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Singer Jerry McClain, 81, loves Snohomish
By MELANIE RUSSELL
Published October 7, 2015
Doug Ramsay photo, dougramsayphoto.photoshelter.com



With his wife Elaine alongside him for support, Jerry McClain celebrated his 81st birthday singing to patrons of Andy’s Fish House on First Street in Snohomish on Saturday, Oct. 3. McClain, who has Alzheimer’s disease, has become a celebrity in Snohomish as he can be seen sitting in his walker singing along First Street on a regular basis. McClain and his wife spent his birthday visiting three First Street restaurants where he sang for patrons and was greeted by many of his friends and fans.

SNOHOMISH — On Saturday, Oct. 3, First Street was illuminated with song by local singer Jerry McClain, who led a group of friends and fans for his 81st birthday celebration.
Singing old standards in aged but clear a capella, he wa hand in hand was his wife of 41 years, Elaine McClain, who said that overall that the birthday celebration was overwhelming because of the love and joy.
The song began on First Street a few years ago, when Elaine and Jerry first moved to Snohomish from Arizona. Jerry had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Elaine was seeking ways for him to get involved with the local community. People that see the two together say they feel
their love and can almost see it in the air around them, especially when he sings. It’s rare, they say.
“You don’t see that in this day,” said Brian Gruenkemeier, a Snohomish musician.
Music keeps them both going.
“The singing is everything,” Elaine McClain said. “He sings it all from memory. It’s something of a passion he can carry out and he keeps an area of the brain functioning and improving.”
Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about five years ago, Elaine said, and she has been his full-time caregiver since then. Elaine found that Jerry’s singing helps with his brain function and his
social skills. Businesses on First Street let Jerry sing and hook up his amplifier to their electricity so his voice can carry.
On a regular day when Jerry sings, people of all ages stop and listen. Many people are filled with awe if they are
aware of Jerry’s condition.
“He can’t see the words well enough to read the words so, he sings them from memory,” Elaine explained.
On his birthday, Jerry sung up and down First Street and everyone stopped to listen.
People packed the business-es of Proper Joe Coffeehouse, Grilla Bites and Andy’s Fish House to listen and offer birthday gifts, and even tips.
As Jerry sings his songs, he holds the microphone a few inches away from his face and if he holds a note for 8-count, it crescendos in the air, sending chills up peoples’ spines and applause soon follows. Jerry sings songs such as Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” (his favorite) and even patriotic songs about America.
It’s all from memory.
Alzheimer’s may have taken Jerry’s gift of cooking (he was a restaurant owner and chef for 17 years), and other tasks some may take for granted, but it has not taken his gift of song, or his love for Elaine.
Throughout his crooning, he looked to Elaine often.
She sat next to him while he sang, which is what he likes best, she later explained.
First Street business owners said having Jerry sing at their business brings more people in and has brought in customers.
“Jerry is a very charming man and when you’re in his condition, the few things you cling to are so profoundly important,” said Aaron Donohue, the owner of Proper Joe Coffeehouse. “He and Elaine are fixtures and their support is truly invaluable. They’re so well-known and well liked in the community, so to have Jerry hang out outside and croon his songs, it’s a wonderful attraction. It’s an invaluable experience for folks to come down and visit historic downtown Snohomish.”
Other businesses on First that host Jerry and his songs include Todo México, Little Shop of Light, Joyworks, the Snohomish art gallery, Red Rooster, Andy’s Fish House and Grilla Bites.
“I was one of the first places that allowed Jerry to play probably about four years ago,” said Grilla Bites’ owner Annie Dottai. “He’s such a warm and wonderful man. He brings a lot of people to tears when he sings.
“Even though he can’t remember much, you can see it,” Dottai said. “He’s so sweet. He and Elaine both.”
Elaine McClain said none of this would be possible without the support of the First Street businesses and city of Snohomish.
“Alzheimer’s is a gift to us because it forces us to live in the Now – to let go of what happened to us five minutes ago; you’re forced to live in the present – ‘I love you now.’ What’s important is now. Right now. That’s all there is, is right now,” Elaine said.