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Friday night at eight was the unofficial beginning of our summer schedule at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

The days are longer now, and so are the amazing nights. People dine later, and thus the later start. The time might have been an hour later than usual, but to us, the venue was just as comfortable as ever.

The Mice still felt like . . . home.

After taking care of some unforeseen technical difficulties, we had a moment to notice all the new faces at the pub. There might have been some new employees on this night, but the service and attention to the customers was still at the highest level, as usual. We have come to expect no less over the last couple years.

Kicking off our first set allowed us to relax and stretch our musical wings; playing some songs that don’t usually get much attention or coverage. In the right setting, an oft underplayed song can be just the perfect way to connect to patrons who have never experienced us.

To be honest; everything that we do revolves around our music.

It is the reason that we do what we do, after all of these years. Our music is how we communicate to our audience. It conveys so many things that we could not do on our own.

The music is the message, at any show. (You would be surprised at how many big stars forget that fact, later in their careers.). The music brings people together. It “speaks” to them in ways that many times, people cannot.

Our first set was quite enjoyable with lots of energy being drawn from the small but lively crowd. During the second set, we might have set a record for playing requests for a single table. That really makes things fun when the audience is so engaged.

After the first few sets, the crowd lessoned, but eventually picked back up at the end of the night. We met many new friends, (one thing we really enjoy), saw some old ones, and sounded pretty good for two guys that have been away for six weeks.

All in all, our first night back was a success. As always, we hope to build on it, with new music and greater dedication as the summer unfolds.

Rb

Most cities in our wonderful state of Michigan offer their residents free concert series throughout each summer.  Carl and I have been lucky to be a part of many of them.

Several cities have had us entertaining their residents for decades now.  Among them is the fine city of Eastpointe.

We have had a long and storied history of playing in Eastpointe Michigan.  In fact, back in the 80’s when we first started, (with The Boys), we would play in Kennedy Park.

It was a wonderful, warm, family-friendly venue, that was both cozy and eclectic.  The concerts there were more intimate and un-pretentious, as well as fun.  People were, right on top of us as we played.  Casual and friendly people enjoying rock n’ roll as the summer engrained those lazy days into our memories.

In the 90’s, we moved from Kennedy Park, to spindler Park.  A casual, picnic type venue jumped to a more “formal” concert look and feel.  We played on the show-mobile that was provided for us, to a usual crowd of hundreds if not thousands.

Many a wonderful night was spent watching those happy revelers dance and play to the music of both Bob and Carl, as well as The Boys.

We have even given a few concerts at the .  Those were great shows!

There was a time, as the economy tanked, that many cities could not allocate monies for concerts-in-the-park music.  The arts are usually what is cut first.  So for a few years, there was no funding, and no music.

Eastpointe however, has brought back it’s music series, with only the venue changed from years past.

Its a new location, a new vibe and a new opportunity for us.  Once again this year, we have kicked off the concert series with a performance that was partially hampered by the weather.  Since we didn’t even know up until about 30 minutes before we were to play if we were going to be inside or outside, you could only imagine what the concert-goers were thinking.  Although the venue had provided a dry place for us to play inside, we waiting until the final storms moved through, and had a wonderful night.

The storm passed, the lawn chairs popped up, and the Eastpointe Summer Concert Series was off to a flying start!

We hope to be included in the program next year, as it is always a delight to be asked to entertain in Eastpointe.  Watch your summer schedules, and by all means, support the other acts on the calendar.

Rb

 

. . . apparently, no one.

That was the reality last Memorial day at Great Oaks country Club, in Rochester Michigan.

What began as a beautiful day, turned ugly, as the weather often does here in Michigan.  And, it happens very, very quickly.  So quickly in fact; that it barely give us time to stop playing and cover our equipment.  Just one more of the enjoyable aspects of being, “rock stars”.

Right after our second set was finishing, the sky opened up on Carl and I before we could hardly unplug our guitars.  Since we were playing under a canopy, we now had to lung for the tarps that have protected us through many “iffy” shows, since the 80’s.

Grabbing them, holding on tight and saving the expensive gear was our goal.  The good news was that most everything remained unscathed from the torrential down-pour.  Only one guitar was knocked over, and some camera gear was soaked.  All-in-all, no big deal.

So, just like that, the rain pummeled us; and just like that, the sun came back out.

To the credit of most everyone who attended the first big outdoor bash at Great Oaks, everyone stayed to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.  We wiped off our gear and serenaded the crowd with a spirited version of that immortal Creedence anthem: “who’ll Stop The Rain”!

Many members sought us out after the show and thanked us for the great music.  Music to our ears!

Rb

 

 

Every few years, Carl and I have been lucky enough to be asked to travel to Alpena to entertain the local law enforcement community, for their annual ball. This year was the 45th annual affair that culminated at the Alpena Events Complex . . .

Taking our show on the road again this past Saturday had us back in the friendly confines of the Green lantern in Clinton Twp., Michigan.

Since the room was full we began early to the delight of the merry diners who were enjoying their well earned night out.

We started as we usually do on this evening, playing some easy-listening favorites that do more to soothe peoples’ tension and stress more than anything else.  Keeping it quiet and lite, tend to give patrons a chance to adjust to the changing volume and attention levels a bit more easily.

Whereas, blasting out music, (like many other bands tend to), is not really smart when your goal is to gather people, not disperse them.  (although over the years, we have become experts at both).  It can be a very difficult tight-rope to walk some nights, as you need to be energetic and exciting, yet calm and reserved.

Having played a few nights now at this family restaurant, we have chatted with many wonderful people.  They have taken time to let us know how they appreciated our music and musicianship.  Very kind words, indeed.

Beyond that, I need to mention how kind we have been treated by the staff at The Green Lantern.  Outstanding on every level.  At this stage of our careers, we find it very rewarding to have people treat us so kind.  (A thing that has not happened many times over the last 40 years).

Saturday night was a good night at the start, then dwindled as the night evolved.  On the first real warm weekend, it was inevitable that out-door cookouts and barbecue parties would cut into our entertaining.  We will just roll with it, and hope for bigger turnout next time.

Click on the pictures of the many people whom we had the great fortune of spending our night with.  Hope to see them again soon!

Rb

Sometimes you don’t even need to look at a calendar, you can simply feel the seasons changing all around you.

It was just that way on this spring Friday at The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, in downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

Although it was beginning to warm up, it was supposed to still be cold later.  However, on this particular night, no one really cared about, later.  For now, It was warming up, (55 degrees), yet people were slow to arrive at the “Mice”.  As it turned out, they would arrive by the end of the first set, in earnest.

Now that we had them, it was up to Carl and I to entertain them.

As fate would have it, the people that did arrive were a perfect fit for this evening.  Hungry for satisfying food, drink, song and hearty conversation.  Right from the start, those that filled the pub joined in and made a lasting connection with us.  Requests began pouring in, and for some strange reason . . .  we actually knew them!

In the midst of our first set, we noticed some other singers who were visiting the pub on this spring evening.

Kristen, who has sat in with us on another night came by with her mom and friend.  With a little coaxing, Carl and I got her to favor the audience with her powerful rendition of the 4 Non Blondes‘ classic, What’s Up!

After nearly bringing down the house, Kristen gave way to another young lady celebrating her birthday, who also sang a tune with us.  How lucky for us that Motown has so many talented performers willing to jump right in and show everyone what they have at the drop of a hat.

Speaking of great entertainers . . .   Upstairs was also rocking out on this Friday night with Paper Covers Rock filling the big stage.  When Carl and I climbed the stairs to give them a listen, we were happy to see a full bar, a full floor and a crowd that was totally into everything the band was playing.

I have said it before, and it bears repeating . . .  we are so lucky to be able to play at the Three Blind Mice.  Always, always great music on the stages, no matter what day or time you visit.

It slowed a bit at the end of the night, as it got a little colder and temps plummeted.  All-in-all, it was another enjoyable evening.  We were able to meet more new people who were great about giving us important feed-back about our entertaining.  Very good information to know and use.

We shall have to let you know when we are scheduled to be back at the Mice.  Hope it will be soon!

Rb

Yes, it was green.  The Sparties were poised and ready for another amazing run, until those pesky Blue Devils had something to say about it.  That all came to an end pretty quickly last night.  It was however, pretty great that they were there in the first place.

So when the morning came, and Easter finally arrived in Michigan, it was evident that green was no where to be found.  Just more white.  Yes, mother winter was doing all that she could to hold on to her mantle of white if only for one more show of her power.

But while the Spartans learned that they had to wait until next year, our Red Wings showed that they were still a team to be reckoned with.  To no ones’ surprise, when they get good goaltending, they can compete with anyone.

Why am I giving you the morning sports-cast, you might be thinking?  Because just as our music is made up of everything around us, so too are we part of sports in this town.

In Michigan, no matter where you are from, you have a favorite sports team.  Rooting for your team is a birthright that gets you through the tough time; the cold winter nights and the long lazy days of a hot, sweltering summer.

When we entertain, we are part of what is going around us; always.  We take in what the crowd is collectively doing and thinking.  And, when there is a game on, you can feel the tension and nervousness in the air.

People are polite and patient with us, to be sure.  But, they watch the game.  Or, they stay home and have a party with their friends, hoping for a reason to celebrate their team.

Beginning on a Saturday night in Clinton Twp., we began at 8:30, at the Green Lantern Lounge during the second half of the basketball game.  Unfortunately for the Michigan State fans, it was more a beat-down than a benediction.  However, Carl and I were there to feel everyone’s pain.  The crowd was small, but very cordial.  We had many interactions with them.  To our credit, I must say, that we played nearly every request that they could offer.  Many thanks to Nick, Josh and Ashley.  They all took time to make us feel welcome and very much at home.

Even when the game ended, (badly for the green), no one seemed to be attempting to drown their sorrows in evil alcohol.  There were more smiles and laughter.  I think that most people never really expected State to go to the finals; but were appreciative of how well they represented their fans.

We played and they listened.  Even between bites of scrumptious pizza and pasta, patrons were in a great mood.  So when the Red Wing game finished tied and went to over-time, you could see people’s attention focused on their team.  And, when the overtime produced no winner, it was time for a dreaded shoot-out.

With everyone watching the small glowing monitors, like nervous as ex-patriots awaiting the guillotine’s blade; the Wings stood tall at the gates tonight.  In the end, they gave the crowd something to be happy about.

I am writing this to give you a little window into the dynamic that is entertaining.  For no matter what songs we sing, or how perfect we hit the notes; we are merely part of the big picture.  We play music from the sound-track of peoples’ lives.

Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we hit a familiar chord with the working class heroes, with the super-moms, with the family men or the long-suffering sports fans.  Not only with those who listen, but with the patrons who gather together to quell their nervousness by just being around other fans.

Sparty took it on the chin last night, but he will return.  It will be green again.  Though the boys of winter seem ready to make their annual run, the white stuff will be all but a frozen memory come tomorrow.

And as for Carl and I . . .

. . . we will continue to play the songs forever span the decades.  The music that connects our good times and bad.

The green is not gone around here; it is just now awaking to  song.

Rb