher for ten years and had to take a disability retirement in 2000. Susan was working for hospice and at a Doctors Office and had Encephalitis that took her out of the workforce also.
Raymond: “My Pastor invited me to go with him to the Long Term Care Unit in Harbor Beach. He held a Bible study with the residents on Wednesdays, and asked if I would come and play and sing with him.” (He also plays guitar)
(Raymond) “I had never volunteered in a nursing home setting before. After the Bible study, I sat down with several residents and sang “campfire songs” with them. (She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain, Yankee Doodle, etc.) I really felt drawn to them and scheduled myself to return again the next week.
LET THE SINGING BEGIN!
After a while, I began to look for new music as the “campfire” program was beginning to get, well… boring. (To me that is) I had a friend, Richard Roberts, who played banjo, and invited him along on an occasion. Richard introduced me to a wealth of music from the early 20th century, 1900’s, ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. We played together for about a year before Susan joined us.
Richard, Susan and I sing on a regular basis at two facilities in Harbor Beach. We perform at the Long Term Care Unit and Harbor House (an assisted living facility).
Susan prepares and arranges the music for the performances as well as the props and costumes.
Susan: “We have never looked at our performances as concerts, but rather events. Our intent is to bring joy to people and get them singing. We use a ‘sing-a-long’ format with trivia and stories to liven things up. Great Friends and "Mentors" Art and Rita Glaza who also sing in the “nursing home circuit” told us that, “You gotta make them laugh.” Their heart is to love people and make them have a great day and fun memories and make them laugh!!They are in their "Golden Years and Still, making folks laugh!!"
Several years ago Raymond, created sing-a-long books that we use during our programs. There are over two hundred songs. We sing hymns, patriotic songs, holiday music, children’s songs, songs of America and the world as well as campfire songs.
There is great debate as to who invited Susan to join us. Richard claims he was responsible bringing Susan and I together. However it happened, I’m grateful because Susan is now my wife.
“EVERYTHING UNDER THE SON”
“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.” Ephesians 5:19
Susan and I felt that the Lord wanted us to reach out to a larger community with our sing along format. We sing at many different facilities and various events in the Huron County region. Although Richard does sing with us on occasion at some events, “Everything Under the Son” is just Susan and I.
We chose Ephesians 5:19 as a statement for our ministry. We pray that we bring merriment and the message of Jesus Christ though our programs. We decided that “Everything Under the Son” was an appropriate title for our duet, seeing how we will sing almost, everything under the sun, for the Son.
Susan and I have been performing together for about eight years, and six of those eight as “Everything Under the Son”.
1 comment:
Hi Ray and Susan, I'm still thinking you should create a two headed llama costume for both of you to wear. Wouldn't that be neat-o??
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