Accordion player James Scanga has performed thousands of professional and free shows over the decades and has come to look forward to the free ones the best.

Scanga said he particularly enjoys the shows he does each month at five nursing homes.

"I play music of their time," said the Farrell man. "There’s nothing like a song to bring back a memory. I’ve even seen people who had strokes and haven’t talked, I’ll see them mouthing the words. I feel good about that."

It’s because of these performances that Sirjio the Entertainer of Sharon is hosting Friday’s "Tribute to James Scanga" at Sharon Country Club. Sirjio will honor Scanga and his wife, Marie, with a dinner and show.

"It’s a big surprise," said Scanga, 78. "We never expected anything like this. There are 500 people who deserve this more than us."

"I’m a little bit funny about it," said Mrs. Scanga, 73, who admitted being embarrassed at the attention.

Scanga is a New Kensington native, while his wife, who plays piano, grew up nearby in Springdale. He started attending what is now Indiana University of Pennsylvania but left to play with an Army band during World War II. He backed Frank Sinatra, Phil Silvers and John Garfield.

After the war, Scanga finished at IUP in 1948 and got a job teaching music at Farrell. Mrs. Scanga finished her degree at IUP in 1950 and got a job teaching music in Sharon.

They will be married 50 years Dec. 26.

They each played in some of the area’s leading bands over the years, including with Benny Jones, Buddy Lee, Mike Stone and Joe Cann.

The couple made sure their four children had musical training and a couple of them took it to heart. Oldest son James Jr. teaches music at Farrell and his after-school activities include playing with the Youngstown Fine Arts Brass.

Youngest son Tim plays in the dance band Total Package.

James Jr.’s son, J.P. -- one of four grandchildren -- is carrying on the tradition. The trumpet-playing eighth-grader at St. Joseph’s School, Sharon, was named to the Junior High Honors Band.

"It’s amazing what these kids can do," said Mrs. Scanga, adding she believes today’s young musicians are more advanced than she was at that age.

"They sound like a high school band," she said.

Scanga retired in 1982 and has looked to music to keep himself active.

"It keeps me thinking and sharp and contributing," he said.

Health concerns have taken their toll on the Scangas. Mrs. Scanga, who retired in 1987, no longer plays piano because of back surgery and had to give up directing the choir at Our Lady of Fatima church in Farrell because of knee replacement surgery five months ago. She can’t walk up the steps of the choir loft.

Scanga had open-heart surgery three months ago, which left him unable to play for a while.

"When he recuperated from surgery and couldn’t play, it was bad," Mrs. Scanga said. "It’s his love."

Through it all, music plays a role in their lives.

"That’s the nice thing about music," Mrs. Scanga said. "You can play it the rest of your life."