October 2017

No, its not Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

Just one of those nights when Carl and I have free rain to do whatever we choose.

Sometimes things just work out that way.  Saturday was just such a night at Bumper’s Landing.  With a combination of the cooler weather and the calendar, it was apparent that it was going to be a slower night, in a place where we usually are holding on for dear life.

With the Halloween parties in full gory all around town, it was very clear that the crowd would be much more intimate tonight.  Sometimes, that is great fun; and tonight was going to be just one of those nights.

We were dressed as cowboys, and took that cue to begin the night with a big dose of country music.  After playing a few sample songs, we noticed that the music was just perfect for this night.  Each and every person on hand was singing along with the tunes that poured out of us.

It was kind of fun to be able to play any type of music that we wished.  Country turned to pop, and then different oldies that we haven’t played for many years.

Before we knew it, we were simply playing music for ourselves.  Music that made us happy.

Songs like the theme from The Urban Cowboy.  Rollin the Thompson Gunner and some eclectic songs by Tom Petty.  We played lots and lots of songs that we never have gotten to play for a long while.  Not because they weren’t good songs; but because normally we need to play music from a certain genre, just to make everyone happy.

It was fun to do music for ourselves for a change.  We played song after song of odd, unusual music.  Songs that didn’t necessarily fit into any one category.

I think that the patrons there that night really were enchanted with some of the music that we were sharing.  It was just as much fun for them as it was for us.

Chances are the the next week at Bumper’s, we will be back to business as usual.  Island music-boater fun.  We love that too.

Just fun, every once in a while to be able to just play the music that we never get to share.

We will see.  The only thing that we know for sure about Bumper’s, is that we never know anything for sure.

Rb

 

It’s always exciting to be asked to entertain at a new venue.  Last Friday, Carl and I had the good fortune to play at Steiny’s Restaruant & Banquet hall, in beautiful Shelby Michigan.

It was  a different experience altogether to play at a restaurant that is not usually designed to showcase entertainment.  What I mean by that, is that Steiny’s is primarily a place that people go to when they are either hungry or thirsty.  Music is an added bonus.

Everyone there was nice to us; (something that makes any situation better.)  It also helps us in our struggle to move in and sort out our set up for the very first time.

I know it an musician thing, but It is important for us to be comfortable, before we can even think about entertaining someone.

One nice thing about our very first night in this new location, was having good friends there to make us feel at home.

Smiling faces always help, no matter what.

Before we knew it, we were off and playing our first set.  We did our best to sprinkle a flavor of what we do best, right from the start.  I guess that way, if they didn’t like us, they would know right away. Lol,

The first set was an interesting one for us.  The room sounded good.  (Something that we always evaluate in our minds.)  They music seemed to be appreciated by the patrons and the regulars.  It seemed to go over well.

We chatted with people between the first set, and they seemed pleased with the music.  That helps too.

It was a short one, to be sure.  We were only there for three sets.  All that meant was that we would have to pack lots and lots of great music, into pretty much, two long doses.

We were able to accomplish our goal, I believe.  We made a good connection with he audience, from what we could gather.

There were lots of applause when we finished our songs.  I seemed like a positive experience for everyone.

Only time will tell if we come back to visit, down the road.

It was a nice restaurant, with a very friendly staff.  We hope that they prosper in the future, wether we are a part of the experience or not.

Rb

Saturday nights at Bumper’s Landing can be a little scary at times, but tonight was downright frightening!

It was the fourth annual Bumper’s Landing Halloween party, and it was everything you would expect, and a little bit more.

First of all, they spared no expense on decorations and spooky atmosphere, as the new bar was all decked out in superb Halloween kitsch.

Fun was in the air, as you could almost anticipate the ghoulish grooves that would permeate the evening chaos.  Bumper’s was ready and waiting for each unsuspecting customer to come by and show off.

Once inside, they took full advantage of every opportunity to let loose their inner spirit.

Everyone wanted a snap-shot near the cranium ice sculpture.  The perfect “Elixir” for a Halloween party-to-remember.

The deck also was all “decked-out”, with a huge tent and heaters, to keep the chill away from the customers.

It was a big crowd.  Everyone was excited, as the sun went down and the creepers came out in full force.

There were cops and bad guys.  Cow-pokes and bad girls.  Creepy zombies, spooky bees and even a joker or two.

One by one they crawled through the door, to take refuge from the night air.  One by one they fell under our spell as the music grabbed them and commanded them to dance!

Smiles were everywhere, as the costumes were paraded by for maximum effect.  Carl and I were asked to judge all the spooky attire and award prizes for the best-of-the-best.

There were lots to pick from, so we needed to examine them all carefully during our breaks.  (Too bad that the Bumper’s staff were not eligible, ’cause they certainly would have given the customers a run for their money.)

Right from the very first song, we thought that we would sprinkled the Halloween favorites to distill just the right elixir that would make the party howl at the moon.

It worked.  There were revelers crawling, hopping and creeping everywhere you looked.  It seemed that our spell was unbreakable.

Only past the hour of two did it release them to crawl back into their own humble abodes.

A party of this size and magnitude does not happen by itself.  We need to make sure that the amazing staff at Bumper’s knows how much they are appreciated.

They worked so long and hard, and never stoped until the last demons were exorcised for the night.

Rb

 

 

It was to be our fourth show at Jimmy John’s Filed in lovely downtown Utica Michigan.  Not even the rain could derail this fun night.

Nor, did it ever.

Though it was raining when we arrived, (and for days earlier), it could do nothing to dampen the spirits of the hearty sports and craft-beer fans in attendance.

Jimmy John’s Field, as you know does something different for the fans, on every given night during the summer.  You never know what will occupy the space between innings and after the game.  You just know that it will be fun.

That was our mission on this night: Bring music to the masses who showed up to throw a frisbee, swat a Whiffle-Ball, or enjoy a craft beer.

Our arrival had us hustling to get our gear to the stage with as little water in our ears as we could manage.

It nearly worked, as the unrelenting deluge did its best to chase us back to the friendly confines or the Bob and Carl mobile.

It didn’t stop us though; and once set up, we began playing with will abandon.

Our sound echoed throughout the stands as the PA carried each and every note to the happy patrons.

There weren’t many, to be honest: but those in attendance were hearty and happy.

They played game after game of disk golf, and drank beer after beer of the craftiest beer anyone could hope for at a ball-park.

It was a memorable night, to be sure.

While the rain never abated, we finally reached the end of our evening.  Before we knew it, we had accomplished everything we set out to do: bring our unique brand of entertainment to the heartiest sports fans, this side of the Mississippi.

Rb