Trading the Big Stage to Find His Joy

Candy Puterbaugh

50plus Magazine

Dominic Franco glimpsed his future at age four when an aunt taught him to play piano by ear. In kindergarten he started singing Elvis’s songs, which he performed at his first “paid gig” at age seven — wedding guests tossed coins in appreciation as he sang.

After marrying, he and his wife Sue had twin girls, and a son — all of whom are musical. Early on he worked odd jobs, eventually landing and staying at Intel for 25 years. He retired in 2016 to focus on music.

Today, many gigs later, 73-year-old Dom serenades seniors at memory and assisted living centers, playing his bright red, handmade Hawaiian steel guitar. He makes his own guitars and has sold 33. The “steel guitar” is so named for the bar used to strum. It’s his favorite instrument, though he also taught himself to play bass, keyboard, mandolin, violin, and banjo.

At Farmington Square recently, his audience sat rapt as he transported them to happy times past. Dom’s kind eyes met theirs while weaving chatter and song.

“Remember Gene Autry? This cowboy song reminds me of my parents,” he says, quietly strumming. “They loved country western music so much they had me take steel guitar lessons at age nine!”Smiling he segues into “Back in the Saddle Again.”

Next, he takes them to Hawaii, “where the steel guitar was invented!” The haunting tune conjures images of hula hands and soft sands and sets the seniors swaying.

“Yell it out if you have a favorite!” Dom calls.

A lady who’s been mouthing every word exclaims: “Whatever you like! I love all the old songs!” Another man raises both hands, conducting. In their own ways they all join in, tapping their feet, clapping, and singing along.

Dom can play thousands of songs by ear, and has 500 memorized, from big band to gospel, and from the 1930s to ‘50s that seniors knew when they were young. He says he’s the only steel guitar player in Oregon performing for retirement homes.

His journey to this place is impressive. During his 50-year career, Dom has toured nationwide, recorded dozens of albums, and played on radio and television. He’s played with working bands and taught music

since high school. His favorite thing though? Singing for seniors.

This he began 20 years ago, singing Christmas carols. That evolved into playing regularly for 70 senior centers; today he plays at two dozen, mostly luaus. Occasionally he rolls his battery-operated cart table to table during meals or plays mini concerts for individuals or families.

“This is what I love to do,” he says. “Music is therapeutic. Some seniors don’t remember some things, but when I play old songs, they remember the words and sing along. Older songs are more singable, and I like the atmosphere and people in senior centers. Everyone has something they can do for others. This is my gift.”

And, he concludes, “Singing for seniors is a spiritual thing for me. It gets especially emotional with older gospel songs. Some seniors cry, telling me their mom used to sing that, and it brings back memories. They are touched and so appreciative. This is my favorite thing, my joy.”

Candy is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, groan-inducing punster, writer, competitive runner, pet lover and tender of gardens.