September 2015

We expected a great night at Bumper’s Landing, in Harrison Twp. on the river, but on this night we got even more than we imagined.

Even just walking up to the bar, you could already sense the party atmosphere in the air.  Happy smiles, laughing and dancing patrons, all out for one more night of summer fun, before anyone reminds them that technically, summer is over.

No one here cares.  Fall, as summer or even spring is as good a time to party as any other, when you are a boater in Michigan.

Setting up is interesting enough in the place, as we are right on the edge of the river, in an gazebo that it dedicated to the high-octane, laid-back cool-calm, fun atmosphere at Bumper’s.

People sitting, talking arriving and embarking from the boats that line up to be a part of the evenings’ fun and entertainment.

On the particular Saturday night, we were the ones that were entertained, it seems.  For as we were setting up, we met the legendary owner and proprietor of Bumper’s, Paul.

Paul, whom I thought was a bus-boy at first; as he cleaned up around us and asked if he could make us at home with a bucket of complimentary beers.

We couldn’t believe that in this day and age of corporate mentality, someone as important as he, could also be so personable and caring.

What a amazing owner.

And the night would get even better . . .

After beginning at 6:00, Carl and I played a set that included every type of music that the diners could imagine.  Singing for more than an hour, as the boats and people continued to pour in.  One of those boats contained a group of men that included hockey hall-of-fame legend Dino Ciccarelli.

Dino made the night for us.  As big hockey fans, we had watched Dino play with great fire, for the Detroit Red Wings and before that with the Minnesota North Stars.

One of the most dynamic and irascible, forwards in the modern era of the Nation Hockey League.

But to us, he was just one of our pals, as we hung out between sets and commented on the atmosphere around us.

We were having a great time playing everyone’s favorite hit songs from many eras, and then things got even more interesting.

Dino found us after our fourth set, and began quizzing us if we knew any music by a buddy of his . . .  “Do you know any of Matt’s music”  Well, we did, as in fact we play a couple songs each night.  Matt, of course was the legendary, Uncle Cracker!

Local hero from Harrison Twp. who made the big time in the recording industry.

Dino, it seemed wanted Matt to sing with us, but it wasn’t going to happen.  Uncle Cracker wasn’t working on this night.  He was just holding court in the men’s bathroom, hanging with friends and enjoying some down-time after finishing a big tour.

Yeah, we do the same thing.  Even without those two celebrities, it was an amazing summer night at Bumper’s.

Can’t wait until the next one!

Rb

“In the park I saw a daddy
With a laughing little girl that he was swinging.
And I stopped beside a Sunday school
And listened to the songs they were singing.
Then I headed down the street,
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringing,
And it echoed through the canyon
Like the disappearing dreams of yesterday.”

SUNDAY MORNIN’ COMIN’ DOWN
Johnny Cash

Everything about this day was a much needed, enjoyable ending to a magical, unforgettable summer.

We were in Flat Rock, again, as part of the Flat Rock Riverfest.   Seemed like we were just in Flat Rock about a year ago, having an amazing time.  (yeah, we were . . .)

But, something about this particular year was even better.  We were to open the days’ entertainment for two other great Detroit bands.  It was up to us to set the pace for the entire day.

Ok, we were up for that!

What made it really enjoyable was that it was one thing we loved to do.  To get everyone in a great mood for enjoying music.  Funny, I know, but to us we know exactly what we mean by that.

Carl and I take great pride in what we do.  We love entertaining people with our music, because in part, because we came from such humble musical beginnings.

When we play, it is a joy most of the time for everyone involved.  We hope.

Anyway, today we were going to open up for two bands that we had never heard.  That was part of the enjoyment.

When we arrived, we staked our spot out in the front of the stage, so that the next band could set up using most every square inch.  We set up so fast, that somehow, they unplugged our power three times; so we had to reprogram our equipment over and over again.

That was fun.

But, soon we were ready to go, and we played our first song, to the delight of the one person in the audience!  Yea!  ( don’t worry, eventually more arrived.)

Well our set flew by.  We played our usual medley of songs.  A variety of country, rock and ballads, that everyone who eventually arrived seemed to enjoy.

Next up was the band called War Machine.

War Machine, we soon found out was a tribute band.  The first of the two today that emulated the legendary band, Kiss.

What fun these guys had!

Not only that; the audience came from far and wide to support them, as well.  They were loved and worshipped by young and old through each and every song!

They had a so much fun playing that you could sense it from every corner of the park.  We were watching and loving it from the VIP tent that the great folks at Flat Rock created this year.  Amazing, is what it was.  Free food and drinks.  Carl and I felt like we could stay the entire afternoon.

Ok, that is exactly what we did!!!

For just as War Machine played their final number, there was only a short time until the next great Detroit band took the stage .  .  . Captured Detroit.

The were a Journey tribute band, and both of us could not wait to hear them.  Soooooo, we had a few more beers and some more food and settled back for what turned out to be another amazing show.

Great musicianship was apparent as they played song after great song to the delight of the huge crowd.

It was an wonderful ending to a wonder summer concert series for us.  Everyone was so nice to us in Flat Rock that we hope we will be invited back in 2016!

 

Rb

Sometimes, it can be relaxing . . .

Sitting by the water and watching the tides as they go in and then back out again.

Sometimes it can be relaxing.  And then, sometimes not.

When you are sitting by the water it may be relaxing.  Entertaining at a pub, and watching the patrons come in, fill the tables, listen for an hour or so, and then go away again, is hard work.  Good work; but, hard work, just the same.

That was how it seemed on Friday last, as we entertained at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

I guess, since most all of the roads in downtown Mt. Clemens are under repair, we should be thankful that anyone at all that is willing to brave the construction and spend a night out with us.

Be that as it may; we began the night at 8’clock with a near full house, only to have them turn over two hours later, to nearly no-one, and then again, nearly full.  It seemed to happen all night long, just that way.  In and out.  Full, then empty, then full . . .

Ok, I think I have made my point.

“How does it affect us?”, you might ask . . .

Well, as “Entertainers“, (Lol), we need to establish an rapport with our audience.  It takes a little while to get to know them, and they us.

We begin doing what we do, (Whatever that is).  We play for a bit, and then probe the patrons for feedback on what they would like us to favor them with.  After a bit, we begin to understand what each table or group is longing for, and try and tailor our sections to match.  Only in that way, can we give them an experience that they will hopefully find memorable.

Simple?  Still, what’s the problem?

Well, all of this, takes a fair amount of time.  There is a “feeling out” period where the audience comes to except us, and lets us into their experience.  It takes a while to get people to except you.  To share their night, their dinner, their reverence or excitement of celebration with them.

And in that time, we have the ability to do the same with them.  To share with them our expertise, our passion, or our personalities.

It takes time.

And on a night where we don’t have time, we do the best that we can.  Carl and I understand that it is an honor to have people share their evening with us.  We try our very best never to betray that time and trust buy not being less than expected, or in most cases, even more.

So it went.  In then out.  In and out and in and out and . . .

It was a good night.  And although we were tired from already playing once that afternoon.  We  got through the night, as we usually do; by leaning on patrons to give us the energy we required to get through it.  In fact, our last set, (our fifth hour), was one hour and ten minutes long.  (Not exactly fading away.)

By then, the tides had come back in, and with it the flotsam and jetsam of humanity.  When that door opens next, anyone could come through it. The opportunities are endless really, when you think about it.

It could be an old friend.

It could be our next, best friend. It could be a record producer that has been looking for us for some of these long forty years.

Or, it could be someone so down-and-out that they don’t ever realize how much they need music in their lives again.  Music to lift them back away from the edge of despair.

You really never know what the tides might bring in.

That is why we all love the promise of the tides. . . .

Rb

 

Roseville is quietly, coming into its own.  If you need further proof, I offer the brand spanking new senior center addition at eleven and Gratiot.

A beautiful new facility, and a wonderful old friend.

Mary Grant, whom Carl and I have worked for through the Eastpointe recreation department for nearly thirty years, now has a brand new office in Roseville.

She was a wonderful surprise as Carl and I arrived to entertain the guests from the community after the official ribbon was cut to open the new facility.

After speeches were offered and proclamations were proclaimed, the ribbon gave way to the inpouring of excited friends, family and well-wishers who gathered from far and wide.

While the spotlight was on the new facility and its promise, we did all we could to entertain and give the evening some panache!

We played our signature line-up of musical variety.  Everything from country to pop-rock and Irish were fair game.  We even trotted out our Jimmy Buffett, to the delight of the wide-eyed dignitaries as well as the delighted downtown dwellers.

The time went by fast.  We played for lots of happy folks, and even saw another old friend in attendance.

John Fitzsimmons, best friend of Gary Miller.  (The man who got us in one of our first bands, Superman) was in the house.

It was a very good afternoon.  But it was only an precursor to what lay ahead.  After three hours of playing, it was off to the Three Bind Mice, to do it all again, in just one hour.

It might be tight; but Carl and I love a good challenge.  Better stay tuned to find out if we make it or not . . .

Rb

Carl and I have been playing Great Oaks Country Club for more than twenty years now. We have had some really wonderful/memorable days there. But, none of them compared to this day.

The word perfect, comes about as close to describing this Labor Day as anything I could ever write. But, I will try my best.

Labor Day, this year was the best of the best of the best that either of us can remember. The weather was picturesque for a day by the pool. People were not worried about going back to work. They all seemed relaxed and happy-go-lucky.

We set up in our usual corner by the pool, under our new canopy, right next to the grille.

Nice . . .

The sights, the smells, the music . . .

On this day, each and every element was perfect! Nothing that we could ever do would derail these people from having a wonderful time.

While we did have several members approach us to let us know how much they enjoyed the music, I thought that it was evident that all of the playing we had done recently was making us even tighter, both vocally and musically.

One member was having such a great time that he agreed to sponsor us to stay another hour, until five o’clock!

That is the ultimate tribute to our effort, I must say.

All in all, it was an amazing day by the pool. One that will be to forgotten for a long, long time. On this particular Labor Day, it was not just great, but maybe the greatest oak of all time!

Rb

From the moment that you arrive at Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Twp. Michigan, it becomes quickly apparent that these people are all about having a seriously good time!

If that is a problem, better just get out of their way.  They don’t need amateurs mucking things up.

And so it was on Saturday, September 2, 2015 at 6:00 when the first song dropped.

It was busy, and soon get packed.  A great problem to have. No problem, at all.

We had a great time right from the beginning on Friday night, and pretty much everyone else did as well.

We know by now that boaters are there to have fun.  You would have to really try hard to ruin their party, and we didn’t.

We lit the fire, and they kept throwing more and more fuel on it.  The numbers of people at Bumper’s Swelled by ten o’clock.  All of them smiling and singing and drinking and laughing.  It was a party all right; and somehow, we were partly to blame.

Request after request was rattled off.  And, if for some reason we couldn’t handle it; we sent them to DJ Jimmy-Jam, who hurled it right back in their direction.

Night two of this amazing Labor Day weekend in the books.  And what a book it was turning out to be.

As eleven o’clock approached, we turned the dance floor over to the DJ.  We bumped up the jamz, and DJ Jimmy-Jam took it from there.

Rb

Way back in the 70’s when television began to spotlight Rock N’ Roll artists, there was really no network or show that people could tune into to watch live performances.

Other than the occasional, scripted show, such as The Ed Sullivan, Smother’s Brothers Comedy Hour or even one of the lesser “variety” shows of the day; you never really got to see an artist playing their own music, on their own terms.

Everything that you watched was scripted, choreographed and in some cases lip-synced right down to the word or note.  All of those shows adhered to strict network guidelines when it came to content and creativity.  Some shows were not allowed to broadcast the songs as recorded or even played for fear that the words would be too controversial.

Enter . . . The Midnight Special.

On the Midnight special, things were a lot looser and spontaneous.  Since it was later at night, there was much more artistic freedom granted the artists.  Groups came on because they wanted to showcase their live performance artistry.   It was a great fit at a great time in show business.

That was kind of what it was like, last Friday night at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in mt. Clemens, Mich.

Right int he middle of our first set, the door flew open and in came a big group of revelers, apparently all wound up, with no where to go.

Since something happened at his usual, afternoon gig down at the waterfront in Mt. Clemens, the legendary Adam Alan brought his entire entourage to come see us.

They came from miles around to see him, and since he couldn’t play there, they could watch him play here!

Great fortune for Carl and I.

And, what a night it turned out to be.  Adam sat in again, lending his incomparable skills to each and every song that he played.  Then his friend “Piper” brought out his suitcase full of blues and joined in on the harmonica.  We had seen him before, but not without his trademark bagpipes.

Just when things started to settle down gain, there was a call to have the young lady in their group to sing a few songs.  She was amazing, favoring the salivating audience with some Fleetwood Mac and John Prine selections.

To round out the night, someone even sat it long enough to serenade the “Mice” with his classical and new-age guitar musings.

The night seemed to us just like we were back in the 70’s on the classic variety show, The midnight Special.  Full of excitement, talent and even booze!

What a night to remember.  Hope that it happens again sometime, as the audience enjoyed each and every note.

RB