Darry Hood of Greenfield will perform comedy, magic and music in a one-man show next week, a year after his successful kidney transplant.
Submitted photo
GREENFIELD – Darry Hood’s gifts of gratitude to his kidney donor last year included flowers and an angel figurine.
But on the first anniversary of his recovery from the transplant, his comedic spark came through: his gift was a can of kidney beans.
“She’s got a great sense of humor,” Hood said of McCordsville resident Traci Dayhoff.
Hood’s comedy will be shared with the community at a one-man show May 7. The retired Eastern Hancock educator, musician and magician is feeling well enough again to perform live on stage for the first time in years.
“I’m kind of anxious to get my feet wet again, but since I’ve taken this booking, I’ve got a second one,” said the Greenfield resident.
Hood’s roots run deep in Hancock County, having taught science at Eastern Hancock schools for 42 years. He’s played music 45 years and has performed magic tricks since the age of 12. He retired his most recent band in 2019 after years of performing hits from the 1950s and 1960s.
In 2021, Hood shared his story with the Daily Reporter about his poor health and search for an organ donor. Dayhoff clicked on the link on the DR website to learn more about being a donor for Hood, and immediately felt like she was his match.
Hood and his wife Sue have been grateful for the gift ever since. This April, to celebrate the first anniversary of his surgery, the Hoods took Dayhoff and her husband out to dinner. Hood sported a shirt from a former student that read “Saved by Jesus and my adopted kidney… this body contains recycled parts.”
“I’m feeling really good and really blessed,” Hood said. “Not a night goes by that I don’t hit my pillow and I thank God for the kidney, the donor and my wife who’s been an angel caretaker.”
He’s feeling so good that he’s ready to get back on stage.
Tony Seiler approached Hood with an opportunity to perform at the Ricks. Seiler, owner of Greenfield Music Center and manager of the downtown theater, has been friends with Hood for years. Hood has even passed on some of his magic tricks to Seiler.
“I wanted him to have something to look forward to and be excited about; everyone needs to have that in their life,” Seiler said.
It didn’t take long for Hood to consider it.
“I thought about it for about 15 minutes and I said, ‘I’ll do it,’” he recalls.
The show, at 3 p.m. May 7, will include just over an hour of comedy, magic and music, with cover songs and his own arrangements. All ages are welcome to attend, though Hood said there are some comedy routines that might go over the heads of youngsters.
“It should be a lot of fun,” Hood said.
Hood enjoys sharing his story with others.
“I feel guilty,” he added. “I didn’t have to go on dialysis and I was eight months on the transplant list. I see people on Facebook in dire need or on dialysis for eight or nine years. I feel guilty that mine came rather quickly. People need to be proactive and get to the hospital, get on a list for a living donor.”
Hood has been coming into the music center to chat with Seiler about his show regularly, eagerly bouncing off new ideas. Seiler is looking forward to assisting Hood with his show, running the sound and lights for his longtime friend.
“Everyone I’ve ever spoken to about him, they all tell me the same thing – he was their favorite teacher of all time, of all their years of going to school, and I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that doesn’t love the guy,” Seiler said. “I did it more for him than anyone else because he loves making people happy.”
