KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A new documentary set to air on public television will spotlight a West Michigan musician’s decades-long career of bringing live music to seniors in long-term care.
“An Instrument of Healing” explores the career of Bob Rowe, a successful recording artist who, through his nonprofit Renaissance Enterprises, channels his talent and energy into lifting up seniors through song, according to a release shared with WKZO.
Produced by Eric Hennig and Vague Productions, the half-hour documentary premieres in August on WGVU-TV, part of the PBS public television network.
“This film is the most comprehensive I’ve been involved in that it shows why we do what we do, what it means to me, and what it means to our seniors,” Rowe said in a statement.
Filmed at senior care facilities and other locations around West Michigan, “An Instrument of Healing” includes musical performances and an array of interviews.
Rowe’s popular original song, “Higher Ground,” opens the film, which closes with another original, “Riverbend.”
“I’m so pleased with the personal nature of this film,” Rowe said. “It describes why I’m so dedicated to seniors and what led me to create Renaissance Enterprises.”
An added bonus, Rowe said, was having friends and fellow performers Luke Lenhart, Don Bradford and Rendal Wall, of the Green Valley Boys, appear in the film as well.
A Battle Creek native, Rowe began his career by playing to small audiences in area clubs, coffee houses, and concert halls in West Michigan and in the Chicago area.
By the 1980s, he was opening for major artists such as country music legend Ernest Tubb.
Rowe has recorded more than 22 albums and published hundreds of songs, poetry compilations, songbooks, and other publications.
He has appeared on national and regional television networks, and his music has been featured on Clear Channel Radio, EWTN radio, SiriusXM Radio and other networks.
He also enjoyed chart success with his recording of “Hallelujah” in 2010. Often performing together with The Green Valley Boys, he continues to make and share his music.
Bob Rowe and Green Valley Boys. (Photo courtesy Rick Chambers).
In 1988, Rowe created Renaissance Enterprises, a nonprofit organization providing free music and art programs to nursing homes, senior apartment dwellings and other institutions that lack access to such programs.
This outreach, inspired by Bob’s deep love for the elderly, has garnered him multiple awards, notably the prestigious Mother Teresa Laureate in 2006.
He is also a recipient of the International Peace Award.
“Many people ask me how I got started doing a full-time music outreach for seniors. This film does a good job of explaining my passion to make a difference,” Rowe said.
He thanked WGVU for debuting the new film, which is also being targeted for other PBS stations nationwide.
“An Instrument of Healing” will air on the following dates:
- Aug. 24 on WGVU Life (broadcast channel 35.3) at 10 p.m.
- Aug. 27 on WGVU-HD (channel 35.1) at 10:30 p.m.
- Aug. 31 on WGVU-HD at 3:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Rowe said the documentary is one of several highlights for his mission post-pandemic.
Also on tap in 2021 is a new album, “Bob Rowe Classic,” that will feature many of his original songs and other well-known tunes, such as “Vincent” by Don McLean and “Memory” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats.”
Also included are classical sacred pieces with full orchestration.
Readers can learn more online at bobrowemusic.com.
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