The Rock God of Assisted Living Facilities

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/10/18

 A seasoned Musician (Vocals, Guitar and Piano), Filmmaker, and Actor, J.D. Mata has composed 100 songs and performed 100 shows and venues throughout. He has been a regular at the legendary “Whisky a Go Go,” where he has wooed audiences with his original shamanistic musical performances. He has written and directed nerous feature films, web series, and music videos. J.D. has also appeared in various national T.V. commercials and shows. Memorable appearances are TRUE BLOOD (HBO) as Tio Luca, THE UPS Store National television commercial, and the lead in the Lil Wayne music video, HOW TO LOVE, with over 129 million views. As a MOHAWK MEDICINE MAN, J.D. also led the spiritual-based film KATERI, which won the prestigious “Capex Dei” award at the Vatican in Rome. J.D. co-starred, performed and wrote the music for the original world premiere play, AN ENEMY of the PUEBLO — by one of today’s preeminent Chicana writers, Josefina Lopez! This is J.D.’s third Fringe; last year, he wrote, directed and starred in the Fringe Encore Performance award-winning “A Night at the Chicano Rock Opera.” He is in season 2 of his NEW YouTube series, ROCK god! J.D. is a native of McAllen, Texas and resides in North Hollywood, California. 

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: I guess you have a new album or an older music collection in older language. It’s an interesting situation with the online space now because it’s not typically a physical album or disc anymore—it’s streamed most of the time. Anyway, you have what we might call an album about ‘Rock God.’ At the same time, you informed me that you performed today or tonight at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles?

J.D. Mata: Actually, it was in Simi Valley, which is about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, in Ventura County. So I was in Simi Valley, entertaining at an assisted living facility. 

Jacobsen: Why would they choose ‘The Rock God’ over backgammon, chess, cards night, or even an early rest? Also, how did you get the gig? 

Mata: Those are a lot of questions, but I want to clarify that it’s not an album called ‘Rock God.’ It’s a YouTube series.

Jacobsen: Thank you for the correction. So, yes, it’s a YouTube series.

Mata: I call it ‘Rock God. ‘ The premise is about Aaron, a struggling musician who sets out to live his dreams in Los Angeles. You see his struggles; ultimately, he becomes a ‘Rock God,’ but in the nursing home circuit. This concept was created before the pandemic. I have 12 episodes up, or 11. Season 1 consists of 10 episodes, shot over the last three to three-and-a-half years as I developed the pre-pandemic concept.

I shot the first couple of episodes initially, but then the pandemic hit, and I could no longer enter nursing homes due to COVID-19. Musicians weren’t allowed anywhere near, which threw off the entire premise. So, ‘Rock God’ shifted temporarily, but I’m now returning to the original concept. The series is essentially about the struggles of a musician. I’ve had plenty of horror stories and beautiful moments about the realities of this life.

I recommend that people check YouTube and search for ‘Rock God J.D. Mata’ to watch the episodes. You can also go to X (formerly known as Twitter), where I have uploaded all 11 episodes. We’re technically the first comedy series on X.

Regarding today’s conversation, it’s fascinating because I want to correct myself—I’ve been using the term ‘nursing homes,’ but ‘assisted living facilities’ is more accurate. I’ve performed at these places, ‘nursing homes,’ since the early 1980s. The pandemic halted that, but I recently started again, reclaiming the ‘Rock God’ of the nursing home circuit.

I want to be as accurate as possible. There are no longer nursing homes, per se; it’s assisted living. That makes sense because “nursing home” carries a negative connotation, and there have been many advances.

However, some facilities are strictly nursing homes where people are bedridden or confined. But many people here have difficulty walking or need 24/7 care. That’s the facility I played at today, and it’s adorable. It’s in the middle of a strip mall so residents can access the pharmacy, Rite Aid, and coffee shop more efficiently. It’s an excellent concept.

I was the ‘Rock God,’ and in a way, that term is accurate. If they had lighters, they would’ve lit them! I played “Hotel California,” “Freebird,” and “Pretty Woman,” and they were all singing along. They knew the words, which is interesting because, back in the eighties, I was doing “All of Me” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

In a way, I am the ‘Rock God’ because I’ve been playing classic rock songs for years, and many of my contemporaries haven’t tapped into the assisted living circuit yet. They don’t know about it; they’re still playing the bars. But, man, I’ll tell you what.

I haven’t shot this particular episode yet, but I look at their faces and eyes, and they’re so into it. I look at some women and think, “She was probably hot in her twenties.” And they’re still beautiful in their way. 

Jacobsen: Were there any particular people who stood out during your performance? Maybe someone with a cane or in a wheelchair who came to life in a heartwarming way.

Mata: A hundred percent. Three people come to mind. It’s a couple, then a gentleman and another woman. The first couple—his name is Richard or Dick, and his girlfriend’s name is Judy. I remember their names fondly. I use word association to remember names—Richard because of “Dick’s Office Supply.” My dad worked for Dick’s Office Supply, so that’s how I remember. And Judy, I sing “Hey Jude” to her, which makes it easy to remember.

This couple always holds hands when I perform. I played some 50s songs like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,”and they recognized them. They were probably teenagers when those songs were hits. They held hands and swayed to the music. I feel like I took them back to their youth. I also played “Rock Around the Clock” and “Let’s Go to the Hop,” I could imagine them as teenyboppers at a sock hop, dancing and being in love. They left an impact on me.

Then there’s another gentleman named Paul. He’s hunched over, strolls with a walker, and can barely look at you because he is hunched. It’s hard to understand him, but he’s sharp as a whip. His challenges are primarily physical, though there might be some cognitive decline. But he’s funny, remembers my name, and engages with the show. I’ll joke with him and say, “Paul, you still owe me money!” He’ll reply, “How much?” and we laugh.

There’s also a woman in a wheelchair whose name I can’t remember, but she’s incredibly witty. She gets all the jokes and is always engaged. People like her, along with Paul, make the performances memorable.

Like, for example, one of the jokes that I use when I go to these places, and they have a great sense of humour, is this: I start by saying, “today, I got a package in the mail. I got a box in the mail.” They’re engaged and ask, “Who was it from?” I reply, “It was a package from my ex-girlfriend.” They go, “Oh,” and I say, “Yes, I shook it, and man, that thing was heavy—it made a thumping noise. I opened it up, and guess what was inside?” They ask, “What?” I say, “Moccasins.” They go, “Moccasins?” I say, “Yes, water moccasins.” Then they say, “Oh, water moccasins, the snake.”

Everybody knows what water moccasins are. Then I tell them, “You’ll never guess what I did. I got a pot, boiled some water, threw the moccasins in, and guess what? I’m inviting my ex-girlfriend over for dinner.” They all laugh—they get that type of humour.

And then there’s this particular woman who always adds to the joke. I am trying to remember exactly what she says, but she’s super funny and has a biting sense of humour. Seeing her in a wheelchair makes you appreciate the human body and mind. The body might be a shell, but the mind is where the miracle is.

I go on with the show, continuing the joke: “We broke up because one day she showed up early in the morning after being out all night. Her hair is dishevelled. I ask, ‘Where have you been?’ and she says, ‘I was at my sister’s house.’ But I knew she lied because I was with her sister all night.” The audience laughs—they love these jokes and are still old enough to get them.

That particular woman I mentioned always retorts to something I say in a clever, funny way—not mean-spirited, but in good fun. She becomes part of the act. I have some memorable moments with the residents while I play music.

And as I mentioned earlier, they sing along with me when I play Pretty Woman or Stand by Me. When I play Piano Man, they’re right there with me, too. If they still had access to lighters, they’d light them to my music.

Jacobsen: Do you get many invitations now?

Mata: I opened up an email a couple of days ago from another place, so yes, I’m starting to get more invites. I’m becoming the rock guy—word travels. Before the pandemic, I did it for years because it’s a circuit. Like people tour arenas and play bars, there’s also a circuit for assisted living homes. And now, I’m doing three of those facilities regularly. Before the pandemic, I performed at about seven different facilities throughout LA. I was the rock god of the assisted living circuit.

Jacobsen: As you play for these people, many of whom are later in life, what feeling comes up for you?

Mata: As I was leaving, one of the staff members said, “Man, you bring so much enthusiasm and energy to these performances. Many musicians show up, play, and then leave, but you put your whole heart and soul into it. You engage with the audience.” And I told her, “You’re right.” I’ve played in all kinds of settings—I’ve performed for the Fly on the Wall at a bar, and I’ve also performed for 100,000 people at a concert during my Tejano days. Whether it’s for one person or 100,000, I give the same energy and the same passion.

The folks at the assisted living homes get the same juice from me as anyone else, whether it’s a small venue or a big one. It doesn’t matter. It’s all about the performance. If you have passion for what you do, you will give it your all, no matter the situation or location.

I love it—I’m passionate about it. Even as an actor, it’s the same thing. I’m going to be authentic, always. As a musician, my authentic self comes out when I perform and with passion.

Jacobsen: You are one of the most authentic people I know. At the same time, you’ve made sacrifices in your life for that authenticity. You may not make as much money or have a large social circle, but the people in your life matter, and the money you make, you’ve earned. You live a meaningful life.

Mata: It’s funny you say that because you become wiser as you get older. You start to see things more clearly. But that doesn’t happen to everyone. Some people get older and don’t necessarily become wiser. Sometimes, you don’t know what you don’t know.

I’m not going to claim that I have all the answers. There’s that saying, “It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.” And for those reading this, Jose is a practicing Catholic and a longtime choir conductor for a Catholic choir. So, this wisdom comes from a life of practice.

Yes, I had a moment of understanding tonight, Earl, before our conversation when you mentioned the sacrifice of poverty. It’s not about being rich or poor; it’s a metaphor. I don’t think people go to hell because they’re rich. But I understand it now.

Let me explain. I was in a horrible situation some time ago—I won’t give specifics because I don’t want to implicate anyone—but I knew some affluent people. I was in the wrong spot financially, emotionally, and career-wise. I never asked for help, though I got through it with some people’s support. However, one person had the means to help but didn’t. I never asked them for help, but they clarified that they won’t help struggling artists. For me, it wasn’t about being an artist but about working through life. Life is messy, and that’s the truth.

The thing is, I get where she’s coming from. I understood it yesterday because it’s not that she didn’t want to help me—it’s that she’s never struggled. It doesn’t matter; the person has never gone through what I’ve gone through. I get that.

I know that I’ll have wealth one day, and who knows? I’ll be the same way. Maybe wealth changes you. But I doubt it because I’m 59, and I’ve been through many struggles. Many wealthy people have helped me out of tricky situations, and I haven’t forgotten that.

I get it if you’re wealthy and have never gone through what I have. That person has never experienced the same hardships because they were born with wealth. They don’t know what they don’t know. For them, it’s righteous. They might think, “If you feed the cat, the cat’s going to keep coming back,” and then you own the cat. But that was never my intention.

Sometimes, I’m grateful for my path when discussing sacrifice, especially when it leads to moments like today. Yes, I’m paid for performing at assisted living facilities, and they pay me well. Part of me wants to help, but another part needs the money, too. So I do it both because it’s a good deed and because I need the income.

If I accumulate wealth, will I still play at assisted living facilities? Right now, I’d say yes—probably yes—because I’m already a millionaire. I love my life, even though I don’t have much wealth. I’d love to own a grand piano, an Apple Watch, or a big house where I could play music anytime, 24/7. I live in an apartment complex, and I’m not living in poverty.

But compared to absolute poverty, which you’ve probably seen in your travels, I’m fortunate. Here in America, we live like kings and queens. Still, I’d love to have wealth so I could employ people. I could make more movies, hire actors, makeup artists, wardrobe people, and more. These are the things I can’t do now with independent projects because I need the finances to support them.

So yes, being an artist, the “Rock God” of assisted living homes comes with sacrifices. To play these places, you still have to be good—you can’t suck. So, I practice every day. That’s the sacrifice.

The reality is, when you live the life of an artist, you have to sacrifice relationships and family. I always say that you can cheat on me—if I have a girlfriend, it doesn’t bother me. But if you cheat on me artistically, like if you have a party and I’m not the first person you think to hire, then you’ve hurt me. What that says to me is either I’m not good enough, or you don’t value me.

That’s how the artist’s mind works. For me, as JD, the artist and the “Rock God” of the assisted living home circuit, it cuts deep. It’s another entirely different discussion—the artist’s psyche, particularly for me as a musician.

But in my heart, I’m a millionaire. Do I want to be a millionaire in terms of my bank account? Yes. Because wealth is just information, just numbers. You can be wealthy if you think like a millionaire, even if your bank account doesn’t reflect it yet.

For me, it’s just a matter of time. And when my bank account catches up, I hope and pray that I don’t forget where I came from. Some wealthy people remember, but others don’t know what they don’t know. That’s why they say it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter heaven. It’s not a condemnation to hell—it’s a metaphor for understanding. People who haven’t experienced real struggle may not fully understand what it’s like.

So, I don’t resent that person who didn’t help me. I love that person. I get it now. Life is just like that—people are different, and everyone has their way of living.

Every musician should play at assisted living homes.

Jacobsen: JD, thank you for your discussion on assisted living homes. This may be the first conversation I’ve ever had about performing in assisted living homes, especially in a positive light. It’s something new.

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