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I saw her sitting in the rain
Raindrops falling on her
She didn’t seem to care
She sat there and smiled at me

Then I knew
She could make me happy
Flowers in her hair
Flowers everywhere

The Cowsills

We’ve been pretty lucky this summer where the specter of rain is concerned.

Even after we take in to consideration our last Saturday night at Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Twp, I would ay that we still have gotten off pretty easy.

The rain had been hanging around for about two days, so it was absolutely eminent.  Like I said, we have been very lucky so far.

We have done about forty shows outside since the last time that we were caught in a deluge at Great Oaks, as I recall.

So a little summer shower was in the cards, it would seem.  No reason to postpone the party.  Or, even a night out, for that matter.

Just as we set up, the rain began in earnest.  What began as a fine mist, turned into a strong downpour.

Mother nature would have to do better than that, to dampen the spirits of the stouthearted folk who occupy barstools at Bumper’s, though.

Rain? Please.

They hardly even flinch when it comes to rain.  They simply move away from the mist and continue the party.

So when the first forty minutes of Saturday evenings’ show was spent tending to our valuable tarps, the party was just waiting to burst when the sun eventually poked it’s head back out.

The people, sensing the break a break in the weather, came back, Lilliputian-style as we removed our tarps and shook off the droplets to begin our first song.

There was nothing that the rain could do on this night to scatter the fun, as more and more people pouring into the bar to take part in the newly found revery.

We started fast and hard, with some Creedence Clearwater Revival to dry up what was left of the rain.  Jimmy Buffet was sure to do the tricks was Gordon Lightfoot with his, “Sundown“.

The patio was hopping now.  There were dancers, and singers and well-wishers and wonder; always an amazing place to simply sit and people-watch.

Feeling guilty that we started late, Carl and I more than made up for it, with a long, long first set.  All good.

Thought the clouds were hanging around, most everyone was pretty confident that they would not dampen the party any further.

Every table was full.  every par stool was occupied inside and out, and the patrons were sincerely setting in for the evening.  You could just tell that as long as we were playing, they would be there listening.

So many great people stopped to tell us how much they enjoy the music.  So many gracious friends, made us feel valued.  The staff, though very busy, always seemed to ask us if we needed anything.

The rain might fall, but it can never break up the party at Bumper’s.

Our second set was just about as long as the first, or longer; as we did all that we could to make things right after the slow beginning.

We met many happy people on this Saturday evening, and it really gave us a great feeling about how hard we worked to share our music.  Knowing that we are appreciated goes a long way in giving us the fuel that we need to keep going.

There are many nights just like that.  It is the people that keep us playing. Always, the people.

When something like rain, or wind, or equipment that fails, or computers that break down, or general craziness occurs, we can muddle through; but, it tales its’ toll on us, in the end.

We play for the people.  The fans, the patrons, the friends, relatives, and customers.

We take our catalog of incredible music that has been created by the legends and icons of our generation, and share it with the wonderful people that congregate at our shows.

It is though the music that we are able to share our talents and emotions, to create an atmosphere of fun and relaxation.

Even the rain cannot drown the feeling.

There were birthdays and anniversaries.  Gatherings and celebrations.  There were get-togethers and parties; all within a few feet of each other, and they all shared one common thread: The celebration of life.

The music continued even after the sun went down.  soon, the mosquitoes were out in force, and after that, the fish-flies headed our way.  Even a plague of that magnitude could not keep us from cranking out the tunes to the delighted patrons.

The storm had broken, and out of the rain came an outpouring of happy people.  Always happens around here.

On any given day, or summer for that matter, a little rain must fall.  But it doesn’t have to end the party.  At least, not ever at Bumper’s Landing!

Rb

Boat people got it all.

No, I’m not referring to possessions, fortune or fame.  I’m talking about being happy.

Happy is the one thing that everyone is chasing.  Maybe they just a aren’t looking in the right place, because as far as I can tell, it’s right there, by the water.

I can say that because happy is what we encounter as we roll up to the Tiki bar at Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Township, every time we play.

We look at the people who are already there, and they are happy.  We set up and get ready to play, and they are happy.

We play music, we drink, we people watch, and they are happy.

If it rains . . . happy.

If it snows . . .            well, I’m not sure, but I guarantee they would be out playing in it with big smiles on their faces!

You see a pattern here, at all?

We do.  Boaters are the happiest people we have encountered.  No matter what, they arrive, they enjoy, and the whole time, they are happy.

Carl and I feel that it probably doesn’t matter what we do or play, because, they would still be right where they are, smiling, drinking, laughing, boating.

Its all good, all right.

That is the biggest reason that we love playing at Bumper’s.  Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty more reasons.

The staff is so hard working and dedicated.  They take care of us, and treat us with friendship and respect.  (you don’t always get that.)

The venue has a great vibe for musicians.  For a stage, there is a nice pavilion that is shaded and easily accessible.

The owner treats the help like they are real people.  That is a rarity these days.  He obviously knows the value of hard work, because, you can see him setting up ,tearing down and even busing tables as needed.

When staff people see the big boss working as hard as he does, they will work even harder and longer, since they feel a kinship and appreciation.

So with that “happy” mentality, we began our musical journey on Saturday afternoon at six O’clock, by the water.

It was busy, and about to get really busy.  That suits us just fine, as the music got increasingly faster, livelier and more personal.

The crowd was all-in as they beer-lifted the boaters up a wave to another whole elevation.

Out came the hula-hoop accompanied by more and more dancers.  People were everywhere.  The outside as well as the inside was packed with more and more happy revelers.

We try and play to our audience, as the evening progresses.  We played for more than five hours and really only took three breaks.  That is how much fun we were having!

Just when you think that it can’t be any better at Bumper’s, it proves us wrong!

The boaters bring out the best in us, as was we try to desperately keep up.  We can bring the music all right; the smiles are on them.

And, the Happy is free for everyone to share.

Rb

Sometimes, even in this business, everything can go right.

It doesn’t happen very often, mind you, but occasionally, it does happen.

Just such an occurrence came to pass this past Saturday afternoon, as we arrived at Bumper’s Landing, in Harrison Twp.  We thought that it might be a little cool and cloudy, as the weather had been “bumpy” most of the day.

As you already know, the weather in Michigan is an iffy proposition on most days, but in the summer, when its hot, hot, hot, a storm could manifest itself almost instantaneously.

On Saturday afternoon, although not in danger of storming, the air was cool and a little disenchanting, if I was a boater. (Which, sadly I am not).

It seemed like the type of day that could go either way in an moment.  However, when Carl and I arrived to set up, the wind stood down and the sun came out to bless everyone.

The boaters were already in place doing what boaters do: enjoying each and every shred of each moment.

After a smooth set-up, Carl and I gathered ourselves for the first set; still aching and tired from yesterdays’ long evening of playing.  We thought that maybe we would put it on auto-pilot and let the music do the rest.

Nope.

Right from the very first song the audience was engaged and empowered.  They directed us to play song after song of each and every genre possible.

That was fine as well.  You know how we love to be requested.

So the music was flowing, the wonderful staff of amazing waiters and waitresses, did all that they could to bring us liquid refreshments and encouragement.

The afternoon was settling in to an almost picture-perfect setting all around.

People poured into Bumper’s faster than we could even imagine.  That’s fine by us, we would love to entertain them all.  Smiles were everwhere.

Patrons wanted to request songs, shake hands, take pictures with us.  It was so much fun that we didn’t want it to end.

Inside was crowded, outside was packed and the boats were still coming in!

Dogs, dresses, cover-ups, hats, beer, nachos and sunglasses ruled the dock-side.

Before we even knew it, we were into our last set under the watchful eye of Mr. Moonlight.

“It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday 
And the manager gives me a smile 
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been comin’ to see 
To forget about life for a while “

Billy Joel

Sometimes, its hard to describe any singular show that we perform.  There are always things that stand out about any gig we entertain at; and this one was no exception.

What we’ll remember about this particular Saturday night, is simply how each and every phase of it was absoloutly perfect.  The people, the night, the music, all as good as it gets.

When people ask us how we enjoy being “Rock Stars”, we always laugh.  However, sometimes, when everything is perfection, it feels pretty damned good!

Rb

Being a member of an country club has got to be a pretty great feeling.

Being with good friends and all-around wonderful people in an idyllic setting to play the challenging pastime of golf; pretty amazing.

Well, Carl and I are not members of Gowanie Country Club in Mount Clemens, but we did get the opportunity to entertain some of their members last Friday evening.

I think that all in all, it was a very enjoyable evening for everyone involved.

After a leisurely set-up, Carl and I settled in for a smooth afternoon of playing.  It was our first show at this venue in a couple years, and the very first engagement to entertain their membership.

If Fridays’ event was any gauge of what to expect, I certainly hope that we will be back in a bigger capacity.  The members that we chatted with during our breaks and even during our performance thoroughly enjoyed what they heard.

The music seemed right in their sweet-spot, as we played request after request to the delight of the group.

The food, drink and music all seemed to be the perfect formula on this wonderful summer evening.

There were lots of clouds and storms for regular people in Macomb County, but none for the members of Gowanie.  As the wind and clouds raced past us, we became nervous of what might happen to the picturesque evening; but quickly dismissed it as weatherman’ folly.

The only thing that tried to dampen an otherwise perfect setting were the suddenly ravenous mosquitoes.

Although they drove the members inside to the bar for our last half hour of the night; they couldn’t stop the show.

Carl and I just grabbed our acoustic guitars, and followed the people inside for an impromptu serenade by the bar!

What fun!

We are coming back again to Gowanie, and will be looking forward to it with great fervor.

It was a great night.  Thanks to everyone who made us feel like, members for the night!

Rb

If you know anything about our summer gigs for the last, say, thirty years, you will know that Carl and I have played each and every Memorial Day – Fourth of July – Labor Day at The Great Oaks Golf and Country Club, in Rochester Michigan.

Its been pretty close to thirty years now that we have been asked back there on those dates, and we have enjoyed it immensely.

This year, for the fourth, Great Oaks, went with a DJ.  (Thats music entertainment jargon for a Disk Jockey).  (Now, don’t ask me what a “disk” is, because I simply don’t remember!)

Anyway, since we were no longer scheduled to work at the Oaks, we thought that we would take the good people at Bumper’s Landing up on their invitation to stop by there for the 4th and entertain.

They are so very good to us at Bumper’s Landing, we hardly can refuse anything they ask us to do.

On this particular fourth, we needed to begin at 4:00 Pm.  They thought that maybe we could stretch out the day, to give people even more time to enjoy the entertainment.  (even though, the entertainment, was US!)

We set up in the cool of the music pavilion, after some nice guests were so kind to let us displace them.

At four, the music did begin, appropriately enough with some Jimmy Buffet.  Once began, we could hardly slow down at all; with Buffet, Lightfoot, Morrison and company, close behind.

When we eventually did take a break, we connected with several really nice people who made their requests important to us.

By now, you know how much we enjoy playing patrons’ requests.  Well, its safe to say, that it’s a LOT!

Once into the mid part of the second set, we noticed an entire group of fans from Great Oaks, had gone on a “Field trip”, to come see us.

How cool is that?

They said that the DJ, was not quite their cup of tea; so they packed up the kids and grabbed the ladies and headed to Mount Clemens, to catch us live.

That really says a great deal about some wonderful people, and it bit about how much people appreciate how hard we work to entertain.

Five O’Clock soon turned into six, and then seven and song after song, and request after request.  Carl and I tried to make America proud, by evoking what we all love about our great land through interpretive song.

There sure is a lot to like about being free in America; no matter how disgruntled people may be these days.

Boaters sure have an amazing time.  They gather and drink, and smile and laugh and poke fun, and request and occasionally fall in the lake.

Oh well, it happens!

We are really enjoying playing at Bumper’s this summer.  By the calendar, it will  be year three for us; but it seems all new since the re-model.  So many people have told us how they love all the hard work that the owner and staff have put into making this venue the best place not he water to have fun.

The people were all having a wonderful time, right up until 9:30 when we called it a musical day.

We will return Saturday afternoon to pick up right where we left off, hopefully.

We know we will work hard.  We know that the boaters will be smiling and partying.  We know that things will go on that we might see, but not understand.

We know all of these things; and a little more each time we play.

We know that we missed the Great Oaks this 4th of July, but will return there in September.

That being said, we also know that being at Bumper’s for this years’ independence day was en event we won’t soon forget.

God Bless America!

Rb

On the night of our return to the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in elusive downtown Mount Clemens, it was evident just how comfortable we had become there.

Since we first began playing in the fall of 2013, we have become quite accustomed to our place near the big kegs on the bottom floor of the “Mice”.

So comfortable that is, that when we arrive to set up, and there are tables of people that we need to politely move a few feet so we can make room for our electronic apparatus, it hardly bothers us at all.

Ok, it still bothers us. (we really hate to disrupt anyone from there enjoyable evening).

But, we do it.

We have been playing there so long, we know just about every nook and cranny in the place.  (Oh, there’s lots of them).

We know the acoustics, the size of the room, the amount of people that will heckle us.  Yes, we know what’s going on and what could possibly go wrong.

We even know which bathroom is for ladies, and which one if for the gentleman.  (And, we spend a great deal of our time directing people that don’t in the correct direction.)

SO, after moving some nice people a few feet to get the night rolling, we had the great fortune to pick just the right songs to make them happy enough to hang around for a while.

I say, “just the right song”, because, sometimes the music lures people in.  If we do it right, the music, grabs them, holds them and keeps them “hostage”, (in a good way), until they don’t even realize the night is drawing close.

Sometimes.

On this night, everything seemed to go as planned.  We know the crowd by now, we know the acoustics, the beer and liquor selections.  We know the staff, the food, the entrance and exits, (should there be a scuffle).  We know just about everything about playing the Mice, by now.

We are comfortable there.  And, with good reason.  It’s a great place to unwind and listen to some good music.  Well, there are a lot of great entertainers there.  Very talented, as a matter of fact, on the nights we’re not there!

This Friday, as I mentioned, we settled in and really spent some time with the people at the tables close at hand.

There were two couples there that we have known and entertained before, and a couple tables of folks that we have just met.

We love both; meeting new people that enjoy are music and effort, and people who come back because of us.

The very best part of our night is having people who request all the music that we love to play.  On this night, it was just that way for us.

They asked for a song or artist, and we offered them our very best version of something resembling it.

Nothing could have been better.  That will make an entertainer comfortable, right away.

After those people departed, the younger crowd arrived.  They all sat a one huge table and had a great time chatting amongst themselves about whatever was important to them.

We filled in background music, and enjoyed ourselves until it was 1:00 am.

Another great night at the Mouse.

Another fun time.

Another memorable, comfortable gig, in the lives of two, hard-working rock stars!

Rb

Our experience at Bumper’s Landing, in Harrison Township. was pretty much what we have come to expect by now: Wild!

Most of our nights could be described as such over the past few seasons.  We show up, set up and then try and hang on for dear life, as the evening unfolds around us.

Bumper’s as I have said many times by now, is full of boaters. And, boaters are there for one thing; fun!

They have fun no matter what they are doing.  They chat, they drink, they eat, they do whatever they do, pretty much all night and day.  We are simply there to play the sound-track to their unwavering happiness.

Last Saturday, it all began with a wedding.  Well, not exactly a wedding; but the wedding party.  And party they did.  We could hardly even load our equipment in from the throng of guests, in the midst of celebration.

Happy people, drinking and enjoying.  That is what we have come to expect by now at Bumper’s.

We began fast, right out of the gate.

Blasting them with the Buffett – (the raining God celebrating boaters), and other island party hits, right between their eyes.  It must have been the right formula, because their response was just what we thought it would be: euphoria.

The problems we had experienced with our equipment last week were all but eliminated at this point.  That left us with a much easier and relaxing time to enjoy for ourselves.

It gave us an opportunity to mingle a bit more.  To chat with some new friends and get better acquainted with others.

During our breaks, Carl and I try our best to listen to our audience.  To hear what they enjoy about the show; and hope that we might include in our next set.

Since our first set was so lengthy and up-tempo, we thought that we would follow it up with a second set that was more laid-back and introspective.

Nope, that wasn’t in the cards.  We just cranked it up even further, until they broke out the hula-hoops!

Not really sure what that meant, but they did it.  Having their own little hula contest near the water.

Hula-hoops gave way to dancing, and dancing was all being hosted by a little guy in a cowboy hat doing his best Kenny Chesney impression.  He directed and enterpretated each and every song that we shared with the audience.

He was animated, he was interesting and he was fun.

All the things that we prize in an entertainer.  As long as we didn’t have to split our pay with him, we really didn’t care what he did.  When he took a tumble off the cement, everyone gasped; but only for a second.  He popped right back up and continued on with the show!

That was pretty much an microcosm of our entire night.  No matter what happens at Bumper’s, you just keep plodding along.

It’s all fun, it’s all good.

This particular night ran full-tilt from beginning to end at break-beak speed.  All that we could do was to hold on for dear life.

Eventually, it was dark, and time to play the last song.  No one complains, no one yells.  They simply smile and go inside for more partying.

Ahh, to be one of those happy people.  To be a  . . . boater!

Rb

People love to celebrate things.  It is one of the most American traditions that we hold dear.  Americans have been celebrating themselves and the ideals that they embrace since America was established.

Great things remain.  Great things always will.  That is what makes them great.  They are great because they are strong and good and right.  People can find part of what those celebrations embody in each one of us.

Carl and I helped pass on a little of what makes America great last Friday in the friendly city of Centerline, as we did our salute to the great classic country songs that helped build the modern age of popular music.

We opened the day of music on the big stage-in-the-park at 1:00, to a small but delighted audience of country music lovers.

The hospitality of Centerline seemingly knows no bounds, as the staff and even the mayor himself take personal control of the welcoming atmosphere, as soon as you arrive.

They put on a first-class event, that is growing by leaps and bounds since it’s inception. All designed to showcase the friendly-fun setting that can be enjoyed 365 days a year, not just on a perfect summer day.

The show began right on time, or even a bit early; as Carl and I dressed as a cowboy and a “Dandy”, couldn’t wait to start the show and the day for that matter.

We were only doing two hours, so we had to get all of those great country hits out as quick as we possibly could.

We played, Hank, and Glenn and Willy.  We played The Eagles, The Outlaws and Bocephus.  We did new, we did old and we did classic country  to the delight of the gathering crowd.  They tapped their feet wiggled and sang along; so we know that they were enjoying it.

After we finished, there was square dancing.  Talk about people that enjoyed what they were doing!  Aleman, left, aleman right.  Salute your corner, parade your partner.  Stay out of the goo!

The goo?

Well, maybe someday we’ll find out what that really means.

As soon as they finished, it was time for the mayor and staff to shoot a few T-Shirts into the crowd before the next band hit the stage.

Up next: the Cadillac Cowboys; a local Michigan country tradition for years now.  They played all the dancing favorites that the crowd seemed to thrive on, as we loaded our gear into the van and headed out to Bumper’s to continue the fun day of music.

Centerline is one of these shows that you circle on the calendar and truly look forward to before summer even arrives.

We sure hope to be included in the line-up next year.  Maybe it won’t be country music; but that’s ok.  We can play ’em all!

Rb

If you find yourself on a warm summer evening in lovely Eastpointe Michigan, what should you do?

Head over to the Civic Center and enjoy one of the fine concerts.  It doesn’t have to be one that Carl and I play; any of them really.

Why not?

After all music is one of the most universal ways of communicating.  Feelings of excitement, happiness, loneliness and joy can all be gathered and written into a song.

With the right melody, any emotion can be expressed and communicated in music.

Time has the ability to stand still during a song as well.  How many songs do we hear, and know the exact time and place we were when we first heard them?

Music that has the ability to awaken many other pent-up emotions we felt forever lost as well.

All these things await us when we hear live music.

Music is one of the great gathering tools we have as an society.  It draws people together from all walks of life to revel in a common unity.

Music crosses all boundaries and socioeconomic barriers to reach deep inside us and bond us forever.

And in another way, music, while being extremly inclusive, can also be fiercely personal.

There are also melodies that many diverse ethnic groups hold passionatly as their own.  A hold-back to many years of cultural values and heritage.  Those cherished feelings and traditions are then woven into a tapestry called music and shared in song.

This is the great power of music.

Music has the potency and ability to move people to think and feel in ways they never thought possible.  To tell stories, to communicate feelings and passions that while being extremely personal, can be so utterly common that they give us a shared belief and ideology.

Music can lift us while at the same time move us to tears.

Music can mean a thousand different things to a million ears, all listening to the same one melody.

It was that wonder that I experienced, first on a late Sunday evening in 1964, when Ed Sullivan introduced The Beatles for the first time to an American audience.

And then again in 1970, when I saw Woodstock at the Jewel theatre in downtown Mount Clemens.

As I watched and listened to artist after artist singing/communicating their passions and feelings to over 400,000 people who were moved as one, I suddenly and forever knew what I wanted to do with my life.

Now, I’m not for a moment comparing our little concert this past Wednesday to Woodstock, or the Beatles . . . I’m just saying, that it doesn’t matter who the artist is; it is the music that is the star.  (A concept that so many divas seems to forget).

Music is what gets people out.  It gathers them together in ways they might not even realize.

Music is the reason.

What I am saying, is that it really doesn’t matter who is playing, come out and listen.  You will be so glad you did.

On this Wednesday night we were booked to play oldies and classic top forty music.  We played songs by the Temptations, Jimmy Buffet, Garth Brooks Bob Marley and Looking Glass.

We chatted with the audience and tried to get all of their favorite requests played.

This year, there were comedians joining us as well.

One opened the show, one played during a rare intermission and another closed.  It was a brave experiment by the people at Eastpointe and one that might blossom into an annual format.

The evening flew by, as it always does.  Soon we are packed up and on our way to another concert.

Maybe just maybe, we inspired someone in the audience to pick up a guitar or harmonica and carry the musical torch of song that was handed to us, by the Beatles on that February evening so long ago.

Jus maybe . . .

Rb