SURPRISE SERENADE
Autumn Kings deliver special Mother’s Day gift for Amherstburg senior
Maggie Bystryk danced and swayed along to the live music playing just below her second-floor balcony Saturday at Seasons Retirement Home in Amherstburg.
Her daughter Becky Ewen arranged for the local band Autumn Kings to perform as a Mother’s Day gift.
“It’s amazing, amazing,” Bystryk said as Jake Diab and Joe Coccimiglio braved chilly conditions to perform four songs, complete with guitar, microphones, soundboard and speakers.
“We’ve only got one chance to impress Maggie so we gotta do it right,” vocalist Diab said as they checked all the equipment.
Diab and Coccimiglio opened their set with a lively cover of Twist and Shout, which immediately brought the 88-year-old out of her patio chair and onto her feet. They followed up with another cover, of Sweet Caroline, and closed with two original songs in Love Let Go and Devil in Disguise.
“Best Mother’s Day ever,” Bystryk said. “I’ve never been serenaded before in my life.”
It was just the emotional lift Ewen was hoping for this Mother’s Day when restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID -19 meant they couldn’t share the day together.
“This is so generous of them to come out,” Ewen said.
She kept the mini concert a surprise until Bystryk spied Diab, Coccimiglio along with Tibor Bognar and Henry Nadasi setting up.
“What a surprise,” Bystryk said. “It’s amazing.”
Ewen saw the Autumn Kings doing a pop-up concert in Windsor near her own daughter’s home and thought it would be a great idea for her mother.
Diab said the group has been livestreaming performances but they plan on doing more pop-ups.
“It’s such a strange, weird time,” Diab said. “I got tired of sitting in my basement doing nothing to help. Other people were making masks and I wanted to do something worthwhile. The best way I can possibly contribute is with music.”
A few other Seasons’ residents poked their heads outside to listen in Saturday, as did several staff members.
“We’re gonna spread some positivity today,” Diab told his socially distanced audience.