MUSICIANS TAILOR END-OF-LIFE CARE PERFORMANCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 19, 2009

MUSICIANS TAILOR END-OF-LIFE CARE PERFORMANCES

Santa Fe, New Mexico-Kevin and Karen McLaughlin are helping end-of-life care providers by presenting interactive musical performances at nursing homes, assisted living centers and bereavement support groups.

The psychosocial and spiritual support of residents is a key component in all end-of-life care research. The McLaughlins are leaders in the New Mexico field by presenting tailored performances to meet the needs of residents.

Karen and Kevin McLaughlin help people face death with courage, and work with professional and family caregivers in compassionate and ethical end-of-life care through their album, talks and performances.

"Our collaborative performances at Rosemont Assisted Living & Alzheimer's Community, Kingston Residence and Ponce De Leon Retirement Community have been quite rewarding for us," says Kevin McLaughlin. "We are developing important relationships with seniors throughout New Mexico. We firmly believe that music is a major component in the best care practices of nursing homes and assisted living residences and enjoy working with activity directors and administrators who are incorporating our sessions into the daily care routines of their residents," adds McLaughlin.

Kevin and Karen McLaughlin recently released an album, "With Love and Appreciation (When a Loved One Dies)," which offers the fruits of their journey of caring for and emotionally supporting the dying. Inspired by traditional Buddhist, Christian and Hindu teachings, this album is a source for all those who are charged with a dying person's care, facing their own death, losing a loved one orwishing to better understand the transformative power of the dying process.

The McLaughlins' lessons are inspired by Joan Farnham McLaughlin's life and death (1918-2008), as they learned to contemplate death without fear, develop a commitment to helping others, and transform suffering and resistance into courage and release.

"Our album and our current work is a tribute to the close relationship we had with my mother that was so uplifting and inspirational," says Kevin McLaughlin. "I was fortunate to become a close friend with my mother as an adult. During a phone call with her when she was 89 years old she told me she only had a few months left to live. It was during the months before her death that I wrote the first five songs on "With Love and Appreciation (When a Loved One Dies)" to share with her."

PAST AND UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
June 8, 2009, 2 p.m.              Rosemont Assisted Living & Alzheimer's Community of Santa Fe
July 7, 2009,    3 p.m.           Kingston Residence of Santa Fe
August 12, 2009, 7:15 p.m.    Ponce De Leon Retirement Community - Private Event.

For the past 35 years Kevin McLaughlin has recorded in the studio, performed with many top bands in night clubs, festivals, fairs, civic events, and many other musical events. Karen and Kevin have been performing and recording music together for 15 years. With the release of "With Love and Appreciation (When a Loved One Dies)," the McLaughlins have dedicated their talent and years of experience to a music and lecture program on end-of-life care that is uplifting and full of clarity and compassion. Kevin plays acoustic guitar, Karen plays percussion, and both contribute voice. The presentation consists of a performance of each song with a discussion of the creative process and its relevance to the emotional journey, followed by questions the audience may have and general discussion interspersed with popular songs from the 30's, 40's and 50's to provide light entertainment for residents. Karen also offers her insights gained from working as a certified nurse assistant in nursing homes.

BOOKINGS: (503) 720-8343

CD:

"With Love and Appreciation (When a Loved One Dies)," released May 2009, $15. Order at (503) 720-8345 or www.withloveworld.com. The 11-track set was produced by Blue Sky Production. Also available in Santa Fe at Hastings in the Local Artist Music section and Christus St. Vincent Hospital Gift Shop.

http://www.withloveworld.com/

Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com