For oh-so-many years, Phil Markert was the man who could make Syracuse laugh in the morning.

Generations of people would dial in to whatever station he might be on to let their friend share their morning. The talented piano player would enter their minds with good humor. From Markert’s mind came a mix of message and music aimed at the funny side of life.

He called his show “Markert in the Morning.” In 2006, he took it from WTLA to the Internet. That was retirement for the lover of live theater and personal radio. He performed on the Internet once a week.

Even after he moved to South Carolina, Markert considered the community of Syracuse his good friend.

Daughter Caroline Markert, who still lives in Central New York, made sure to point out that her dad’s back home this week.

In fact, Markert’s friends and fans can turn the TV on to WSYR-9 this morning at 10 to catch Markert perform on the popular weekday show “Bridge Street.”

Markert in the morning. How appropriate.

It’s a teaser appearance, to get the area ready for Markert’s show at 6 p.m. May 4 at St. James Catholic Church, 4845 S. Salina St., Syracuse. There and then, Markert will take to the piano and voice for his latest package of stories, “There’s No Such Things as Old.” This is a follow-up to his previous work, “A Senior Moment or Two … or Three … or Four.”

Yeah, that’s what retirement is for this man in his 80s. Markert has put together another collection of classic standards, show tunes, comedy monologue, sing-along and senior songs and moments. Consider it some new, some familiar, and all Markert.

Tickets for the performance are $10, available at the church rectory, Piano and Organ Center in Great Northern and Steinway Piano Gallery on Erie Boulevard East. They will be $12 at the door.

Here’s your chance to tip your cap to all that life experience.