Age Well: Boyd Lee Dunlop proves you're never too old to dream

By Michele Cauch
SageHealth Network

Talent can be discovered in the strangest places and in the most unlikely of people. It's a gift that is bestowed on individuals. No matter how old you are, once you are blessed with it, talent is yours forever. Neglected by some, cherished by others, but mostly envied by all.

Boyd Lee Dunlop, 85, possesses an innate talent that would be the envy of any aspiring musician.
He had his own jazz band during the heyday of Buffalos' jazz scene in the 1940s. But it was his brother, Frankie Dunlop, who achieved fame as a drummer playing with such icons as Thelonius Monk and Charlie Mingus.

That is until one day in the fall of 2011.

It was a chance encounter when photojournalist, Brendan Bannon, visited the Delaware Nursing Home in Buffalo to do a story on seniors. Dunlop simply sat down next to Bannon after coming in from a walk and asked if he was here to see someone. Exchanging pleasantries, Bannon said he was a photographer and Boyd stated he was a musician.

This was the beginning of a unique friendship between the two men. Bannon started recording Dunlop on an old out-of-tune piano and then sent it to a friend in the recording business. All he had wanted was to make an album. Dunlop said, "I waited my whole life for this day and I was gonna do it if it killed me." Dunlop's dream of making a record came true in the winter of 2011. Boyd's Blues was released in December to rave reviews.

Since that time, Dunlop has grabbed media headlines and picked up hundreds of fans along the way. He went from playing two concerts a day to an empty room in a nursing home to filling a 600-seat hall with standing room only.

The extraordinary thing about Dunlop is not that he's 85 years old, but rather he's 85 years old and he had held on to his dream of one day making an album. And that's exactly what he did.
Dunlop is a perfect example of holding on to your hopes and never giving up. You just never know what opportunities lie ahead to help you realize your goals. A little faith goes a long way.
In Dunlop's words, "people don't understand, life is what you make it. Never knock it."

Dunlop's story is about not just about nurturing talent and realizing your goals, but it's also about friendship and opening up yourself to new people. You never know who you will meet, what role they will play in your life and what road they will lead you down.

In May 2012, Dunlop and Bannon started work on Dunlop's second album.

For more information on Boyd Lee Dunlop, visit http://boydleedunlop.com/
Listen to That's Me Playing, Man on CBC Radio: www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/shows/2012/06/24/hour-2-doc-thats-me-playing-man-and-author-peter-behrens/#igImgId_43482



Originally published by Inside Toronto: 
 http://www.insidetoronto.com/community/life/article/1396319--age-well-boyd-lee-dunlop-proves-you-re-never-to-old-to-dream

The Best Exotic Seniors' Movie

Movie Review- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
 

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There has been a slow trickle of movies made for and about older adults and seniors recently. These movies are a wonderful change of pace in that they depict this age group in leading romantic roles – a nice alternative from films of the past that showed the unpleasant side of aging and later life challenges.

Recently, I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a low budget picture with major star attraction. The film is based on These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach and while it probably won’t win an Academy Award for best picture, it sure does leave you with a smile on your fac

Seven seniors facing a crossroads
The film looks at seven seniors facing a crossroads. One woman is left to pick up the pieces after discovering that her late husband’s mismanagement of their money has left her in a financial crisis; two lonely senior singletons set off in search of love and sex and an unhappily married couple are forced to re-evaluate their relationship and self identity after becoming bankrupt. There is also an embittered, socially isolated bigot and a well respected high court judge who finally decides to face his dark past.

This random group of mismatched travellers somehow get thrown together when they all wind up at the same rundown hotel in Rajasthan India. Amidst the backdrop of a loud, chaotic and vibrant India, they each learn how to cope with their personal issues which sets the stage for the next chapter in their lives.

The most surprising character
For me, the most surprising person is played by Tom Wilkinson. The character is a renowned figure in the legal world and viewers may be surprised at his story and the path he takes in the film. What is so refreshing is how matter-of-fact the character is about his personal life choices as an older man. When he is able to rid himself of shame and guilt, the end result is a beautiful and romantic emotional tragedy for the viewer.

The movie is full of optimism and passion. It’s about self discovery and understanding your true worth. It’s about facing obstacles and overcoming them. And it’s about finding love when you’ve given up all hope.

It doesn’t matter how old you are to relate to this film. Life throws curve balls and you need to figure out how to handle each mess that you find yourself in. On the bright side, you also need to celebrate your own victories, no matter how small.

Looking for love
We’re all looking for love and companionship. We all want to feel good about ourselves. We all seek companionship from lovers and friends. To feel loved, to belong, to feel valued and respected—these are things that we can sometimes lose along the way as we make our way through the world. But we continually seek them out because these are what make us human and bind us to others.


By Michele Cauch, Executive Director, SageHealth Network

Published in Comfort Life Magazine http://www.comfortlife.ca/blog/review-the-best-exotic-seniors-movie-8068/