The title “The River City Band” might be misleading.

The “band” is actually one man, Phillip Martin. However, when the music begins, if eyes were closed, it would be a “band.”

Martin brought his solo show to the Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center in Brundidge Tuesday much to the obvious delight of the participants.

The solo music that sounds so much like a band had the nutrition center participants, clapping, tapping, smiling, singing and even dancing in the aisles.

And that’s the way he likes it, said Martin, who has a soft place in his heart for seniors.

At his shows, Martin takes the seniors on a walk down memory lane.

“The show is designed for ‘boomers,’” he said. “It’s made up of songs from five decades.”

Martin has been taking his solo show to nursing homes, retirement communities and churches since 2007. He was recognized for his commitment to the senior citizens by being named to the Alabama Seniors Hall of Fame.

Although he is proud of the honor, his real joy comes from seeing the smiles on the faces of the seniors who come to his show.

Perhaps it was a happen-so or maybe it was by divine design that Martin became an advocate for senior citizens.

He was singing for a “senior” cousin and she enjoyed it so much he decided to take his show on the road. Now, he never fails to be touched by those he touches with his music.

“I have a special girlfriend,” Martin said. “She’s 93 and every time I’m there she wants me to sing, ‘You Are My Sunshine’ and she cries every time.”

Martin said songs bring back special memories for so many because music is such a part of life and it just make people feel good.

“After one show, a lady said to me, ‘I had fun,’” Martin said. “I didn’t know until later that she had stroke five years earlier and that was the first time she had spoken.”

Although Martin has not been formally trained in music, he uses his “ear” for music and his voice to bring happiness and joy to seniors.

“I play and sing the music they grew up with,” he said. “Eddie Arnold, Glenn Miller, Hank Williams, The Comets. I do a few belly-rubbin’ songs they can dance to. Songs that take them back to sock hops and drive-in movies. And I especially enjoy visiting with the participants after the show.”

Martin stayed around to visit with the seniors at Brundidge Nutrition Center because he knows “a visit means the world to them.”