Big Jim and The Sands of Time

"Bringing Music, Light and Love to
Seniors​ in Greater Kansas City"

Hello! I'm Jim Schrader. Since I was eight years old, I've spent my life playing music and sharing music with the people I love. I grew up in a very musical family. Everyone played an instrument and sang. We were always making music in our home, and our friends and extended family knew they were expected to join in! Even if they didn't play an instrument, they'd be handed some maracas, or a tambourine, a kazoo, coffee can or a pot or pan, spoons, or some kitchen utensil!

My musical studies began with the accordion and trumpet. Before long I moved to the piano, which I happily play most every day now. And I have brought my love for playing the piano and singing, along with my talent for telling jokes and stories together... for what has become my greatest joy: bringing music, light and love to senior communities in the greater Kansas City area! 

A Big Jim welcome to activity directors and program staffers. You are our valued customers, and our trusted guides in helping us provide your residents with great shows they will LOVE.

Thanks in advance for scrolling down now! Please take a few moments to watch our latest show demonstration video, and look over our FAQ and growing song list...

Big Jim and The Sands of Time

CALL / TEXT:  816.520.0393

  EMAIL: seniors@skykc.com

Show Demonstration (3:00)

Activity & Program Directors FAQ:

Q: "Big Jim and The Sands of Time" sounds like a band. How many people are in this act?
A: One. Jim Schrader on piano & vocals, sharing stories and games and jokes.

Q: Do you give shows for the full range of senior audiences?
A: Yes. Shows for every sort of senior, plus something for kids of all ages.

Q: How long does your show last? Can you provide music for special themed events? 
A: Shows are typically one hour. And yes—we can create special shows for any occasion.

Q: Do you bring along sheet music, and read chords & lyrics while performing?
A: Not for our standard one hour shows. We prefer to keep eye contact with our audience.

Q: How do you respond to audience requests for a particular song?
A: If we know the song—we'll happily perform it. If not, we'll learn it for our next visit.

Q: Do you bring all your own equipment? Do you need help setting up?
A: We bring all the gear we need on one cart. No loading or setup assistance needed.

Q: Do you carry liability insurance? Can you provide proof of insurance?
A: Yes. We are insured and can provide certification upon request.

Contact Big Jim Schrader TODAY!

CALL / TEXT:  816.520.0393

  EMAIL: seniors@skykc.com

Big Jim and The Sands of Time  SONG LIST

..adding new tunes every week, by heart!

decade song title original artist genre
1940s God Bless The Child Billie Holiday blues
1940s It Had to Be You Harry Connick, Jr, pop 
1940s Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree Glenn Miller Orchestra big band
1940s Somewhere Over The Rainbow Judy Garland pop
1940s Swinging On A Star Bing Crosby swing
1940s You Are My Sunshine Jimmy Davis country
decade song title original artist genre
1950s Sentimental Journey Ames Brothers big band
1950s Fly Me to the Moon Frank Sinatra jazz
1950s Love Me Tender Elvis Presley ballad
1950s Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Presley rockabilly
1950s Sixteen Tons Tennesee Ernie Ford folk & CW
1950s Sh-Boom! The Crew Cuts doo-wop
1950s Rock Around the Clock Bill Haley and the Comets rock & roll
1950s Mack the Knife Bobby Darrin jazz / pop
decade song title original artist genre
1960s My Favorite Things Sound of Music show tune
1960s What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong pop / jazz
1960s Downtown Petula Clark pop rock
1960s King of The Road Roger Miller country
1960s Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond pop rock
1960s Another Saturday Night Sam Cooke pop soul
1960s My Girl  The Temptations soul pop
1960s Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison pop rock
1960s Leavin’ On A Jet Plane Peter, Paul, and Mary folk rock
1960s Raindrops Keep Fallin’... B. J. Thomas pop rock
1960s Wichita Lineman Glen Campbell country
decade song title original artist genre
1970s It’s Too Late Carole King pop rock
1970s Tie A Yellow Ribbon Tony Orlando & Dawn pop / AOR
1970s Bad Bad Leroy Brown Jim Croce folk pop
1970s Operator Jim Croce folk pop
1970s Joy To The World Three Dog Night pop rock
1970s IF... David Gates & Bread soft rock
1970s You’ve Got A Friend James Taylor soft rock
1970s I Got The Music In Me Kiki Dee rock
song title original artist genre
God Bless The Child Billie Holiday blues
It Had to Be You Harry Connick, Jr, pop 
Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree Glenn Miller Orchestra big band
Somewhere Over The Rainbow Judy Garland pop
Swinging On A Star Bing Crosby swing
You Are My Sunshine Jimmy Davis country
song title original artist genre
Sentimental Journey Ames Brothers big band
Fly Me to the Moon Frank Sinatra jazz
Love Me Tender Elvis Presley ballad
Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Presley rockabilly
Sixteen Tons Tennesee Ernie Ford folk & CW
Sh-Boom! The Crew Cuts doo-wop
Rock Around the Clock Bill Haley and the Comets rock & roll
Mack the Knife Bobby Darrin jazz / pop
song title original artist genre
My Favorite Things Sound of Music show tune
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong pop / jazz
Downtown Petula Clark pop rock
King of The Road Roger Miller country
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond pop rock
Another Saturday Night Sam Cooke pop soul
My Girl  The Temptations soul pop
Brown Eyed Girl Van Morrison pop rock
Leavin’ On A Jet Plane Peter, Paul, and Mary folk rock
Raindrops Keep Fallin’... B. J. Thomas pop rock
Wichita Lineman Glen Campbell country
song title original artist genre
It’s Too Late Carole King pop rock
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Tony Orlando & Dawn pop / AOR
Bad Bad Leroy Brown Jim Croce folk pop
Operator Jim Croce folk pop
Joy To The World Three Dog Night pop rock
IF... David Gates & Bread soft rock
You’ve Got A Friend James Taylor soft rock
I Got The Music In Me Kiki Dee rock
Schedule Big Jim TODAY 
for a show your residents will LOVE!

CALL / TEXT:  816.520.0393

  EMAIL: seniors@skykc.com