John Kloser grew up during the Great Depression and remembers scrimping and saving for his first guitar. To this day, John remembers walking into Renier’s Music at age 23 and buying his first guitar, a Gibson, along with a Mel Bay beginning guitar book.
As soon as Kloser taught himself to play that guitar, friends came over and joined him for jam sessions, including George Mootz, who played the accordion. As more friends joined them over the years, in the 1990s they formed a band they called “Older and Bolder,” which still performs to this day. Their mission has always been to “bring joy, build community, and share the love of music.”
Maury Niemer was another one of the original band members. He started out singing with the group, then at age 70 taught himself to play guitar. Pat Niemer said of his dad, “He was really into performing with the group. At family gatherings he would brag about how many gigs they’d have in a year. Several years it was well over 100 performances. It’s part of what kept him young and active for so many years. “ Maury played until he was 96 years old.
The first performance of Older and Bolder was at a family picnic, and not long after Luther Manor invited them to play for their residents. That started their long history of performing at senior centers and residences as well as other occasions. They also tailgated at Iowa football games, performing in the parking lot before the games.
Years later, Older and Bolder has evolved but they still perform around the area at senior centers, parties, and other events. Several of the musicians have been with the group for many years, like Jerry Stangl who has been playing accordion with the group on and off for about 25 years.
“I enjoy playing these good old songs that are pretty, and people can sing along,” says Stangl. “At times it’s hectic playing three or four times a week, but so many times the people tell us they look forward to us coming every month and the songs bring back so many memories. That makes it worthwhile for me, and I really enjoy playing with the group.”
A recent sing-along held at Ennoble Nursing and Rehabilitation consisted of two accordion players, three guitarists, one violinist, one percussionist, and vocalists, along with a roomful of residents in full voice. The audience sang along on tunes like Red River Valley, Peg O’ My Heart, Redwing, My Wild Irish Rose, and the like. One of their favorites seemed to be You Are My Sunshine.
Just before his 96th birthday this past summer, John Kloser, now a resident of Sunset Park Place in Dubuque, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award “in recognition of a life dedicated to the love of music, the joy of community, and the spirit of giving.” Older and Bolder performed at the awards ceremony, and Life Engagement Coordinator Shelly Gessner presented Kloser with a certificate, a trophy of a guitar player, and a “Guitar Dude” t-shirt that Kloser wears with pride.
What makes Older and Bolder so popular? According to Gessner, “Their performance is nostalgic, professional, and takes us all on a walk down Memory Lane.” She says the residents love every minute of their shows and beg for more. “The music lets the words fall out of our mouths. They not only meet their goal of bringing joy through music but go above and beyond.”
Tracey Rush is a local music teacher, composer, conductor, and Master Gardener, and is adjusting to life with a retired husband.
This article was originally published in CHOICES For Fifty Plus, a Dubuque area magazine for people that are 50 and older. Single copies are available at Dubuque area newsstands or click here to read the digital version of the latest issue.
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