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St. Paddy’s Night

We had begun on Friday at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub: A seven performance weekend of Irish songs and entertainment. It was only fitting that we should end there as well.
Tired but upbeat, we set up around 6:00, and began our last five hours of Irish hits. To say that the crowd was “into it” was an understatement. After all, it was the very first St. Patrick’s celebration for the newest Irish Pub in the state. To say that they held anything back would be a lie. There was a series of tents and bands outside, ALL weekend, as well as a plethora of DJ’s upstairs, spinning the vinyl. We were lucky enough to catch a song or two from the wild Bill Grogan’s Goat. Downstairs we held court in our home-away-from-home in front of the whiskey barrels.

For this engagement, we even used a different instrumentation: We went electric, using the drum machine and the bass pedals. It was the best way to conserve some very needed energy after four straight days and 18 hours of playing.

All went well as the very first St. Paddy’s at the Mice was a huge success. Only problem they will have now, is how to top it next year!

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Clancy’s song

Back at Clancy’s Irish Pub by 1:00, and the crowd had swollen in both size and strength. Cole Cannon, a three piece group was keeping them at bay until we returned, and now was the time to finish what we began on Saturday night.

However, as we played our first of four more sets at the pub, there was much more entertainment ahead for the thirsty revelers.

A young man wowed the patrons with his Modern Manipulations, fire performance. Juggling and otherwise consorting with two frisky fireballs on a leash, as it were. Amazing!

We played another set. And, just like that, there was more entertainment to be had; as the Emerald Isle Dance Society presented a performance by the Goggin-Carroll school of Irish dance. They have danced for several years now on St. Paddy’s day at Clancy’s. Its almost like we have watched a few of the kids grow up right before our eyes. They just get better and better. And now we hear that they have world champion dancers in their group!

After playing our last set; we bid fare-well to Clancy’s. But not before we heard the mournful sounds of some deftly played bagpipes. A fitting end to our time there.

We finished playing, said good-bye to the green eyed partiers and packed our gear up so that we could embark on the last leg of our St. Patrick’s weekend . . .

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Live In The D

At 10:00 on St. Paddy’s day, Carl and I entered the WDIV Channel 4 studios in Detroit, Michigan to be featured on their Live In The D telecast with Karen Drew and Guy Gordon. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences that we have shared in our long careers; and not because of where we were, or what we were doing; but because of the kindness and energy of the entire cast and crew of the show. When I say that Guy and Karen could not have been nicer to us, that is without any exaggeration at all. Not only them, but the entire crew welcomed us and made us feel like valuable contributors on the broadcast. We can’t say that it was easy; I suppose that LIVE television never has been, but it WAS exhilarating! Carl wore an ear-piece so that the producer could give him momentary cues as to what they wanted and when. We never knew if the short musical “bumper” they needed would have vocals or be only instrumental. That fact, and the length of the show content, kept us on our toes throughout the entire sixty minutes. When we finished, and the last Irish sing-a-long was wrapped; we received high praise from the everyone on the show. They seemed to all be very appreciative of the job we did; as we were of them. Many thanks to Karen, Guy, Jay, Randy, Kevin and Laurie. We can’t say enough good things about working with Channel 4. We hope that we get another opportunity to work with them down the road . . .

Enjoy this panorama of the WDIV Live In The D set.

IMG_0868 IMG_0869 IMG_0870 IMG_0871 IMG_0872 IMG_0873 IMG_0874 IMG_0875 If you saw the telecast, please leave us a comment and tell us what you thought . . . Rb

St. Patrick’s Day Begins

IMG_0860 IMG_0862 IMG_0863 IMG_0865 IMG_0866 IMG_0867The big day began for us at Clancy’s, to the delight of those hearty, early-morning revelers. 7:30 Am, and the Irish pub was already pulsing with green delight. They came dressed in every possible way of expressing their Irish flair. Glowing, pulsing glasses. Huge hats, skirts and swag of all description. The music began and so did the sing-alongs.
Our day started at an easy pace. Everyone content to ease into the holiday, while sharing, a song, an adult beverage and some people watching.

We played, from 7:30 until about 9:10. It was then that we moved our equipment out of the way, so that another band could entertain the growing crowd. Cole Cannon took the stage so that we could exit for the next part of our huge day . . . .

Whiskey On A Sunday?

IMG_0856 IMG_0857 IMG_0858 IMG_0859Nothing says a Sunday, Bob and Carl, Irish show like a wee pull at the whiskey jar. Something about Irish music just makes it taste that much sweeter. (Not the music, the whiskey!)
Back again for another show at Clancy’s Irish Pub. Playing from 5:00 to 8:00 Pm on a Sunday was a perfect way to ease into the big day for real. People showed up to support us, as sometimes we can get a little “tired” halfway through the weekend. Not tonight, as every note was met with great delight and enjoyment.

Clancy’s, Saturday Night

Our huge St. Paddy’s weekend took right off where we left it on Friday, when Carl and I re-convened the show at Clancy’s Irish Pub in Clinton Twp. Clancy’s Irish Pub is where we have played on St. Patrick’s Day, morning for over ten years now. We generally start around 7, and play until 2 Pm. This year, since St. Pat’s is on a Monday, pretty much, the entire weekend will be a party. So here we are on Saturday, plugging along with our second show.

The crowd was very pleasant throughout the entire show; with plenty of requests and applause, to follow each Irish tune we offered. All in all, we had a very good time; meeting new people that will hopefully be fans we shall have the honor of entertaining for years to come.

St. Paddy’s Weekend Begins!

St. Paddy’s weekend, 2014 has officially begun!

There is no stopping the happy revelers so far, as this cruel winter seems to be finally letting up. Fans were out in good numbers, as the “Wearin’ O’ The Green!” kicked off on Friday with our show at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

People were already in the Celtic spirit as we shared another of those incredible nights we have almost come to expect at the “jewel of Mt. Clemens”, the Three Blind Mice.

Everyone was singing and cheering to nearly every Irish tune we would play, as our long Irish weekend clicked into full gear. Still Rain held court upstairs, as we entertained downstairs. This lucky patrons who shared their evening with us, got a chance to enjoy both types of music.

So, it’s on to Saturday, as the Irish music really takes hold of us!

The Flip Side

So last weekend, Carl and I not only performed Friday night at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, but Saturday too!

Yes, it was STILL winter, but we did all that we could to bring on the heat. To begin each set of the night, we changed into a different Hawaiian shirt. Portraying musical images of warm tropical beaches and moon-lit lagoons, as we shrugged off the cold wintry night. Enough is enough! Everyone is tired of this Polar Vortex, not to mention the unrelenting snowfall. All I can say, is that we did our part. We brought the summer, in almost every song that we played; and, the people responded with a cheer, a shot and a chorus!

We also met a great new star of the Three Blind Mice’s Tuesday night acoustic line-up. Kevin Covert. Great voice, great stage presence and a true connection with his audience. While he was playing, his guitar, for a moment went silent, and neither he nor the people missed a beat. A true pro!IMG_0741

Then came Saturday night, and while still cold, and STILL snowing, we walked in to a packed house of happy, snuggled revelers. We can’t say enough of how wonderful it is to have the opportunity to play every night to a full house of people actually there to ENJOY live music. What a concept!

Upstairs on the main stage was a band called The Laughing Madmen. After listening to them for only a moment, you are rewarded with an earful of crazy-electric infectious musical mayhem. The crowed enjoy every song-bite, as they danced, drank and pumped their fists to the epic night’s musical crescendo!

So, it WAS cold, it WAS snowy; but just like the outside; the INSIDE was unrelentingly warm, musical and hot! We’re off next weekend; but we will see you soon, on The Flip Side!

You Say Its Your Birthday

What a compliment it is, when a group of revelers wanted to spend their special night with us, being entertained at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub. You only get one birthday a year, and to want to share it with us is a wonderful compliment, to be sure. Once again on Friday night, we met some fun people who brought the night alive with their smiles and laughter. We can play many styles of music, but being able to blend all of them together in an atmosphere that compliments ever note is truly a blessing. It was so much fun to meet Rebecca and her friends, along with Sara and her party, as the night evolved into a birthday bash that hopefully will provide them warm memories for some time.

As is our good fortune, we also got to share this special night with a great band upstairs in Ban shee! They entertained on the big stage to the delight of many a lucky patron.

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BOB AND CARL