By Lauren Schiavone
Hometown Weekly Staff
At the Medfield Council on Aging, Toe Tappin’ Thursdays were implemented to incorporate live music into seniors’ lives on a weekly basis. The live performances showcase a wide range of talent.
To that end, on Thursday, December 8, the Medfield seniors gave a warm welcome to impressionist and singer Joey Voices.
Seniors were offered popcorn for a mid afternoon snack to accompany the performance, which included a seasonal twist and a revisitation of some of their favorite vocalists. Toe Tappin’ Thursdays are ever-popular at the COA, as the variety and level of talent keeps audiences engaged with each performance. Joey Voices’ animated personality and general affinity for entertainment made the afternoon a spectacular event.
Joey Noone, aka Joey Voices, has been entertaining since childhood. The youngest of eight kids, he quickly discovered music was a way to stand out. Given his natural inclination for voice, he has harnessed the power of vocal impersonation. “I’ve been mimicking the radio sine I was a boy," he explained, recalling his upbringing. "My brothers were great athletes. I was good, but I needed a way to stand out in the family. Music was my thing.”
Noone has gone on to compose and share his own original music, but is known for impersonation.
Beginning with a Sam Cooke “Cupid” singalong, Noone had no hesitation when it came to interacting with the crowd. Complete with wigs and costume changes, his song snippets spanned a wide range, from Joe Cocker to Neil Diamond. Amongst the impressive vocal transformations were Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas” and Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.” Seniors recognized the tunes and pointed out that even Noone’s mannerisms matched the icons he was emulating.
For 19 years, Noone has been sharing his love of vocal impressionism and making others smile. The Medfield seniors were grateful for the time to share a laugh together amidst a busy holiday season.
For Noone, the most rewarding part of his work is the audience with whom he’s able to share it. “I love it because it put smiles on people’s hearts," he explained. "You can’t put a price on something like that. People forget about their cares for a while. I love what I do.”
The Medfield Council on Aging hosts various entertaining and educational programs for seniors. The community is welcoming to all. For further programming and information, visit the center in person or online at https://www.town.medfield.net/406/Medfield-COA
