Spreading Joy

Meet the singing Salvation Army bell ringer of Westborough, Mass.

Keith Bryant Sr. is known as the singing Salvation Army bell ringer outside the Roche Bros. Supermarket in Westborough, Mass. A Worcester resident, the 60-year-old Bryant has been ringing the bell for 24 years now and mixes in Christmas classics and oldies for his shoppers.

He grew up in a musical family in New York City before moving to Massachusetts 38 years ago, but he never forgot what The Salvation Army did for him and his family when he was young. “On holidays we always had turkey and ham and all the sides from The Salvation Army,” he said. “We never had to worry about anything.”

Now retired, Bryant worked for a moving business and in security and human services, but it’s music that has always been his first love. As he prepares his voice for another season at the red kettle, he took a few minutes to talk to SAconnects.

Why do you ring the bell every year?

It’s because of my mom. When I was a little kid, we came upon some hard times and my mom used to donate her time to help in the kitchen and feed the homeless at The Salvation Army. When she did, I saw how hard she worked. That’s the reason I do it. My mother inspired me. On Christmas, she would say, “I have one thing to say before you open up your presents. When you see the red kettle, you put something in it.” She would give us some pocket change and we’d always put a penny or two in. My mom used to do bell ringing in New York City. It was always fun because I remember the bell ringers were in seasonal colors, and they were singing as quartets. It was beautiful back then.

Any other motivation?

I also know what it’s like to be a homeless person. I was there at one time. It wasn’t a fun experience, but I’m glad I did go through it because I learned what some local homeless people are going through and I help them today. If they need food, I tell them to go to The Salvation Army.

Do you have any spiritual motivation for what you do?

Most definitely. I’ve always known about The Salvation Army church. When I was going through hard times, I’d get the magazines my mom would bring home from The Salvation Army and read them when she was at work. I found them very interesting.

Do you sing the entire time you’re at the kettle?

Usually, yes. I’ll take a break for my lunch and dinner. I’ll sit around a little bit and then go back to work.

Is it a cappella, or do you play any musical instruments?

I have the songs on my phone screen and do them karaoke-style. I usually put it on top of my kettle. I sang a ton of Christmas songs last year. I can watch the kettle and sing.

Did you always sing, or is this new?

It was just me and the bell at first. That’s it. It was my third week working for The Salvation Army and I just started singing and people started liking the songs. Then, down the road, I just added on a little more entertainment by having a speaker with lights on it. So, during the holidays, that gives them the Christmas spirit with the lights going around as the music plays.

What songs do you sing, and how do you choose them?

During the Thanksgiving season, I usually sing oldies but goodies like “Diana” by Paul Anka. I do that one for fun. Another one is “Get Here” by Oleta Adams. Gradually, as it goes into the Christmas season, I usually play some gospel music. People love that. I do some modern songs, but not very many.

Do you take requests?

If a little kid asks me to do “Jingle Bells,” I’ll take the request, but I usually only do a list of songs I’m really good at. The rest I’m kind of working on. If an adult really wants it, I’ll do the request. I know I’m doing this for people in need, so sometimes I just take requests.

How do people react?

It’s beautiful. One day a lady was walking by, and she had just lost her husband a few days before. She heard me singing “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra and she came by and put $50 in the kettle. I said, “Madam, are you OK?” I saw she was crying. I said, “Why do you have tears in your eyes and why did you donate so much?” She told me she had just lost her husband a few days before and the songs I was singing brought back memories from when they first met. I said, “I’m sorry.” She said, “Don’t be sorry. I love it. It’s beautiful.” Then she gave me a hug and a little kiss on the cheek. When she came back out of the store, she had a big smile on her face and had no sorrow. It was a beautiful day that day.

Do people give more when you’re singing?

I would think so. I mean, if you’re good at it and you’re really touching their hearts and their minds. There’s a certain way you have to sing though. Some people like to hear it in the classic way or in an urban way. Either way, you have to sing from the heart.

How do you protect your voice being out in the cold?

I take lemon drops and cough drops with me. I also take peppermint oil. I also usually have ginger chews, and that usually keeps me protected with my voice and my immune system.

In the winter, how do you get through long and grueling shifts?

I dance around a lot so I don’t stay cold. I sweat too much anyway, so I dance around and sweat even more to stay warm!

How important is music in your life?

Do you have any vocal training? My family has been into music for years. That’s how I got into music. My mom used to sing at places for $2 before I was born. She would sing for the older adults who came over for the holidays. It’s been in my family for generations. All my cousins did shows and block parties back in the day. They’d get the permits and do shows in the parks, and they’d get people to come and be the entertainment. A lot of those people who did that in New York City are now famous.

What’s it like to bring joy to people with your singing?

It’s a magical feeling. There was a woman shopper, and I knew she had something against people of color. I turned the other cheek. I didn’t care, but when she came out of the store, she heard me singing and she said, “Is that you or the song?” I said, “That’s me.” She said, “Prove it.” So I turned the music off. She said, “Wow, that is you. Here’s $20.” I said, “Thank you!” At that time, I knew people can change. Their hearts can change if they have the right motivation.

Do you ever dwell on how many people your collections have helped?

All the time. I always think about that. I say to myself during the Christmas season, no matter how hard it was, it always turns out to be a perfect season at the end. People will give me cards and gift cards and they’ll buy me lunch. One lady bought me a wreath. I took it home and I had a great season that year. I can’t wait for this year.