July 14, 1956

Robert George Balch was born on July 14, 1956 to the proud parents of George and Lolita Balch in Pontiac Michigan.

October 4, 1956

Carl Alvin Zimmerman was born on October 4, 1956 at Mount Clemens General Hospital to the proud parents, Alvin and Delphine Zimmerman.

November 22, 1963

The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the president of The United States is a day that both boys will never forget.  It is the first time in both their lives that they have to deal with death.  Seeing grown adults, teachers, friends and parents openly crying and in fear, casts a long shadow that forever lingers in one’s soul.  The entire nation grieves, and the pall lasts until February of 1964 when four young lads from Liverpool arrive in America and our hearts.

February 9, 1964

On Sunday, February 9, 1964 The Beatles played three songs on the Ed Sullivan show in New York.  

“My mother told me that something important was going to happen tonight, and you’ll want to stay up late and watch it.”  “I witnessed something that night that changed my life.”  “My mother was right.”
Rb

September, 1966

Bob and Carl both attend Clinton Valley Elementary School in Mount Clemens, Michigan.  They meet in fourth grade in the class of teacher, Larry Cosart.

September, 1967

In fifth grade, Bob moves to Ojibwa Elementary school and joins the school band.  Bob also has his first stint at becoming an actor in the school play, “Scarecrow Dick“.  Carl stays at Clinton Valley and meets John Schubert, the elementary band teacher who has a great influence in both of their musical careers.  Carl selects the trombone, and Bob decides on the cornet. 

September, 1968

Moving back from Ojibwa to Clinton Valley for sixth grade, the boys are reunited in band, taught by John Schubert.  Sixth grade opened up a whole world of new music to the boys by this amazing band teacher.  He not only taught traditional band music, but had his students listen to symphonies, musicals and popular music of the day; this more than anything broadened and exposed the boys to a lifelong love of all types of music.

September, 1969

In 1969 for seventh grade, the boys began school by being bussed to Chippewa Valley High School for half day classes, because of district budget cuts. The middle school that was newly build, (Algonquin) was not able to be opened because of a lack of funding, so the boys were bussed to the high school for classes.  
This began their six year journey at Chippewa.

September, 1969

Being at a high school can be daunting, but when your favorite teacher moves there to instruct band, it becomes something to look forward to.  The musical pieces that the director had selected to perform were incredible, enjoyable and very challenging.  Just what two young men thirsty for musical theory and structure needed.  In CVHS band, they learned more than anything, how to “listen”, a skill that serves them to this day.

1969

While the cultural watermark of Woodstock happens in Bethel New York, Bob and Carl focus on school, band and family.  Unaware of how lasting this musical upheaval will become.

Summer, 1970

Bob attends the YMCA summer camp in Dryden Michigan as a CIT (Counselor In Training).  

From the time Bob could walk, he was part of a YMCA summer camp.  First in Port Huron and then in Dryden, Michigan, where the Mount Clemens YMCA ran a summer camp for Mount Clemens Public Schools.  At fourteen, camp was now second nature.  In the summer of 1970, Bob was learning to be the right-hand-man of  his counselor, in charge of many facets of camp life.

Danny Hayden was the counselor and for that summer, Danny took all the kids out in the woods to learn life’s lessons and how to live off the land.  It was great time to be alive.

1972

Working at the YMCA back desk, Bob and Carl met Gary Miller, who taught them guitar chords while working Saturdays.
Playing guitar opened up a whole new world to the boys.  A world they still live in.

August, 1972

Bob and Carl play horns in the band, Miles Of Smiles at Mayor Cody’s house on Elizabeth Street in Mount Clemens.  A legendary outdoor party where police were eventually called in.  This officially marks the first time that Bob and Carl play together as entertainers.

July, 1973

At the ripe old age of sixteen, Bob and Carl, got on their 10-speed bikes on a summer Monday morning and rode to Cedar Point and back.  The trip took five days.  Honest, it’s true.

PORK RINDS AND BUCKEYES

We were both fifteen, out of school and not very bright.  That’s about the only excuse that I can give for this brilliant idea.  (Although I know for a fact that it was Carl who came up with it).

Hanging around Travis Hamburgers in Mt. Clemens with our high school friends sooner or later was going to get us into trouble, and as it turned out, this Saturday was the day.  Most of our time spent within our small circle of friends consisted of immature name-calling and stories of girls and how we were going to conquer them.  For some reason, on this particular Saturday, Carl announced somewhat out of the blue that we were going to ride our 10 speed bicycles from Mt. Clemens to Sandusky Ohio and back again. 

All in a weeks’ time!  (I didn’t even have a 10 speed). 

Now announcing something totally stupid like that would not be out of the ordinary for either one of us, but to make an idle boast in front of our most trusted, and despised friends, customers and the world in general just didn’t seem wise to me at the time.  Let’s be honest, we came up with dumb ideas all the time, but we never really vocalized them to anyone.

Be that as it may, we were now faced with having to “sell” the idea to our parents, the people that knew beyond a shadow of a doubt how goofy we were capable of being.  Little did we realize just how much our parents wanted to get us out of their respective houses, no matter what we were getting ourselves into.  After a while, the idea of riding bikes from our comfortable white-bread world in suburban Detroit to the unknown and uncharted remote wilds of Sandusky Ohio’s Cedar Point theme park seemed like a simple, yet enjoyable task.  Then again, I would imagine that most disasters begin in a similar fashion.  

Anyway, it was agreed upon that if we were both going to undertake this formidable journey, we would have to seriously train like we had never trained before.  (Actually, we had never trained before). 

Carl, (being the aforementioned mastermind of this fiasco), decided that all we needed was a short tune-up ride to become “one” with our machines.  Coincidentally, Carl also wanted to buy some “bootleg” 8-track tapes from this store that his parents wouldn’t let him go to.  So on a typical Saturday morning, we set off for a leisurely jaunt down Gratiot Avenue to 7-mile road and back.  As I look back, this small excursion went exceedingly well, so in our minds, we were more than ready to tackle a simple ride to an amusement park.

What stands out in my mind about the whole thing is that fact that I never once questioned what we were undertaking, or why.  It never occurred to me at all that it might be a wee bit difficult for bike riders of our caliber.  Or even possibly a little like actual work to pedal a bicycle 70 miles.  We also had to get there in a given amount of time, and had to navigate our way on our own.  On the other hand, it was not like we had never done stupid things before, in fact that was something that we excelled at.

The plan was to leave bright and early on Monday morning and ride straight down Gratiot Avenue until we either died of exhaustion, were run over, or actually made it to Toledo Ohio.  We would sleep over-night at rooms provided by the Toledo YMCA.  Tuesday morning we would again mount our bikes and travel to Sandusky Ohio where we would stay the night at the Sandusky YMCA branch.  If alive, we would spend all day Wednesday at the Cedar Point Park, enjoying the amusements and fine food, as well as the ambiance of one of the midwest’s premier theme parks.  Thursday morning would see us jump on our bikes, renewed and refreshed for a wonderful ride back to the fine city of Toledo for another night’s stay.  By Friday if all things go as planned, we would be back home safe, and sound all the better for the experience.

That was the plan; however, the reality was somewhere in between.

     On a crisp Monday morning we assembled at Carl’s house all bright eyed and ready to go.  And as a sign of how times have changed, Carl’s mother and my father told us to enjoy ourselves and please be safe.  And with a quick picture taken by my dad, (“to identify the bodies”), we turned right out of his driveway and were on our way. 

I really don’t think that it could have been possible to have a better summer day to ply any endeavor, but this one seemed somehow a cut above them all.  The birds were singing, the squirrels were squirrelly and there was a song in our hearts as we raced down the road to our new adventure.  Actually the day went quite well with us stopping to have lunch in Trenton I believe feeling quite up to the challenge stretched out before us.  As the end drew near to the first day of our trip, it was evident that we would arrive in Toledo ahead of schedule.  (Carl’s schedule that is).

We arrived at the Toledo downtown branch of the YMCA and registered ourselves into one of their deluxe 5 by 5 rooms with a view.  (Of the back alley garbage dump).  However, as we went on a self-led tour of the building, one of the staff recognized my t-shirt that had emblazoned on it the logo from our local Macomb YMCA and stopped us in our tracks.  Startling us beyond our 15 years he yelled . . . “Macomb YMCA . . . do you guys know a Fred Wallace?”  Well we did in fact.  My father had given him his first job as a program director at our local YMCA, and I had known him for years.  Unknown to us, he was now a director at that Toledo YMCA, and we soon found him and caught up on old times.  Fred told us that he would find a better place for us to stay than the room we were given, and he was right!  He took us down to the Members private locker-room, and made us at home there.  It was the most perfect place in the entire world for two weary 16 year olds.  We had deluxe showers; message tables our own private sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room.  Not to mention that when they closed the “Y”, we were the only ones there!  We enjoyed playing in the shows and everywhere else like we owned the place.  The best part was that when it came time to go to sleep, we were introduced to the greatest place of slumber in the entire world.  (For the living anyway).

The ”Nap Room” as it was known was one of the undiscovered wonders of the modern age.  I am quite sure that whoever invented the concept, just as quickly learned to keep the knowledge to only a select few trustworthy people.  If any news of this heavenly vestibule were to leak out to the world at large, all work and commerce would immediately cease and desist.  Here was a room about twelve feet long by about 8 feet wide that had nothing but comfortable cots for snoozing and relaxing.  When you closed the door, every thread of the outside world was cut.  Looking back I now realize that it was an early form of the sensory deprivation chambers that would become popular in the 80’s, and we had it all to ourselves!  What a nights’ sleep!  We awoke refreshed, renewed and refocused on our little quest to the “Pointe”. 

We knew that the second day would be a little more difficult because we would still be a bit fatigued from the previous ride, (and saddle sore), but we were young and ready for another challenge.  However, the one thing that Carl in al his infinite wisdom did not plan out meticulously was:  the weather.  We dressed, grabbed our trusty 10 speeds and exited the YMCA in preparation for another joyful jaunt, when we stepped outside into 42-degree weather and a steady cold rain.  This is the type of weather that ducks normally stay indoors and play cards in, but hey, not us, we were on an adventure!   A $^&(*&_))(*+%^ng adventure!.

This day would soon become one of the longest, nastiest, most singularly uncomfortable and annoying days that we have ever endured.  Tooling down some forgotten Ohio roads that stretch into infinite, we did our best to stay on track and schedule while the rain pelted us and the wind  assailed us.  And on top of that, every four minuets, we would be almost blown from the road every time one of America’s finest tandem rigs would roll by us at seventy miles per hour.  The only thing keeping us going at that point was the thought of something hot and warm at the end of our painful journey.  On top of that, with the elements impeding our forward progress, we were making terrible time, and might not even make it to the Sandusky before it closed.  Since we did our own planning for this trip, and not taking the weather into account, I had NO bad-weather gear.  All I had was a garbage bag that I cut a hole in for my head.

Exhausted, beaten and drenched, we sat under a tree in a yard across the street from a tiny country store.  Too tired to do anything other than stare, we watched with vacant expressions as powerful cars and trucks whooshed past us on their way down the road to rest, warm beds and ultimate happiness.  We were still about seven miles from Sandusky and the YMCA that was about to close for the night

 After a time, we struggled to our feet and ambled over to the store to at least get out of the rain for a few precious moments.  We sought temporary sustenance as were going to have to assemble what little strength we could muster and climb back into the saddles to ride to our destination, before the dark and the rain totally enveloped us. 

Standing in the small country store, I am quite sure that we looked truly pitiful.  So bad in fact, that a complete stranger approached us and generously offered to by us food.  However the aforementioned food turned out to be – a huge bag of genuine, lightly salted, pork rinds.  While I am not knocking pork rinds as a rule, and I am certain that a large demographic of our population truly enjoys them. There are some parts of animals that even the American Indians did not indulge in.  Sometimes you just have to say no!  Ah, apparently, this was not one of those times.  In our weakend, diluted state, the thought of dining on a diet of unused animal fat did not seem to slake any type of hunger that we had acquired.  That being said, we now considered ourselves men of the world, and as the worldly travelers we had instantly become, we did both carefully sample them.  After spitting them out and throwing the bag away, we dragged ourselves back to our place under the tree to die.

At our darkest hour, as if sent by some higher power, a mysterious stranger in a Chevy pickup truck pulled up in front of us, leaned over and after surveying our hopeless plight, asked if we would like a ride to Sandusky. Once again, something I am very sure you would never do in this day and age, we bolted to our feet, threw our useless bicycles in the back and jumped into this complete stranger’s truck.

I do believe at that point, it wouldn’t have really mattered where he was taking us, or what he was likely to do when he got us there, at least we were out of the unrelenting rain, and on our way to somewhere that we didn’t have to pedal to.  As it turned out, he drove us right up to the front door of the Sandusky Family YMCA, waved and drove off into the night, like the temporary miracle he was.  Once inside,  we found out that there was a group staying overnight in the YMCA, and we would have to sleep on our sleeping bags on the floor with all the other kids.  No problem, just let it not be in the rain!

The actual visit to Cedar Point itself was enjoyable yet somewhat anti-climactic.  Nothing really memorable happened.  We awoke on Wednesday morning, got there early, (we had to walk), and we also had to find the best route and remember it, or suffer the consequences.  If we didn’t the “Y” would be closed when we returned and we would be on the outside looking in.  We spent the entire day there, and didn’t miss riding on anything.  We even had the pleasure of having a young couple change their baby right next to us on the picnic table as we tried in vain to eat our lunch.  Soon the park was closing, and we set off for the YMCA through the dusk and the impending fog.  Carl decided (as he has a habit of doing), that we should attempt a “short-cut” which sounds like a great idea when you are tired at the end of a long day.  Yet as it turns out, wandering through a strange graveyard in the dark wasn’t the best of ideas in retrospect.  However, I will say this, the YMCA was right where we left it, and right where he said it would be.  

Thursday morning we awoke surprisingly enough with lots of vigor and determination to start the long trip home.  While dressing in the locker room to head out, the Sandusky YMCA executive congratulated us on our quest, thanked us for staying and gave Carl a token to remember them by.  It was a “Buckeye”.  A nut indigenous to the Ohio area, and a very memorial souvenir and keepsake.  I can still picture it today, one of life’s great moments.  It was an unlooked for treasure that to most people would not mean much, but to us it was if it was made of gold.  

The ride Thursday was hot, but for the most part, we were now getting stronger and stronger by the mile so it did not even phase us.  We relaxed that evening at the Toledo Downtown “Y” once more, and took full advantage of the Nap Room to refresh and renew us.

Friday morning was mostly a blur with us wanting to be back at home with our loved ones.  We rode with hardly any breaks or rest stops, and zoomed alone mile after mile without tiring.  In fact I remember riding past the spot that we stopped on the first day to have our lunch in Gibraltar, and thought to myself, “I don’t even know who those guys are anymore.”  The young immature, naive 15 year olds that had lazed about on that spot several days earlier, were now replaced with older, wiser, stronger, worldly men.  

Our last stop was downtown Detroit in rush hour.  Driving faster than the normal traffic, we were a blur whizzing along at about 20 miles an hour between lanes of traffic, and getting even stronger with every mile.  I didn’t stop until I rode all the way back to the countryside of Mt. Clemens and home 

Fueled by our transformation, we rejoined our friends on Saturday at Travis and related our story.  It was easy for us to tell them exactly what we did on our journey, but it took almost thirty years to realize how we were forever changed by the experience.  

That summer we reached our destination.  A journey forever etched in our hearts.

Rb

Fall, 1973

Bob and Carl who have been working at The Macomb YMCA have learned how to play their instruments.  Bob has learned bass guitar and Carl keyboards.  They are asked by Gary Miller to join his band, Superman that practices at the YMCA.  The band now consists of Bob and bass and cornet, Carl on keyboards, Gary Miller on lead guitar and his brother Ray on rhythm guitar.  

Since the band being formed, they had heard about a legendary lead singer, packed with charisma and showmanship named Cordosh, apparently he even showed up for one practice that Carl was part of.  The band never actually played anywhere, as Miller’s equipment was stolen and Carl went to college.  It was however, a great experience learning how to jam and improvise with other musicians.

June 9, 1974

Carl is the class salutatorian, and Bob somehow graduates.  They are asked to solo at the Baccalaureate.

August, 1974

Bob, Carl, Wayne Craycraft and an unknown drummer play at a graduation party.  Classmate and all-around good guy, Kenneth Thoel hires us to play at his high school graduation party.  The gig was somewhere at 24 mile and Romeo Plank Road.

August, 1974

After meeting Jim Lee and Steve Puntuiere at Macomb County Community College, they decide that Bob should replace Vince Puntuiere who was retiring from the band Emotion Ride that was currently recording music and playing live gigs.

The first gig they play as the new Emotion Ride is Gabe’s on Gratiot  East Detroit, Michigan.

September, 1974

Carl attends Michigan State University studying electrical engineering

September, 1974

Bob attends Macomb County Community College music program and meets Jim Lee and Steve Punturiere.

December 13, 1974

For the Chippewa Valley High School Christmas dance, the band Golden Emperor plays in the cafeteria.  
The band consists of Carl on keyboards, Bob on bass, Scott Anderson on guitar, Rich Belmont on drums with special guest star, April McNealy on vocals.  A group of musicians from Honolulu Conservatory Of Music in Mount Clemens.

June 28, 1976

Bob and Carl work all summer for the Macomb YMCA as day camp counselors.  The camp goes to Stoney Creek Monday thru Wednesday and Thursday to Lake Port State Park, coming back Friday afternoon.

The boys have many adventures and learn a slew of life lessons working as counselors for the YMCA those summers.

July 4, 1976

Sanctuary is asked to play a concert in the park at Shady-Side Park in Mount Clemens, Michigan as part of the city celebration of the country’s Bicentennial.

Set up and tear down take 13 hours and after all that effort, a faulty rental PA snake dooms the show.  The band only plays one song but cannot continue without the sound of the vocals and instruments being heard.  A very first lesson learned in being a rock star.

July 31, 1976

Steve, Carl, Bob and Larry McKeen on drums play a Bicentennial concert outside of Mount Clemens.

September, 1976

Jim Lee invites his cousin and Algonac area virtuoso Adam Prebzylski, AKA (Adam Allen or Adam Bomb)to join the group and play lead guitar.

October, 1976

The band Sanctuary is formed with Steve Punturiere on guitar, Robert Balch on bass, Gary Burlak on Keyboards, Jim Lee on drums.

December 31, 1976
Sanctuary plays New Years Eve at Imperial Lanes In Clinton Township, Michigan
Steve, Gary, Adam, Jim and Bob.  Sanctuary has been playing five nights a week through the fall for $87 each, after the Musician’s Union and Mike Goody take their cut.  In fact when we got paid by the president of the union, he thanked us for working so hard, quote: “Thanks boys, now I can get a new pool for my house”

July 20, 1977

In the summer of 1977, Steve Punturiere, Carl Zimmerman, Robert and George Balch all travel to New York to try and sell their music to several record companies.  The record companies in New York were big, powerful and formidable, but since disco music was currently all the rage, they were offered polite rejections.

Summer, 1977

In the late summer of 1977, Sanctuary was invited to play a house party.  The whole gang was there to rattle the walls and blow out some country windows!  The band was beginning to find their groove.

Fall, 1977

During the fall of 1977 Bob is asked to play cornet in the Macomb Community College String Ensemble in Warren, Michigan.  Carl played in a symphony about this time as well.

It was a great experience for both of them to be asked to join the ensembles.  

December 31, 1977

New Year’s bash at The Colony Bowl in Algonac, to ring in the new year.  Sanctuary plays one of their last shows with Adam as he would leave to form his own band.  Steve, Jim, Carl and Bob from Sanctuary would go on to form The Boys.

July 1, – August 23, 1978

Bob is selected as one of the seven members of the YMCA World Ambassadors from America to attend and work in Hokkaido Japan for two months.  The program has teens from Australia, The Philippines, and USA working together as counselors at Camp Chimikeppu, Hokkaido Japan.

September 22, 1978

Bob begins working at JCPenney’s at Lakeside Mall, Sterling Heights Michigan as a stock clerk where he meets Kelly McCarty who becomes Brad Savage.  

October 31, 1978

Sanctuary might have been a lot of things, but one of them was never DULL.  Adam, Bob, Carl, Jim, Steve and even Joel could play when push came to shove.  The bar was rocking until 3:00 am most nights, when they would have to turn on the lights and yell, “GO HOME, YOU CAN’T STAY HERE!”

June, 1979

Carl graduates from college and officially joins Sanctuary.
Carl Zimmerman on keyboards and guitars.  Jim Lee on drums.  Steve Punturiere on guitar and Robert Balch on Bass.  Playing in Algonac and other bars, taverns and roadhouses in the Metro Detroit area.

July, 1979

Carl is hired to work in the fuel injection division as an electrical engineer for the Ford Motor Company.

February 9, 1979

Sanctuary plays at Richmond High School valentine’s dance and fills the gym with song.

December 27, 1980

The Boys play a wedding at Club Monty Carlo in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  At the height of their showmanship, every gig that was played was musical magic.  Every wedding, show or concert, The Boys did not disappoint.  Here they took the time to pose for Christmas cards that went out to fans.

March 12, 1981

Sanctuary is asked to entertain in the court at Lakeside Mall.  It’s a “Sock-Hop night”.  The court was packed as Sanctuary entertained at the height of their rock & roll powers.

1981

As Recalled by Kelly McCarty: 

“Me, Larry, Jerry, and DJ bought musical equipment back in 1980, and formed a basement band called Tilch!
DJ and I wrote a song called Johnny. That was the first song I ever wrote. Other than that we just were playing cover music while trying to learn our instruments.

However DJ was not all that into it, and that’s when the idea to rename the band to The Cockroaches with me Jerry and Larry, started in 1981.

Jerry penned: Three Stooges, Rock ‘N’ Roll, and I wrote, Cockroach Party.

The three of us began writing and practicing in the basement for several months. Jerry and I are almost every day, Larry and my mom‘s bingo nights on Thursdays and continue to practice in learn songs that we wrote.

When we hit 20 or 30 songs that we had written, we kept practicing until we thought that it would be a good idea to record.”

Km

July 11, 1981

Bob and Carl are asked to perform at The Macomb Theater rededication.  They perform Beatles and country songs to the delight of the sold out patrons.

September 12, 1981

Sanctuary plays a wedding at Geisz hall in East Detroit.  It’s a beautiful night and time for some youthful high jinx.  Eventually the boys pose for some of their soon to be group-defining photos.

July, 1982

Sanctuary plays at Clinton Gables in Mount Clemens, Michigan.
On the big stage the party was a huge success as Sanctuary was able to show their command of Country, Oldies as well as classic Rock & Roll hits.

August, 1982

Bob Balch, Steve Punturiere, Carl Zimmerman, Ron Patlawitz, Jerry & Kelly McCarty enter Super Lix Recording Studio in East Detroit to record Their debut album, Cockroach Party.

Songs include: Cockroach Party, Swimming In The Secretarial Pool, Three Stooges Rock & Roll, Bad Reputation and more.
All songs are recorded in one day, with a return to do some overdubs and re-mastering.

August, 1982 – February, 1987

Bob and Carl begin playing Vinnie’s Bar & Grill on Hayes in Clinton Township.  Most every Friday night for five years.  Our friends and fans from JCPenney’s would come and share their evening with us.  Teresa was the owner’s wife and patriarch of the family.  There was Vince, Vinnie and the two daughters.

1983

In 1983, Jim, Steve, Carl and Bob drop the name Sanctuary and become The Boys.  With the emergence of “New Wave” music, the boys embrace the newest style that more closely resembles their true musical roots. They begin playing weddings, fairs, city music festivals and house parties as well as bars.  1983 sees them entertaining several nights a week at The Wooden Nickel.  The band takes off and is in demand all over Metro Detroit.

March 17, 1984

Having just begun playing Irish music, it was both an honor and a challenge to play Irish music on Saint Paddy’s day in Detroit at one of the most venerable Irish pubs in the city.  Somehow we pulled it off.

July, 1984

Bob and Carl play The Wayward Princess, out of Toronto on the Detroit River.  We somehow were hired to play a party on The Wayward Princess on The Detroit River, and did a great job.  The captain of the ship then hired us for a few more gigs.  However, it all came to an end when we were detained in Canada for not having work permits.  The ships’ captain had to post our bail and put up a bond for our employment.  It lasted one more gig after that and then became too much of an international incident.

May, 1985

Bob, Carl and Paul participate in the Wolverine 200 Bike Endurance Race.
For years Bob, Carl and their great friend Paul Burkel participated in the endurance race, and this year, they traveled 223 miles in the 24 hours that the race allows.  8:00 am Saturday until 8:00 am Sunday.  They boys showed up for the race for many years, but always had to play music on one of the nights of the race.  This year, they set a good to finish the 200 miles, and they surpassed their expectations.  It was another of their life defining watermarks.  Nothing easy about it, but in the end: Goal achieved!

June, 1985 – May 29, 2017

The Boys began a long history of playing Great Oaks Country Club.  What began as a gig at Gowanie Country Club in Mount Clemens, turned into a thirty year run of playing at Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester, Michigan.  Brian the course manager at Gowanie, loved us when he heard us and so brought us to Great Oaks when he became manager there.  Brian eventually moved down south and left us a string of managers to work with over the years.  After a few years, The Boys retired and Bob and Carl entertained for years before they decided to save money and hire DJ’s.

June, 1986

Carl Zimmerman marries Kimberly Beard in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

Summer, 1986

It was a magical summer for so many reason, one of them being asked to stroll at Trapper’s Alley in Greek Town, Michigan.  We walked up and down the three levels of shops and fun for the entire weekend, singing with two acoustic guitars to the delight of the awe struck shoppers.  It was an amazing experience, and an even more amazing memory.

September 6, 1986

Robert Balch marries Rebecca Bloom.

June 17, 1987

Sarah Zimmerman is born to the proud parents of Carl and Kim Zimmerman.

August 22, 1987

The Boys Play The Bud Lite Sight & Sound Music Series on the waterfront in Mount Clemens.  A huge crowd watches The Boys play an amazing concert and then enjoy fireworks.

August 30, 1987

Robert and Rebecca Balch are the proud parents of Kaitlin Alyse Balch.

June, 1988 – June, 1993

Bob and Carl Play The Ryan Roadhouse most every Friday night.  The restaurant was our home each Friday night for about five years.  We shared many an amazing night with fans, friends and family.

July 1, 1988

The Boys Play The Bud Lite Sight & Sound Music Series concert along the waterfront in downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan.  23,ooo turn out to watch the concert and enjoy the fireworks display.  After the show, the Mount Clemens city counsel proclaims the concert as “The best the city has ever seen!”

July 4, 1988

On Independence day in 1988, The Boys played a concert at Freedom Hill, Michigan to officially, “Welcome Home” our Vietnam war veterans.  It was very emotional as people made speeches and poems welcoming home those who gave so much to our country.

August 11, 1988

The Boys open the concert at Dodge Park, in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  They play an electrifying set that sets the staged for The Sun Messengers.  It was an amazing summer evening where the crowd was cheering for encore after encore.

June 31, 1989

On June 31, 1989, Robert and Rebecca Balch welcome a second daughter into the world.

July, 1989

The Boys play The Pontiac Silverdome Parking lot.  A festival complete with midway and amusement  games is the setting for this summer event. 

August 12, 1989

The Boys play a Hawaiian dance at Black River Country Club Port Huron, Michigan.  It’s a fun gig full of lots of surprises including a festive dance show.

September, 1989

After more than fourteen years together, Steve leaves the group to start a family.

December 6, 1989

Andrew Zimmerman is born to proud parents Carl and Kimberly Zimmerman.

May 7, 1990

The principal of Chippewa Valley High School asked us to put on a show of the history of rock & roll.  We spent a week practicing and writing a script, then did a performance that illustrated the many different  affects and styles that made up the roots of the American popular music.  Students filed into the auditorium and showed their approval with thunderous applause.  Mr. Positive, AKA, Gregory Baltiff was the emcee of the show.

January 19, 1991

Jake Robert Balch is born to Robert and Rebecca Balch.

March 17, 1991

Our agent Rick Paul called us and asked if we wanted to bring some Irish cheer to the Millender Center in downtown Detroit on St. paddy’s day.  We jumped at the chance, and left with some wonderful memories of music, smiling faces and even some green alligators.

June 12, 1991

Some of the members at Great Oak’s Country Club in Rochester Michigan contacted the people at the Meadowbrook Mall who were looking for entertainers to showcase one of their fun summer events.  Our name came to the top of the list, and soon we were dodging beach balls and playing all the summer hits that the happy shoppers could tap their toes to.

July 4, 1991

The Boys with Adam Allen play a concert in the park in Huntington Woods, Michigan.  Families from 9 to 90 enjoy each and every song on this perfect summer night.  The fireworks at the end of the show give the entire evening an exclamation point!

August 22, 1991

The city of Mount Clemens asked us to perform a concert at the newly created fountain in the down town area.  People came and sat and listened to the music while the city streets bustled with music lovers.  Having our children in attendance only made the day even sweeter. 

August, 1992

Coleen Widlack who ran the YMCA women’s fitness camp at Camp Copneconic in Flint asked me if I would like to entertain the women on a Friday evening.  I did some classic rock songs, ballads and even a few old camp songs so they could sing along.  I was a fun-filled evening around the old lodge.

August 12, 1995

A friend of ours wanted to have us play at his house on the river, so we cobbled together a make-shift band and had a great time doing so.  Jim, Carl, Adam and I played all afternoon with the pure joy of playing with other great musicians.  You can see the fun in each picture.

August, 1996 – November 30, 2002

Bob and Carl begin playing Kokomo’s upscale restaurant in downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan, most every Friday night for about five years.  Co-owners, Joyce, Kelly and Linda create a wonderful atmosphere not before scene in downtown Mount Clemens for more than seventy years. 

August 17, 1996

Bob and Carl entertain at the second annual Woodward Dream Cruise in Huntington Woods, Michigan.

1997 – 2000

One of the most memorable gig we ever had was our first foray into entertaining at an art fair.
Playing under the trees with people milling about listening on a beautiful summer weekend, would be one of the memories we will always cherish.

September 3, 1998

Jerry and Kelly McCarty enlist Bob in the writing of the musical “Archie” Movie.  The movie screenplay was written by Jerry and Kelly McCarty and the music was written by the three.  Songs were written and recored by the McCarty’s and Bob and Carl.

This is how it began . . .

Thursday, September 3, 1998    10:29 PM

Hey Bob,

How’s things??

I got back to school this past week so, officially, my
vacation is OVER!!!! I’ve spent the last week putting some finishing
touches on some music I was writing for Jerry. I was wondering if you
or you and Carl could check it out and possibly play 2 or 3 of them.

I
could record it on cassette tape and send it to Jer. Let me know if
that is possible and if so, when and where could we do it.


It’s been a wild week also in that the mini van was broken into right on
our driveway. They broke out the back window and stole about $650 worth
of stereo equipment. Unfortunately, we didn’t have and extensive
coverage on the van for the loss of the stereo and it cost us 500 bucks
to replace the window.
But, a new week starts. Margaret and I are celebrating our 14th
anniversary on Monday.

Should be fun.
take care,


-k

July 24, 1998

The city of Auburn Hills asked if we would entertain the people with country and variety music.  It was a beautiful day and a wonderful crowd.

December 18, 1999 – 2020

Bob and Carl are asked to entertain the kids at Cherokee Elementary School in Clinton Township Michigan.
Since Carl’s son and daughter attended the school, the music teacher asked Carl if he could entertain the kids at the Christmas show.  They shared the stage with Dr. Zaranick, The National Guard Tots For Tots program, the PTO and others.  The show became a tradition that lasted many years and many schools to come.

September, 2000

Bob and Carl begin entertaining at The New Baltimore Steak Out Fundraiser and play for thirteen years.

May 12, 2001

We got a call from our agent about a guy who was turning 50, and was a HUGE Beatles fan.  He wanted to celebrate his birthday at his house with all of his friends listening to a band that plays Beatles songs.  We set up on the balcony between the second floor, looking down on the living room.  The house sat on Orchard lake and was the perfect setting for a birthday celebration.  After the guest of honor sat in with us, (He was a member of the Bugs Beddow Band), he called down to the guests to have Karen come up and sing with us.  She called back, “The only song I know is the national anthem!”  It was of course, Detroits’ own Karen Newman.   She did sit in with us, and sang, “Crazy” by Willie Nelson.  It was an magical evening.

September 7, 1997 – September 15, 2001

Bob and Carl entertain families at the first Marshbank Park campfire.  Complete wilderness bliss as they perform songs of the early American country and classic camp-fire sing-A-longs.

September 22, 2001

Bob and Carl at play The Saint Hubert’s Fall Festival in Harrison Township, Michigan.

May 29, 2002

The Novi Car show called and needed to guys who could entertain people with classic songs about cars and America.  We were just the guys to do it.  

November 8, 2002

We were asked to add music to the cultural diversity program at Grosse Pointe High School in November of 2002.  The students and staff filled the gymnasium as we offered songs that blended the lines between cultures and shattered stereotypes.  The students were very polite and appreciative of our involvement.  There was a luncheon afterwards where we met the students and answered questions.

July 23, 2003

We were invited by there Oxford Chamber Of Commerce to entertain at the William E. Scripps Estate in Oakland County Michigan.  During their Arts Autos & Architecture event, we provided a relaxing background to the historic site.

The Scripps Mansion 7-26-03 – 11

August 30 and 31, 2003

Bob and Carl play the Algonac Music & Art Fair along the water in Algonac, Michigan.  A beautiful, memorable day like no other.

August 31, 2003

On the canal in Harrison Township is a great place for a back yard party, and we were more than up to the challenge.  Carl and I gathered our gear together and hoped for the best from the rain clouds.  In the end, we did get poured on.  What are you going to do?  Its the life of a rock star!

June 16, 2004

The city of Farmington had us back to entertain their residents on this little hill overlooking the picturesque gazebo we were lucky enough to be able to entertain from.

Each time we played there, the reception was unmatched and over the years provided so many warm memories that we can scarcely count.

June 23, 2004

The Omni Hotel nestled not he Detroit river asked us to entertain their staff  as they were having a celebration of another great year.  The setting was picturesque as we provided background music for lunch and drinks by the river.

August 13, 2005 – 

Bob and  Carl begin playing at The Shelby Art Fair.  They begin a legacy of cool, calm pleasing relaxing music that has lasted ever since that first performance.

August 21, 2005

The city of Madison Heights graciously invites us to entertain before the fireworks display.  A beautiful day of people milling about enjoying all the joy a Michigan summer day can bring in the park.

January 8, 2007

Kelly, Jerry, Bob and friends visit Jay Leno and watch the tonight show live and in person.

March 31, 2007

In March of 2007 Carl retires from Ford Motor Company and vows to travel the world.

June 27, 2007

Carl and Bob perform at the historic Henry Ford Estate.  A concert attended by a select few lucky friends and fans.  Carl was amazing at the piano and the excitement even escalated when the tornado sirens demanded everyone take cover in the basement tunnels.

July 5, 2007

Memorial park was a new city venue that had a beautiful wooden stage built in a newly minted park.  Lots of people who attended the concert series we were lucky enough to be part of.  On this particular evening, the beautiful sunny skies gave way to a torrential downpour before anyone could even notice.  As the storm approached, we invited them to take shelter under the roof of the stage and finished the night have a concert-in-the-round.  It was truly one of the most memorable concert events we ever played.

July 7, 2007

One of the members of Great Oak’s Country Club hired us to entertain at their house in Rochester Michigan.  It was quite the party with lots of splashing guests enjoying all the wonderful memories a beautiful summer day can offer.  Playing while overlooking the entire scene was pretty sweet!

August 30, 2007

The Holsbeke family invited us to entertain at their birthday celebration.  It was on a ship on the Clinton River.  The afternoon and evening was a wonderful memory for everyone involved.  Music dancing and a celebration of life like no other.

March 20, 2009

Bob and Carl are asked to take part in the Assembly Line Concert.
A concert who’s goal was to break the Guinness WORLD Record for longest running music concert.

Bob and Carl played an hour, and enjoyed the once-in-a-liftime experience.

• Published: Aug. 21, 2009, 1:16 p.m.

  A.J. O’Neil, owner of A.J.’s Music Cafe in Ferndale, just found out that he officially broke a Guiness World Record when he hosted his first “Assembly Line Concert” this past March.

  The concert consisted of 288 hours of consistent live music playing that lasted 12 days and included more than 300 performers. What was his reaction to the honor? Next year he’s going to do it again and break his own record, he told local media.

  The little cafe is known for marathon music sessions of all sorts. In 2008, A.J.’s hosted a 50-hour “Danny Boy” marathon that started on St. Patrick’s Day.
  
  But the “Assembly Line” marathons are about more than just breaking records. O’Neil told the Detroit Free Press that it’s about promoting the Big Three car companies, too.

  He even had people sign a pledge to buy American cars through his “I Promise America” program. He’ll continue the drive with next year’s marathon.

  According to the Oakland Press, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and other dignitaries stopped by during last year’s marathon to support the cause.

   

   

  Jessica Nunez

  
  

   

   

July 25, 2009

Back in our old stomping grounds from the 70’s and 80’s, Carl and I somehow got ourselves invited to play at the Club Capri in Algonac.  It’s  nestled right near the Colony Tower and has all the old school charm of most Algonac watering holes.

It was a fun night, complete with a fish-fly sendoff that is traditional in those parts.

June 12, 2011

One of Carl’s wonderful friends who worked at Ford Motor Company with him had a son who was graduating from high school.  Martha thought that having entertainment that could also play the occasional Irish tune would be the perfect cherry on top of a perfect day.

April 5, 2011

Jerry McCarty contacted me about doing the soundtrack for a movie currently being filmed by a local film maker.  The working title was simply, “Morrow Road“.  I imagined the story of a ghost who haunted an area for over a century, so the soundtrack would need to reflect songs from specific decades.  I wrote eight songs beginning in the fifties and spacing decades after. I also wrote a song encapsulating the entire legend, called “The Ghost Of Morrow Road“

March 17, 2012

Bob and Carl entertain at The Limelight Pub in Rochester for Saint Patrick’s Day.  The weather is a perfect 80 degrees and the pub is packed with happy revelers enjoying a classic celebration of Irish songs and stories.  This St. Paddy’s day will live on in infamy.

April 1, 2012

Jerry McCarty approached Robert Balch about writing a Theme for actress Sean Young‘s Podcast.  I’m Not Crazy is written.

January 25, 2013

On Friday January 25, 2013, we met Jay Leno and had a personal tour of his garage.  After that we attended a taping of The Tonight Show at 3:00 Pm and then had dinner after at the Beverly Hills Hotel.  

Jerry McCarty, Jim Matczak, Carl Zimmerman, Kelly McCarty, Rodger Jack and Paul and his wife  all attended.  We went to the garage, attended the show, had dinner and then went to see Bob Cowsill and sat in the sing with him.

November 1, 2013

Bob and Carl begin playing at The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens.  Driving through town on your way to a high school friends’ funeral, we see the construction of a new Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens.  We stopped in and talked to the owner, (Bad Brad), and told him that we played Irish and other popular music, and that he needed to hire us when they opened. We began that fall for their “soft opening” and played for seven years after that, until the pandemic halted all entertainment. 

March 17, 2014

Bob and Carl guest star on WDIV‘s Live In The D for Saint Patrick’s Day.  
Bob and Carl begin the day playing at 7:00 am at Clancy’s on Hayes in Clinton Township and play until 9:00, then jump in the van and drive to Detroit to be featured on WDIV‘s Live in The D television show.  Upon finishing, we drove back to Clancy’s to finish the afternoon, and then traveled to Mount Clemens to play at The Three Blind Mice until 10:00.

July 10, 2014

The Trenton Days Festival was always a great place to play.  The ride down in the van was always enjoyable with good time to talk and discuss the band, where we were and where we wanted to go.  The street was teeming with folks checking out the vendors, the music and the adult beverages, among other things. Maybe we’ll see you again there next year!

July, 2014

Bob and Carl begin playing Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Township.  While we were playing at The Three Blind Mice in Mount Clemens, Shelby who was doing the booking, reached out to DJ Jimmy-Jammy at Bumper’s Landing and told him that he had a duo that could fill in there when they needed.  We began playing Bumper’s that summer and are playing there still.

August 15, 2014

Somehow we met a wonderful woman named Shantel who invited us to entertain at her bar on Lake Saint Clair, between New Baltimore and Algonac.  She was so nice to us, always kind and making sure that we were taken care of.  Eventually she closed that bar and opened a restaurant in Mount Clemens.  Such a wonderful person.  We enjoyed playing there.

August 23, 2014

Some customers who frequent Bumper’s Landing invited us to play a fundraiser at their house on the river.  When we arrived, and asked where we were to set up, the owner pointed to the roof!  “How is that going to happen?” we asked.  “Just carry all your gear up the stairway”, they said.  “Well, we’ll play if you get some people to get our equipment up there.”  Well, they did, and so did we.  It was an unforgettable night of fun, raising money for the Wertz Warriors.  

June 25, 2015

Bob and Carl entertain kids at The Marshbank Metro Park in West Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

August 20, 2015

It’s a long drive but so very worth it to get to Flatrock.  What make is worth it?, you might ask?  The people.  Fun friendly people who enjoy music and know how to have a good time.   There were bands, there was food, there was drinks and there was wrestling?  Yup, wrestling and games and cars and vendors.  Great fun  on a Sunday, entertaining all those who would listen.  We played in the tent, and when we were done we got to watch some other great acts.  Michigan is a hot bed for music.  Always was, and always will be.  Some amazing talent, no matter where you look.  We hope that Flatrock calls us back next year.

May, 28, 2016

Jimmy John’s Field Opens in Utica Michigan, and asks Bob and Carl to be a part of the “soft” opening.  They set up their equipment and test the stadium sound system, beginning a relationship that has lasted more than ten years.  Most of the performances have been on “Irish Night” at the ball park.  In 2026, the name was changed to UHY Field.

August 21, 2016

The 35Th Cockroach Reunion Bash at The Three Blind Mice in Mount Clemens.  Tony Vassar‘s band opens the night as the Cockroaches take the stage at 9:00 pm.  It’s the 35th year reunion concert and the Cockroaches fill the upper floor of the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan.

Original Cockroaches, Carl Zimmerman AKA Carl Rollin, Robert Balch AKA Bob Dantzer, Ron Patlewitz AKA Lance Devous, Jerry McCarty AKA Eric Swan are joined onstage by Adam Prebelski AKA Adam Bomb, Kaitlin Balch AKA Kaitlin DeWinter and Sarah Zimmerman.  With Steve Mccarty AKA Eddy Stein as the nights’ Emcee.

December 10, 2016

Bob and Carl are hired to perform Christmas sing-a-long songs on the riverboat as it cruises out and then back again before the party inside the garage.  A festive time is had by all!

December 13, 2016

On December 13, 2016 we went into the studio to record, Back In The 80’s at a private studio in Clinton Township, Michigan.
Adam Prebylski, Carl Zimmerman, Jerry McCarty, Kelly McCarty, Roń Patlawytz, Todd Ramblers all recorded their parts.

October 28, 2016

The seniors of Auburn Hills had a Halloween party that thrilled their entire group of residents.  Bob and Carl provided the soundtrack.  Lots of costumes, lots of music, lots of fun!

May 17, 2017

Co-Write Liquid Vacation with Jerry McCarty from an idea he had about a guy who goes into a bar and escapes the cold weather as he dreams of going on vacation to a warm climate beach.

Jerry had most of the words, and I re-write them and added music to finish the collaboration.
Rb

July, 13, 2017

Bob and Carl open for The Magic Bus band at Dodge Park, Sterling Heights Michigan.

Set List – July 13, 2017

1. Blowin In The Wind
2. Red rubber Ball
3. Summer In The City
4. Solitary Man
5. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
6. Flowers Never Bend With The Rainfall
7. America
8. Eve Of Destruction
9. Norwegian Wood
10. Feelin’ Groovy
11. Peace Train
12. The Letter Medley

June 8, 1991 – July 7, 2017

Bob and Carl are hired to serenade the members of this private golf course in the summer evenings at Gowanie Golf Course.

June 21, 2017

One of our traditions since the early 80’s was entertaining in Eastpointe.  We had played in Kennedy Park and then eventually in Spindler Park.  Finally we settled in to a new setting near the new city offices near Gratiot.  It is a huge area and is a bit intimidating since we are so far from the people, but loved playing there anyway.

August 7, 2017

Murphy’s Inn is a local Irish pub located in Saint Clair, Michigan.  We played there a few times and always had a good experience.  A classic pub in a beautiful location.

July 21, 2018 – 

Bob and Carl begin at Taylor’s Family Beach in Howell Michigan.  Alan Taylor hears us play at Bumper’s Landing in the winter and asked us to play at his family campground.  We begin playing under the pavilion next to the lake beach on Memorial Day, and have been playing ever since.

December 17, 2018,

Jerry McCarty, lead singer for The Cockroaches passes away.

Gerald William McCarty, 57, a business executive who was active in many charitable causes in Santa Clarita and the Los Angeles area, died on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, after battling cancer for more than three years. Gerald, known as “Jerry” to his family and friends, passed away at his favorite place amid all his travels: his home in Valencia, California. His wife, Kathlene, and their two children, Dana and Evan, were by his side.
Jerry was born to Robert and Jean McCarty in Detroit in 1961. Jerry, who spent more than 35 years in sales and finance, began his career in the Detroit area before moving to California in 1995. Most recently he was West Coast sales manager for Murata Machinery, USA. He also served in key positions at SMTCL, Fadal Engineering, and The Cross Company. For 18 years, Jerry also was an adjunct professor at Woodbury University, where he received his MBA. The California State Legislature and the County of Los Angeles honored Jerry for his charitable work such as supporting the Los Angeles Mission and designing a program to train students to use machine tools. “DJ Jerry” emceed school and charity events.
Jerry will be remembered fondly for his humor and generosity. He is survived by his wife, Kathlene, children Dana and Evan, mother Jean, brothers Michael (Karen), Dennis, Richard, Lawrence (Gina), Kelly (Margaret), and Steve (Kristen), and many nieces and nephews. Jerry was predeceased by his brother Daniel and father Robert.

July 18, 2019

Bob and Carl open again at Dodge Park for The Magic Bus.  A great crowd is very appreciative of our classic 60’s mix of folk, pop and rock music.

August 6, 2020

Bob and Carl entertain at The Country Club Of Lansing.  Beautiful people surrounded by a beautiful golf course, listening to beautiful music.

March, 13, 2021 – 

The Saint Clair Shores Saints Hockey team hires Bob and Carl to play Irish music at Blossom Heath in Saint Clair Shores.  The very first fundraiser we played was cold, windy and lots of fun.  A new tradition that we still continue today.

June 19, 2021

Bob and Carl play a bevy of classic rock hits to the delight of some of Michigan’s premier car aficionados.

August 27, 2021 – 

Bob and Carl have their first gig at The 5Th Tavern in Clarkston, Michigan.

September 23, 2021

Bob and Carl are asked to perform at the Gabe Anton Foundation Art Fundraiser. An annual event to raise money and awareness for the arts.

By MITCH HOTTS | mhotts@medianewsgroup.com | Macomb Daily

PUBLISHED: September 23, 2021 at 8:33 p.m. | UPDATED: September 24, 2021 at 10:50 a.m.

The old saying about neither snow, rain nor heat can stop the mail from being delivered may as well apply to supporters of the Anton Art Center.

After two days of drenching downpours, about 300 patrons of the Mount Clemens facility braved misty skies, breezy conditions and 50-degree temperatures in order to attend Thursday evening’s outdoor ArtParty fundraiser.

And a line of people waiting at the registration table seemed to calm the nerves of Phil Gilchrist, the center’s executive director, as he greeted guests. Past events have been held in everything from sweltering heat to thunderstorms.

“Thirty years of ArtParty, we’ve seen it all,” said Gilchrist, looking artsy in a black suit coat and slacks, green tie, green tennis shoes and a green tint in his hair. “Our crowd is pretty resilient. You’ve still got your food, you’ve still got your booze and you’ve got your entertainment, so it’s a party.”

Because of the ongoing pandemic, some sides of the tent were lifted, and party-goers were urged to observe social distances and wear masks.

Guests nibbled on offerings from local eateries including Bath City Bistro, Orleans, Penne Lane, El Charro Mexican Restaurant and Stahl’s Meats & Deli. New to the party this year was Sterling Heights-based Portillo’s Hot Dogs, which had packaged slices of chocolate cake for the taking.

Party-goers also bid on various paintings, jewelry and other works of art, and purchased raffle tickets, with proceeds going to the Art Center.

More than one person was seen shivering as a steady wind blew through an open panel, but guests said they could handle the elements for a few hours.

“Yes it’s cold out, but I’ve been coming to this event for a while now because I am a patron of the arts,” said real estate agent Catherine Bott.

March 16, 2022

Bob and Carl play a pre Saint Patrick’s celebration show at The Pix Theater in Lapeer, Michigan.

June 2, 2022

Carl and I were asked to sing at the Beach Market open air marketplace in Charlotte Michigan, on June 6.  It was a very interesting event, as we had never been in that area and were charmed by the open air casual atmosphere that permeated the entire venue.  

July 22, 2022

One of our oldest and dearest friends was in town, and her sisters were having a family reunion.  We have know her since the early days of the Macomb YMCA and were beyond excited to be able to see her again.  So many years playing Irish music at her house as a warm up for Saint Patrick’s Day were still in our memory.  The day was amazing and playing for friends on Cass lake was just perfect!

August 10, 2022

Bob and Carl play In-The-Round at Riverview.  The crowd we fun and the night was memorable.Riverview 8-10-22 – 5

August 30, 2023

Ascent Aerospace called us to help them celebrate another great year.  We answered the call and entertained their staff during a lunchtime filled with great food, music and plenty of smiles.

September 22, 2024

Bob and Carl lend their eclectic music to the Clinton Township art fair afternoon.

July 9 – 11, 2025

Bob travels to Nashville to record Liquid Vacation at Dark Horse Studios outside of Nashville.
Flew down on Tuesday, recorded Wednesday and flew back Thursday.  At the Nashville airport I ran into fellow Detroiter, Jack White who happened to be flying in to town.  We chatted about his signature guitar that I had just ordered, a Fender Triplecaster electric guitar.  He was very gracious, which I truly appreciated.

March 17, 2026

We have played many Saint Patrick’s events through the years, some incredible, some not so much; but this one was truly special.

I guess because it was so thoroughly unexpected.  What began as a simple and straight-forward St. Pat’s event, became so much more, all because of our longtime friend, Joe!

Carl and I had a St. Paddy’s celebration scheduled in Livonia, at a beautiful and truly ginormous  senior facility, entertaining from 11:00 to 1:00 Pm.

It was a new venue to us, and we enjoyed it from start to finish, as it was second-to-none with the  staff and residents being absolutely amazing.  I know that they appreciated it as much as we did.  First class from the moment we arrived!

After making sure that everyone had an amazing time, we said our “Goodbyes ” and headed out to where we believed to be, back home.  However, our great friend Joe and his wife, texted us and invited us to meet them for a drink, as they were only a few minutes down the road.

Before we knew it, we arrived at a golf course and the bar within, called The Tin Cup.  It was packed but somehow we found our friends and sat down to celebrate the day by sharing a pint.

Just as Carl and I were taking in the Irish band currently playing, Joe informed us that he invited the owner to stop by the table and meet us.

Soon a smiling young lady stopped by and introduced herself as the owner, Beth.

After a few minutes of back and fourth, she decided to by us a beer and dinner!  (Sometimes its good to be rock stars)

Carl and I were in Irish heaven, listening to a good Irish band, drinking Guinness and having an amazing dinner.  We didn’t think that it could get any better.   However, as usual, we were wrong.

The next time Beth stopped by our table, she started enquiring if were were available to entertain NEXT St. Paddy’s day.  Taken aback, we said we were and we were hired on the spot.

It certainly couldn’t get better than that!

Wrong!!!

The next time she stopped by our table she started talking about the band that was playing, and she mentioned that they were done at 5:00 Pm.  She said that she had no one to finish the night and asked us if we wanted to stay and play?

Well, the rest is Irish history.  Or, Bob and Carl history, or something like that.

To make a long story short, we finished out meal and waited for the band to clear out, then set up and played the rest of the evening.

It was truly one amazing day!

Thanks again to Joe and Sue.  Thanks to Beth and her husband, and to all the great people who shared their Irish celebration with us that day!

Pretty sure there was a Leprechaun or two involved in this day!

Rb