Godolphin seeks to entertain with Have Keyboard Will Travel
After hearing on the news that the nursing homes may be re-opening, Godolphin, 79, said he seeks to attract nursing homes, assisted living and retirement communities in the immediate area, providing one-hour mini concerts featuring Gospel music, oldies and special requests.
Being a senior himself, he conceded, “I am not a fabulous musician, but I can play hundreds of songs from the era seniors are familiar with.
“My program welcomes requests,” Godolphin added. “We have a birthday break (when) we all sing for the lucky residents.” He also pumps up and twists some birthday balloons as part of the experience.
Originally from Pasadena, California, he has spent 27 years in the piano, organ and keyboard business.
“During the coronavirus pandemic I got the idea for Have Keyboard Will Travel,” Godolphin said. “I had played mini concerts for some Alzheimer units when my ex-mother-in-law was admitted.
“And, I played piano for the downtown Knoxville (Knox Area Rescue Ministries) Chapel monthly for about three years with my friend, David Lynch, preaching,” he added.
Godolphin’s love for music started when he was 15, when he and his mother saw a Hammond organ in a store window and decided to buy one. He recalled the purchase came with some free lessons.
After using the free lessons, they bought more.
After high school, Godolphin attended Pasadena City College, majoring in pre-engineering, before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and working on cruise missiles a year later. After his discharge from the Air Force in 1965, he re-entered college but changed his major to music.
He worked for several years at Sears, demonstrating and selling organs before joining Kimball Piano & Organ Co. of Indiana in 1968 to train salesmen.
Godolphin and friend, Bill Jones, decided to move their families to Knoxville in 1973 and opened their own chain of stores in Suburban Center.
A year later, they added a Magnavox franchise and moved to West Town Mall as Kimball/Magnavox Home Entertainment Center.
The business’ growth led to more locations at East Town Mall, North Broadway, Chattanooga and Johnson City. However, he recalled, the piano business hit a slump by 1990.
“The Kimball, Baldwin and Wurlitzer piano and organ factories all closed,” he said. “I sold my shares of our business to Bill Jones.”
Music is Godolphin’s third “career.” He also is a computer programmer, retired photographer — and a retired clown along with wife, Dottie GoDolphin, where he developed the talent of twisting balloons.
To book a mini concert, call 865-661-5690 or e-mail him at godolphin23@gmail.com.
