Wouldn’t you know it.  Right when the weather that had been unruly and keeping everyone snuggled together inside broke, Carl and I would be playing a show at The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub.

Or course, when we took the stage, it was about seventy degrees outside, and nearly the perfect antidote for people sick and tired of even this mild, Michigan winter.

So, on this Friday evening, more people than usual gathered around their houses and garages, and forgot about going out for an adult beverage or two.

That’s ok, or course.  We understand.  Just makes for a long evening, when it is slow and pokey at the pub.

We began in earnest, lathering the lucky patrons with a heavy dose of our version of musical sunshine.  They responded and interacted with us, as we have come to expect over the years.

All good.

Our two-part harmonies washing over the crowd with accustomed auric saturation.  For the first two sets, the pub was responding in kind with energy, enthusiasm and platitudes of hearty smiles.

Then it got slow as the crowd thinned.  A new trend we have noticed as of late.  Many people do not stay up or out like they did years ago.

Back in the seventies, when we were playing a bar, the staff would have to turn the lights up at the end of the night to even get the attention of the crowd.  At 2:30 every joint we played was full to the rafters and then some.  Smoke hung heavy in the air, people were bleary-eyed, but still not even dreaming about going home.

With the advent of stringently enforced drinking-and-driving laws, those days are long gone.  People now venture out earlier and go home earlier.  People adapt, change, get smart.  It is a different world out there now, and we as entertainers need to adapt as well.

Several of the venues we play now have adapted to the new-world realities as well.  Often, we will begin playing at 6:00 or 7:00 Pm.  Patrons can still go out, eat, drink and have an adult beverage or two, without having to look over their shoulders on the way home, for law enforcement laying in wait.

For us, this year, the crowds have bene thinning around 11:30 or 12:00.  After that is hit or miss.  The majority of revelers are on their way home of for the night at that time.

That is why Carl and I start sooner and trot out the “good stuff” in our repertoire in the first sets as well.  People are out and ready to be entertained earlier too.

It is a learning process.  One that hopefully we can adapt to and successfully master.

On most night, we can say that it is quality more than quantity when it comes to our interactions with the customers as well.

The place doesn’t need to be packed for us to find a treasure in the audience.  So many nights, we have the honor to be able to spend time with several wonderful people, who thankfully take time to communicate their shared love of the music we play.

In the end, that will be the part we remember the most. How me made someone’s night by playing their personal favorite.  Or better yet, playing a song that they had never heard before, to the delight of everyone in their party.

We did our best this Friday.  We sounded good, and had some fun conversations with some great couples.

Upstairs was a new band to us.  The Hideaways were playing on the big stage.  Three young guys playing honest music.  Several songs echoed the power trios of the sixties, right down to the nonchalant attitudes.  They played Stones, Cream and Hendrix with all the furor of gleeful explorers, discovering musical gems left behind by ancient rhythmic heroes.

Another wave of revelers filled the pub for our last set.  Playful and happy with themselves, we launched a few musical rockets over their heads, but nothing exciting enough to make them look up from their infatuated I Phones.

We shall be back in a couple of weeks.  We look forward to our nights at the Mice.  Spring is here, long live the rockets, phones and rhythms of the green.

Rb

2017 was already off to a flying start for us with its’ relatively mild winter, its’ optimistic posture and its’ positive outlook for all things Bob and Carl.

Buoyed by The Three Blind Mice coming back strong, Bumper’s Landing undergoing a nearly complete remodel and our summer season awaiting in the wings, there is definite excitement in the air.

While we are always hopeful that our St. Paddy’s experience goes well; we are never really sure until the day unfolds to reveal itself.  Sometimes it takes a while, but most times, not.  Playing thirty years worth of them helps sort them out as well.  While they are all different, there are many similarities.

Around here, people see Saint Patricks’ Day as a true, new beginning.  A rite of spring, so to speak.  The day when our cold, dank world around us shakes off the dismal mantle of winter and steps dramatically into the sunshine.

That’s how it seems, most years; even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

This year, the day began timidly enough, mind you, and never really strayed from that.  There were a few moments when some looked outside and decided to not venture into the snowstorm that eventually erupted.  Too bad for them.  The snow didn’t last long, to our delight.  And, as usually happens, the day presented itself with the usual amount of Irish wonder.

From the eight O’clock hour of the morning, right through the afternoon and eventually into the evening, it was not too cold to dissuade the heartiest of holiday revelers.  In fact, for most of the day, the spring sun displayed its’ hand at warming the body if not the Irish soul.  It was by all accounts a perfect day to drink.

And, drink we did. Not a lot, just a wee shot ur two per hour.  Or so. . .

So we began our Day at Clancy’s Irish Pub, bright and early.  Eight O’ Clock had us playing the Whistlin’ Gypsy to an enthusiastic crowd of Macomb County’s‘ finest health care workers.  It was a warm start to what would eventually turn out to be a very pleasant day.

Set one went down so well, that Carl and I followed it with another set of the best Irish music anyone around these parts has heard in a long while.  (Since last year at about this same time, I should think).

The medical patrons went home for the day, and gave their tables up to another entire crew of green-clad, beer-swilling revelers.  All part of the circle of life, I would imagine.

NASH FM joined us at Clancy’s this year.  An entire crew of tech people and on-air talent that had us smiling and singing alone as they bent over backwards to accommodate us during their breaks as well as some cordial air-time.

Our thanks to Renee Vitale and her crew for putting us not the air and allowing us to work so easily with their station.

The morning rushed by us, as it usually does.  Most Paddy’s Days run full speed right out of the gate.  It is up to us to hold on for dear life.

Helping us on our day’s journey is our third band member, Jerry.  He is an honorary member of the Bob and Carl band.  He keeps us focused, on point and laughing when we need it most.

Jerry has many years of experience from the mosh-pit, as he runs with the Drop Kick Murphy’s whenever they are in town.  So, he knows his mayhem when he sees it.

Finishing up at Clancy’s, we got a moment or two to reflect on our time there with Vince, the owner.  He has taken great care of us for many years now at this time of year.

After a mere six hours of playing, it was time to tear down the gear and set it back up at our next celebration destination: The Green Lantern in Clinton Township.

The Green Lantern has had a rough year, as it’s located adjacent to the now, “world famous”, Fraser sinkhole.

Business has suffered as the way in out and around has been mostly lined with cones, barriers and pipe-fitters.

Ignoring all that, as we mostly always do, we shouldered on and right into the breach of the next phase of our wonderful day.

Easy access to the restaurant is worth its’ weight in green-gold, and before anyone knew it, we were up and playing by 4:00.

Another person worth their weight in gold and even more, is our longtime friend, Jewels.  She was running Rosy O’Grady’s back when Vince first owned it in the nineties.  We began playing there, and then followed her to The Limelight in Rochester for a time.

Wanting to hire the best person in the business, The Green Lantern folks reached out and grabbed her away, and us along with her, about four years ago.

Now, it has become another great Bob and Carl tradition.

Word must have gotten out, because no sooner did we finish our first set, then the restaurant did fill up with all kinds of happy green faces.

Every song was new again, and green alligators, kilts and whistling gypsies filled the hearts and minds of each and every contented patron.

The food was wonderful, the smiles were endearing and the sound of voices engaged in Irish song warmed everyone’s soul.  Even a mere Michigan snow-shower couldn’t do anything to damper the festive mood on this of all days.

Soon, St. Paddy’s 2017 was complete.  All the music was played, all the songs were sung and all the green beer was soaked up.

Nothing left for us to do than to officially thank everyone who made it so memorable.

From Bob and Carl, we shall leave you with this timeless Celtic prayer:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back. 
May the sun shine warm upon your face; 
the rains fall soft upon your fields 
and until we meet again, 
may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Rb

Although the most famous person of color, Kermit, seems to have a problem being green, it sure looked easy for an entire gymnasium of Irish revelers in Roseville the other day.

Our long-time friend from Eastpointe, Mary asked us if we could make some time in our schedule this year, for a wee Irish celebration at her senior center in Roseville Michigan.

A while back, we were the guests of honor to open the senior center to a huge crowd of excited community guests and dignitaries.  They were thrilled with our performance, and thought that they would have us entertain again, but this time, for an Irish celebration.

Carl and I arrived an hour and a half early to a completely full gymnasium of green-clad Irish enthusiasts.  Everywhere that we looked, we saw green.  Apparently as Mary was want to say, “If you’re on time, YOU’RE LATE!” when it comes to these spry seniors.

Good for us, we were ninety minutes early.

Setting up was quick and easy, and gave us ample time to visit with many endearing faces.  They were simply thrilled that we could come and entertain with our stories, songs and Irish wit.

First it was time for some prizes to be given away; and when everyone appeared present and ready to go, the lunch bell was rung.

After a delicious meal of corned beef and cabbage, it was time for us to shine.

We started out with our traditional Irish beginning, The Whistling Gypsy, until we settled on a perfect balance of instruments, tempo and volume.

Song after song flowed from one to the other, as we began to win over the audience for good.  Everyone was happy, everyone was smiling and all of a sudden an entire group of brave souls even jumped up and began a hearty jig!

After time for a sing-a-long, we had pretty much sung every Irish favorite that the group could think of, plus two.

It was a truly magical afternoon.  Even my sister and mother wouldn’t have missed this big day.

After a very short break, Carl and I finished up the afternoon with a Danny Boy and a Green Alligator.  Hopefully two songs that would stay with these fine people throughout this holiday and into the next.

Once again, Mary bent over backwards to accommodate us.  We have been working with her, nearly thirty years now, and with every opportunity comes a brand new set of warm memories and smiles.

 

It was truly an honor to be invited to Roseville.  Hopefully, when the cruel winter relinquishes its cold hand, next year, we will be back to bring forth the wearing O’ the green!

Rb

Just as all things tend to change and evolve, there is something particularly enjoyable when a plan goes exactly as it was enviosned.  Such was the case Saturday night, at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub.

Don’t get us wrong, we plan for huge crowds of enthusiastic, impassioned revelers, hell-bent on celebration and song.  However, on most night, we fall a bit short of that mark.

On a rare Saturday night appearance this March eleventh, we were hitting on all cylinders, right out of the gate.  The Mouse was packed with many happy groups of people, all out to enjoy the best part of their day.

All we needed to do was our part.  With that in mind, Carl and I began the night with a salute to the impending holiday that always seems to usher in winter’s end and the beginning of all things green.

With St. Paddy’s right around the corner, Carl began singing our traditional Irish opening song; The Whistling Gypsy.

Priming the musical pump with a few choice Irish ballads was the perfect way it seemed, to shake the cobwebs off or our dinner-time guests and prepare them for the night ahead.

With everyone enjoying the “wearin’ of the green”, as it were, we slipped in several more St. Paddy’s favorites.  Before they knew it, we were ending the first set and lunging into the next.

Soon there were smiles in every corner of the little pub.  The music was working its magic all right.  Happy patrons laughing and requesting their treasured songs continued until we had finished set after set, and it was time to wrap things up.

It was a classic night for us.  Busy all evening.  Everyone engaged and enthusiastic.  It had been a long time since we had seen the pub so rollicking and rowdy, and we truly had missed it.

Can’t wait to see everyone back when we return in two weeks.  The green will be everywhere by then, with summer on the verge.

Rb

Out of the blue, a few days ago, I received a call from Colin at the Stony Creek Roadhouse.  Seems as though they had a rare opening on a Thursday evening, and wondered if we could play.

Let me back up for a moment, won’t you . . .

About a month earlier, I finally got around to checking out the Roadhouse for an evening of dinner with some friends.  It was everything that I had heard about and a little bit more.

First of all, the Roadhouse is a little bit out of the way.  You pass Stoney Creek Metropark, a wee bit on 26 mile road, and after a few subdivisions catch your eye, there it is on the south side of the street.

It appears as a rustic, woodsy lodge, nestled in the quaint countryside, though the sign out front belies much more.  Live entertainment, great food and attentive service are the corner stones that this warm establishment has over the years built its solid reputation on.

For a very long time, people have approached Carl and I about seeking to play at the Roadhouse.  Finally, the evening arrived when I made the connection.

Our dinner was nice, sitting at the high-top tables with good friends.  The music played in the background, and yet was not overbearing.  On the night that we visited, there was a three piece band who played a mostly instrumental set of eclectic songs, designed to warm the crowd quench the palette.  The night was enjoyable, and after taking in that the venue had to offer, I envisioned that Carl and I would be a pretty good fit, should they be interested in engaging us.

On our way out, I gave one of our cards to manager, and after a few attempts, we got the call to make it all happen.

Right off the bat, we had a pretty good feeling that things would work out for the best, when we arrived to set up an hour early, and customers began to pour in.

Setting up was pretty easy, as the staff was very attentive to us being rookies in their establishment.  After a short period of time, we were all set up and comfortable in front of the fireplace were Bruce the moose watched over the lodge.

Several of our good friends also dropped by to make our inaugural evening even more special.  There is really no way to thank them for all that they do.  Carl and I are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives that we can count on for such great support.

Playing was the easy part.  We felt very much at home, and right from the start hit all the good notes with the patrons in the lounge area where we entertained.

We launched from one classic to the next as the audience applauded with deserved enthusiasm.  We met many wonderful people from the Shelby area, even on our first night in a strange new venue.  Soon, our three hours was concluded, but were so into it, that we just had to play another twenty minutes, for good measure.

All in all, it was a hugely successful night for us.  We really enjoyed the Roadhouse.  The staff, the customers and the setting were perfect for our type of entertaining.

Like a magician who practices “close magic”, Carl and I enjoy having people so close to us that it makes it exceedingly easy to interact with.  Their requests are elicited, played and enjoyed flawlessly in an intimate setting like this.

We hope that we will be back in the near future.  Maybe in April, as they are all booked for March.  Either way, make sure that you stop by and enjoy any of the fine musicians that call The Stony creek Roadhouse their home.  You won’t be disappointed.

Rb