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Stay Young at Heart<br />
By: Jonny Bird / Here’s Jonny<br />
Do we have expiration dates? Are we supposed<br />
to just accept aging?<br />
Recently, two friends reminded me that life is<br />
certainly about living it! My friends Marcus and<br />
Len know the difference between just existing and being alive.<br />
Here are their stories:<br />
Marcus worked for the state of Minnesota for most of his adult life as a<br />
social worker specialist and thrived in his job. He worked his way up the<br />
ladder to a successful and comfortable life but decided it wasn’t enough.<br />
As he approached his 50 th birthday, Marcus took a leap of faith, moved<br />
to a new city, and embarked on a journey for a master’s degree.<br />
14<br />
<strong>April</strong> <strong>2024</strong><br />
He knew the stresses it would put on his beautiful new family and<br />
wife with school, a full-time job, and the unpaid intern hours that were<br />
required, but he was convinced that his short-term sacrifices would pale<br />
next to the long-term benefits. As he proudly approaches his graduation<br />
he is reminded of that.<br />
Len, a robust six-foot-five man with an impish glint in his eyes was at<br />
the tender age of 92 when he stepped into my studio to record his second<br />
album - his first in over 30 years. He joked about wanting to be the oldest<br />
person to ever win a Grammy, and I didn’t wanna burst his bubble about<br />
95-year-old Tony Bennet or 97-year-old Pinetop Perkins.<br />
When he handed me his song list of great standards from Bennett,<br />
Sinatra, Dean Martin, and others, I knew I was in for a treat. For the next<br />
six months, we chipped away at his songs, a few at a time, and in about a<br />
month he’ll be holding his new album, Young at Heart.<br />
Although his voice was just a bit frailer than his previous project, his<br />
passion and sincerity still shone through. Working with him was like<br />
working with a little kid playing with a new toy. He exuded glee and<br />
humor and together, we had a ball recording his songs.<br />
Remember that a life is only worth living if we are living our life. Don’t<br />
ever stop being that kid!<br />
Jonny Bird is the entertainment host of all Vegas Voice shows. Have<br />
an idea or suggestion? Contact Jonny via email:birdlandmusic@<br />
hotmail.com
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