It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Waitte Island, SC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Little River, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't have transportation so I rely on”
“I am a current client of this provider They are my mother's means with her transportation. My”
“I am a current client of this provider The help is very welcome and I have”
“I am a current client of this provider They cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom and”
“This is a company that truly cares about its employees and the seniors they care for! Nate and Melisa offer regular training for caregivers so they they can provide the best care possible!”
“Nice people to work with”
“Gina Berry takes time explaining why home care and Always Best Care is the best choice for your family’s needs. The Team at Always Best is thoughtful and supportive they go out of their way to make you feel heard and understood. They customize the care plan, care team and schedule. I recommend them to anyone considering aging in place.”
“I am a current client of this provider From a caretakers/daughters point of view: This service is a savior for me personally. It relieves me from having to miss a lot of work time to travel to my mothers appt, now I can meet her at the appt. and save this time. The care and service she is getting is TOP NOTCH! From how easy it is for my mother to schedule and the follow through is right on the money. From a person getting the services: Melissa is the best, she calls me weekly to remind me of my appointments coming up. I am very pleased with the services and absolutely pleased with the services provided. I know that this alone helps ease the mind of my daughter. Thank you to the team at Always Best Care!”
“Always Best Care is a great company to work for and if you are looking for care for a loved one, I highly recommend them. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. I work in the senior industry and recommend Always Best Care to my clients that need extra support in their home or while family is away. Always Best Care will respond immediately and truly show compassion to others.”
“The Staff, the care teams and the owners are one of a kind! They take the time to ensure your care needs are met. Highly recommend giving them a call if you have senior care or senior living questions or concerns.”
“Nate took the time to meet with me and my family and help make sense of the questions we had when it came to the short and long term care of our loved one. When you have an elderly parent or a loved one with disabilities there are so many questions and so many emotions. It can be so confusing and it was hard for us to find one person or one company that has the knowledge and grasp of this industry that Nate has. We cannot thank him enough for guiding us through this process and his amazing bedside manner!”
“Hello to all of my Always Best Care friends, I'd like to wish you and your families a Merry, Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year! My brother, my dad, and I really appreciate everything you did for us this year. You're amazing! All the best for the Christmas season and 2023,”
“I am a current client of this provider It is essential to us, he really needs assistance daily, and I work full time. I like their team approach.”
“This is one of the best companies I’ve worked for in a long time. The owners, Nate and Melisa, genuinely care about clients AND staff. They go above and beyond to support, encourage, and help everyone they work with. Their doors are always open, they’re generous with their time, and they truly want their staff to succeed. Donna in the billing department is fabulous, always available to answer questions or help in any way; Katrina in scheduling puts in so much time and effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and it’s amazing how well she handles everything; Angel works diligently on recruiting and training, making sure there’s plenty of staff to provide quality care; and Jackie is an incredible CHAMP, making sure clients are properly reassessed and care givers have the right tools and knowledge to do their job. ABC is a fantastic, compassionate, caring team I’m proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to serve our clients, too.”
“I am a current client of this provider It depends on who they hire for the job. The people they hire can improve.”
“I am a current client of this provider I would have had to quit my job if it wasn't for them and they go grocery shopping. They can have more guidance for the client and what to do for the client.”
“I am a current client of this provider They have made it positive by being friendly and courteous. I like that I do not have to worry about them; they are honest.”
“I am a current client of this provider The agency would have to make it a lot easier for me to find out about the caregiver coming out and having someone on backup. The agency could provide better scheduling and the caregivers would not come in on time.”
“I am a current client of this provider The caregiver has changed a lot for me and has done errands for me. I would tell a friend that Donna is great.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help with his personal care and the cooking. They're very accommodating and the communication is very good.”
“I am a current client of this provider I don't have transportation so I rely on them to take me to my chance treatment. I like how they take control of who they have.”
“I am a current client of this provider They are my mother's means with her transportation. My mother enjoys her caregiver.”
“I am a current client of this provider The help is very welcome and I have a great caregiver. I don't like that they don't have much staff, but I do like my caregiver.”
“I am a current client of this provider They cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom and all areas and for safety reasons they help with the showering. Some things have improved because at one point they weren't communicating that someone was coming.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Vereen Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Parson's Table or visit Vereen Memorial Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Little River, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Little River, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Little River, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Gail Bliss wants to use her national platform to showcase Little River to the world.Bliss, a Little River resident and a former singer in the Alabama Theatre’s ‘ONE The Show’, made her voice known to the country recently when she joined “Team Snoop” during an audition on NBC’s The Voice.Bliss performed “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” by the SteelDrivers in her audition, which aired on Sept. 30. The four judges — Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani and Michael Bubl&eac...
Gail Bliss wants to use her national platform to showcase Little River to the world.
Bliss, a Little River resident and a former singer in the Alabama Theatre’s ‘ONE The Show’, made her voice known to the country recently when she joined “Team Snoop” during an audition on NBC’s The Voice.
Bliss performed “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” by the SteelDrivers in her audition, which aired on Sept. 30. The four judges — Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani and Michael Bublé — did not turn their chairs initially. However, Snoop Dogg used his “replay button” to have Bliss join his team for future rounds.
As excited as Bliss was to continue in the competition, she’s just as excited to be known as the “girl from the Grand Strand.”
“It’s just a great pleasure and an honor to represent our Lowcountry area here on the Grand Strand on The Voice,” Bliss said. “To be able to do it on a national platform is just so exciting. To be able to say ‘I’m Gail Bliss and I’m from Little River, South Carolina,’ that was so much fun. I knew that the folks here at home would go ‘Oh my gosh, isn’t that the girl we have seen at the Alabama Theatre for all those years?’… And it is. It’s that same girl.”
Bliss has been singing on the Grand Strand for roughly 20 years. She moved to the North Myrtle Beach area in 2002 and has been actively involved in the local entertainment scene ever since.
In addition to her being a cast member at the Alabama Theatre, she portrayed Patsy Cline in a national tour: “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline.” Now, she’s involved in a new show — “Gail Bliss & The Nashville Barn Dance” — that took place at the Alabama Theatre last year and will run on Feb. 8 at the new Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre in North Myrtle Beach.
Even when she’s not working, Bliss is still singing. She says she enjoys joining her church worship and praise team at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church on the weekends for the church’s contemporary service. She also does a yearly gospel concert at ODPC.
“Whenever I’m in town, I am there singing with them,” Bliss said.
The experience auditioning for The Voice and getting to join Team Snoop, Bliss said, has been a surprise. Joining a team led by Snoop Dogg doesn’t exactly fit her style on paper, but the local singer says she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Whether with Team Reba or Team Snoop, Bliss says she’s thrilled to have the opportunity to sing in front of the world. The Youtube clip of her audition on the show was closing in on 200,000 views as of Tuesday afternoon.
“Of all people, he would’ve probably my last choice if I would’ve had a four-chair turn,” Bliss said of Snoop Dogg. “I probably would have gone with the obvious, Reba, because I sing country and I’m in her age group. She’s an actress and she can relate to all of all of those wonderful things.
“But honestly, I am so happy it went down the way that it did because Snoop is so dang cool. He is so diverse. Now that I’m starting to learn more about him, he is so diverse. He has no barriers in his life. He puts up no walls. He’s just such a cool dude… He’s multi-generational, multi-genre, it’s just been so fantastic. I am so grateful to him.”
Bliss lives in the historic Robert Livingston House in Little River, which was built in 1848.
She takes a very involved and hands-on approach to living in the area. Culture and history are things she and her husband enjoy, and they like to fully embrace their home. It’s why she says she was filled with joy when she got to call out her home town on the show.
“Being born and raised in the pacific northwest, it’s a very different way of living here,” Bliss said. “I love the south. The people are so friendly and hospitable. I love the culture of the south, I really do… It’s a charming place. It’s a beautiful place. I just love the fact that I live in the Little River fishing village. It’s such a quaint little place where the people who live near me are commercial fishermen. Both of my granddads were commercial fishermen, but in California.”
The show continues on NBC throughout the fall, and Bliss will take part in the next round: the Battles.
Bliss’ journey will continue on Team Snoop as the episodes continue to air. And as they do, she hopes you will watch and cheer her on.
As much as she would like for you to hear her compete and sing, she hopes one thing shines above the rest: her love for life on the Grand Strand.
“It’s just a precious place that I feel very fortunate to call my home,” Bliss said. “I feel very fortunate to put the name Little River, and the Grand Strand, on this national platform with The Voice… What an opportunity for our community to have another feather in the cap.”
Joe Wedra is a sports writer with MyHorryNews. Reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on X at @jwedrasc
Published: Oct. 8, 2024 at 8:24 PM PDT|MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - A Grand Strand singer is living out an “epic” dream as she recently joined Team Snoop on the newest season of The Voice.Gail Bliss has lived in Little River for over 20 years, moving to the Grand Strand to perform at the Alabama Theater for ‘One: The Show.’ She performed for the theatre for 13 years until 2014.Now she’s venturing off into new territory. She said joining The Voice hasn’t been a long-time dream, but it&rs...
Published: Oct. 8, 2024 at 8:24 PM PDT|
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - A Grand Strand singer is living out an “epic” dream as she recently joined Team Snoop on the newest season of The Voice.
Gail Bliss has lived in Little River for over 20 years, moving to the Grand Strand to perform at the Alabama Theater for ‘One: The Show.’ She performed for the theatre for 13 years until 2014.
Now she’s venturing off into new territory. She said joining The Voice hasn’t been a long-time dream, but it’s been a whirlwind experience so far.
“I hadn’t even seen the show until I auditioned, which started at home virtually,” she said. “Not until it started to roll, I thought “Oh my god I’m actually going to be on this thing!” It looks like things are going in my direction. I’d better watch it."
Bliss said she worried that the show wouldn’t take her due to her age.
“I was assuming it was like American Idol where it had an age cap and I said “You don’t understand, I’m way too old for that. There’s no way they’d take me”
The 61-year-old said it all started one night while she was looking for her sixth epic thing to do to celebrate her six decades on this earth and she stumbled upon it on Facebook.
“It said “Last chance to audition for Reba McIntire and season 26 of The Voice” … and I thought ‘Well that would be pretty epic,’ let’s just see," she said. “So I hit the audition button and the next thing you know, one thing led to the other to the other and I’m like “This is happening!”
Bliss ended up in LA before she knew it and joined the show the oldest contestant. She said once she took the stage for blind auditions, that’s when the nerves set in.
“I got to my spot which I could barely see, so that was the beginning of my nerves was right there.
She took a minute to remind herself, that it was her moment to shine.
“And then I thought Okay, this is it. I’ve sung for hundreds of people, I’ve sung for thousands, ten thousands, but never millions. Never had been in that situation before. But I just did the best I could no matter what."
After her performance, when no coaches had turned their chairs to ask her to be on their team, Bliss thought it was the end of the road.
However, new this season, coaches have an option to use something called a replay. If, following the audition, the coach believes they made a mistake by not turning their chairs, they can use the replay.
Snoop Dogg did just that.
“I thought I was going home to South Carolina the next day. I just didn’t have a clue what was happening and I was jumping up and down and it was such a roller coaster of emotion…. I was crying and laughing and crying and laughing and jumping around like a hyena. I kissed him! I kissed Snoop!"
With his only available replay, he saw promise in Bliss and she joined Team Snoop.
While viewers wait to see the next steps for Bliss, she’s already taking in any advice that Snoop Dog can provide.
Bliss asked her new coach how he manages to cross over genres seamlessly, and he said, just be who you are and make that work.
“So that’s helped me to have the confidence to continue and to say the Gail Bliss story is enough," she said. “It may be a little scattered to the industry people in Nashville per se…but I don’t care about what they have to say about that anymore. I just know what I do is what I love to do. And I know I do it well and I can connect with an audience and I know I’m not going to have to bend."
Bliss has some advice of her own to share with people who might have the same dreams as she does and hope to be in her shoes one day.
“Don’t give up on your dreams. Look at this. 61 years old and I’m here and I never thought that I would be on this platform at this stage in my career.. in my life even."
Viewers can watch Bliss on her journey on The Voice on Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.
Stay with WMBF News for updates.
Copyright 2024 WMBF. All rights reserved.
Little River’s own Gail Bliss is representing the Grand Strand on The Voice.Bliss’s soulful rendition of The SteelDrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” wowed the audience and earned Snoop Dogg’s “coach replay,” which allows coaches to pick an artist even if they didn’t initially turn their chair during the performance.“I love to see those tears of joy,” Snoop Dogg said after Bliss&r...
Little River’s own Gail Bliss is representing the Grand Strand on The Voice.
Bliss’s soulful rendition of The SteelDrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been For Love” wowed the audience and earned Snoop Dogg’s “coach replay,” which allows coaches to pick an artist even if they didn’t initially turn their chair during the performance.
“I love to see those tears of joy,” Snoop Dogg said after Bliss’s audition. “She has stage presence and then she had a look about herself that looked like she was a damn superstar.”
At 61, Bliss is the oldest contestant on the show to date — and she has the experience to match. Originally from southern Oregon, Bliss has sung professionally for nearly 40 years around the country and even in Canada.
“I try to inspire anyone that’s still got a dream left to dream. Keep yourself healthy and do the best you can to inspire your mind and keep having fun and keep living, because it’s so important,” Bliss said. “We’re not done yet. People over 50, we are not done yet.”
Of the four coaches this season, Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg, Bliss believes Reba would be a natural fit for her as a woman with a country background. However, Bliss is glad she ended up on Team Snoop Dogg.
“That would have been almost too much of what was to be expected. Instead, here I get to be the oldest person and I get to be paired with the most unlikely coach for me … At the end of the audition, I went up and just kissed him,” Bliss said. “I kissed him right on that cheek, and I’d do it again. He’s been phenomenal.”
Her genre-spanning career features her country roots, western swing, blues, jazz and more. Throughout her career, Bliss has released six albums and EPs.
In addition to her original music, she’s paid tribute to legends, portraying Patsy Cline in a national tour, working with Cline’s widower on a combination album with Cline’s music and performing in the Broadway musical “Ring of Fire” about Johnny Cash.
Although she “absolutely” has songs she wants to share on the show, viewers will have to tune in to see what Bliss’ future on The Voice has in store.
Back home in Little River, fans will also have the opportunity to see Bliss live. She debuted a country show called Gail Bliss and the Nashville Barn Dance last year and will open another show at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre in North Myrtle Beach next February.
“I’m hoping to have some special, very, very special guests that people are going to recognize very soon on the stage with me. So I hope that we pack that house and just have another great evening together,” Bliss said. “Because it’s the community that keeps you going, and it’s the people that come to clap for you that encourage you and your soul and keep a creative person moving forward.”
Viewers can catch Bliss on The Voice on NBC Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 pm EST or on Peacock. Fans can also keep up with the latest directly from Bliss on her blog.
This story was originally published October 8, 2024, 6:00 AM.
The Sun News
Maria Elena Scott writes about trending topics and what you need to know in the Grand Strand. She studied journalism at the University of Houston and covered Cleveland news before coming to the Palmetto State.
LITTLE RIVER, SC (WMBF) -- While first responders do their part to help those impacted by Helene, Grand Strand residents are doing their part back here at home, too.Cooper’s Tavern in Little River is one of the many places along the Grand Strand collecting supplies and donations for our neighbors to the north. But, none of the people behind the effort knew just how big it would become.“Honestly, it’s unreal,” said Taylor Denny, owner of Cooper’s Tavern. “It gives me chills just thinking about...
LITTLE RIVER, SC (WMBF) -- While first responders do their part to help those impacted by Helene, Grand Strand residents are doing their part back here at home, too.
Cooper’s Tavern in Little River is one of the many places along the Grand Strand collecting supplies and donations for our neighbors to the north. But, none of the people behind the effort knew just how big it would become.
“Honestly, it’s unreal,” said Taylor Denny, owner of Cooper’s Tavern. “It gives me chills just thinking about it.”
HOW TO HELP | Where to drop off supplies, donations for Helene relief in the Grand Strand
When Denny made this post on Facebook, asking for donations to take to Asheville, he didn’t expect the response it would get.
“We had an ex-employee that moved up to the Asheville area,” said Denny. “Originally, nine o’clock this morning, we were kinda thinking, you know, ‘load his car up,’ then ten rolls around, and I’m like, ' well maybe I should follow him with some of the stuff that’s being dropped off,’ and then we’re like, ‘well maybe we need to rent a trailer,’ and that became u haul.”
Among the hundreds of community members who saw the post-- James Hooks, owner of Hooks Consulting and Food Service Supply.
“We knew the floodgates were going to open, so we came up to help. Cleared our schedule and brought the truck up, and figured we could make the delivery,” said Hooks.
And, within just a few hours of Hooks bringing the truck, it was already about a quarter of the way full.
“The doors are just...people are bringing it in, so it’s probably going to fill up quick, but you know, whatever you can do to help,” said Hooks.
Denny said he may have to adjust plans depending on how much the effort grows the next day, but says it’s a good problem to have.
“Asheville, it’s a good ways away, and for us to be doing something this large for that community shows how great our community is, so, it’s heartwarming, you know,” said Denny.
Denny said because Cooper’s Tavern has already collected more than anticipated, they may bring supplies to other communities outside of Asheville, too.
As of now, they will accept anything they still have room for.
They plan to bring the supplies up to North Carolina later this week.
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