Local musician George Mann to release ‘Labor Day’ album

Growing up in rural Long Island, George Mann’s truck-driving father and school-teaching mother worked while raising Mann and his three sisters. 

“In a small town where most people knew each other,” he said, “people cared about their neighbors, and families were often close to each other, with kids in the same grades and on the same teams.”

Mann was writing songs and playing in bands by the time he was 15, and now he is producing an upcoming album with Si Kahn, scheduled to be released to radio on Aug. 26 and available to the general public on Sept. 2, a fitting release date, since the title of the album is “Labor Day.”

He started his career playing in many of Long Island’s popular music venues. He was also drawn to journalism and became editor of his high school paper. While playing in rock bands, he pursued a degree in English at SUNY Stony Brook, and by his junior year he was freelancing for the Long Island section of The New York Times. In his senior year, he was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper and a campus stringer for Newsday, Long Island’s daily newspaper.

After graduating with degrees in English, journalism and a master’s degree in creative writing, Mann worked with the Communication Workers of America (CWA), and from there went on to Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians, eventually moving to New York City, where the union was based.

But all these years that Mann was writing, editing, publishing and organizing, he was also playing music, creating music, getting to know other musicians — and having fun with it all. He has produced more than 20 albums, including seven compilation CDs featuring many great folk artists. He released his latest CD, “This Chain,” in October 2023.

By 2010, Mann was sure of three things: he was ready to leave New York City after 14 years; he wanted to play music full time and make a living doing it; and he wanted to live in the Ithaca area.

Mann had been to Wilburland, Will Russell’s recording studio in Newfield, and began recording there in 2007, making trips up from New York City to record his albums in between tours. The beautiful old church, and Will Russell’s personal touch on Mann’s recordings, were enough to draw him to the Ithaca area.

Over the years, Mann has featured many of Ithaca’s finest musicians on his albums: Doug Robinson, Michael Wellen, Molly MacMillan, Rich DePaolo, Marie and Annie Burns, Judy Hyman and many more are found on songs from the 12 albums Mann has recorded at Wilburland Studios.

Living near gorges and trails, preserves and open expanses was like a long, cold drink after 14 years in the loud, crowded city. And Mann was pleased to unpack in his new home and begin working.

“The first big realization I had was that without a steady paycheck, you have to keep hustling for gigs.” And so he did. Mann began building a base of more than 30 residential facilities in which he still sings. He has performed in adult care and veterans’ residences and nursing homes throughout central New York, from Binghamton to Batavia, Syracuse to Bath, including many of Ithaca’s senior residences.

Whether his audiences are dealing with the effects of Agent Orange exposure, PTSD, dementia or the loneliness of old age and loss, he notes the generational favorites — John Denver; Peter, Paul and Mary; Johnny Cash; Hank Williams; Everly Brothers; Elvis; and, of course, the Beatles.

Each week Mann provides eight to 12 concerts, adapting each session to the group’s interests, often playing favorite songs and requests from the audience. Some facilities want music to enliven monthly group birthday celebrations or holiday events. And with each audience participation, his fan base grows. Administrators frequently field “the George question”:  “Is today a George day?”

For some in Mann’s audience, he fills a gap for those whose family and friends never visit. For some, his songs bring back memories of happier times. “Music is something that stays with us to the end of our lives, especially the songs we grew up with,” Mann said. “Hearing people sing along is one of the best parts of this work.” 

Mann plays to eager people in wheelchairs and sings and repeats choruses in a way everyone can grasp the words. Fans noted that they had loved a song Mann played, but had never before “gotten” the words. Mann loves the music he plays, but mostly he loves to play the music so that the audience can really connect.

When Mann plays an audience favorite, a solitary chap becomes enthralled and begins to “play the drums,” in the air, pacing his movements to the beats of the song. Some in the mature crowd who rarely speak call out the names of songs they love. 

Music by Mann moves people. As one of his family members noted, “I watched a usually closed-down woman jump into a song Mann was playing and when the next chorus came, Mann said, ‘Take it away!’ and she proudly soloed. … Now, when Mann plays that song, it’s one part of one hour each week that woman lays down her sadness and rocks.”

When a new resident moves into a facility, Mann extends an individual welcome session so he can learn a bit about the new resident and what kind of music they enjoy. As he gets to know his audience, he brings in the music that will delight and evoke memories of times when residents’ lives were less lonely or constrained.  

In some facilities, Mann has organized resident choruses, which rehearse and perform at concerts, or features a specific audience member who can solo on one of their favorite songs. 

“Being in nursing homes and other senior venues gives me great satisfaction,” Mann said. “It’s a wonderful day job. Every day is unique, and I have grown to know and care about many fine people over the years.”

Stay tuned for more about Mann’s recording and touring life. And in the meantime, watch for his upcoming “Labor Day” CD. More information about George Mann and his work, including videos and concert dates, can be found at www.georgemannmusic.com.