Blog

Sometimes throughout the year, I sit and think about a few of our favorite events that are on the musical horizon. Those events are some of our favorites that we have warm memories of.

One that always comes to mind in August is The Shelby Art Fair.

Nestled in the woods, with the smell of roasted sugar almonds wafting on the Breese. Mmmmmm…
I bet you would love to be right there with us next time. The sights, the sounds the smells; all bring back fond memories of good times to savor.

Although we only spend an hour or two playing music, the entire day is our focus during this event. Just getting there and soaking everything in is something we think about all through the year. I only hope that you had the good fortune to come out and share the day with us.

Of course we were lucky enough to be able to entertain at Bumper’s and The Tavern this August, but the most notable events were playing Depot Park in Clarkston, as well as hanging out with old friends during those fun gigs.

I even had the chance of meeting Fred Mascherino from the band, Taking Back Sunday. We were both hanging out at Huber & Breese Music in Fraser Michigan, when we started a musical conversation that ended in introductions. Great guitar Player, even greater guy!

Rb

Sometimes you have to hit the ground running, and 2025 was a perfect example.  Carl and I began our spring like it was already summer.  You know how the folks in Michigan are; they can’t get enough of the sun.  Can you blame them?

We began our May dates in all the old familiar places.  Being lucky enough to play at Taylor’s Beach family Campsite, as well as at Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Township.

At this point, both venues are like home to us; comfortable, enjoyable and always exciting.  As much as Carl and I enjoy venturing out into uncharted territory, we both enjoy the comfortable familiarity of places where we know the staff and most of the regular customers.  

Another spring, another summer.  We are lucky to be doing what we do, wherever and when ever we do it!

Rb

This July was beautiful. Sunny and hot and everything you could enjoy about a beautiful Michigan summer. Carl and I enjoyed many wonderful events where we were fortunate enough to entertain so many smiling, happy faces.

That being said, there were a couple gigs where things went quick. But I digress.

July began wonderfully enough. Beautiful weather, great friends and lots and lots of adult beverages to keep the hot temps at bay. Actually everything went according to plan. Until I had my shoulder reconstruction surgery, that is.

It was going all according to plan. Have the surgery, and they eight days later, entertain three nights in a row, beginning with our annual visit to Jimmy John’s Field, in Shelby Twp. All according to plan. UNTIL the torrential downpour left us in a deluge that we will never forget. Watching $50,000 of musical equipment being swept up in a hurricane is hard enough; but then having it happen for the next two days in a row is even more fun! Eventually we dried everything out and only lost a couple keys on the keyboard for our troubles.

The very next week I was off to Nashville to record one of my songs at Dark Horse Studios. I had a very interesting time, and learned a lot about what to do and what NOT to do for next time. The icing not he cake was being greeted at the airport by another Native Detroit, Mr. Jack White.

All in all, you can say we will never forget this July, for a number of reasons.

Rb

As you may or may not know, Carl and I officially began our professional music careers in the summer of 1972, playing in the horn section of the legendary Mount Clemens Michigan band, Miles Of Smiles.

We were asked by some local musicians if we would fill in the band for this summer gig, now infamously known as simply, “Cody’s Party”. Aptly named for the house that we played outside at; Mayor Quinn Cody, and his family.  Although it was fifty years ago, I still remember it like it was yesterday.  It was our first outdoor rock concert, and far from our last.  It was legendary all right, getting its legendary status from the fact that there was a huge crowd that eventually got out of hand. Oh, and the police DID in fact arrive to arrest people.  Ahhhh, good times!

Well, you might wonder where I was going with this story.  About the same time that Carl and I were learning about all the fun and futility of becoming “Rock Stars”, there was a couple other guys that were just opening a music store business in Fraser.  Paul Huber and Terry Breese, a guitar player and drummer were to open, Huber & Breese music that very same year.  

Sometime within the very first few years that their business was open, we ventured in and struck up a friendship that has also lasted over fifty years.  We have bought countless guitars and such from Paul, and even get out and relax on the golf course from time to time.  Paul, Carl, my self and Paul’s son Hans, who now runs the store.  Nothing better than life-long friends.

Rb

Sometimes you have to hit the ground running, and 2025 was a perfect example.  Carl and I began our spring like it was already summer.  You know how the folks in Michigan are; they can’t get enough of the sun.  Can you blame them?

We began our May dates in all the old familiar places.  Being lucky enough to play at Taylor’s Beach family Campsite, as well as at Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Township.

At this point, both venues are like home to us; comfortable, enjoyable and always exciting.  As much as Carl and I enjoy venturing out into uncharted territory, we both enjoy the comfortable familiarity of places where we know the staff and most of the regular customers.  

Another spring, another summer.  We are lucky to be doing what we do, wherever and when ever we do it!

Rb

February

Since we have traditionally played music all spring, summer and fall for more than fifty years now, February has turned into one of the months where we have taken some time off to vacation and or travel. 

Carl elected on cruise after cruise, and I went on a guys’ Handball excursion, and somehow this year, we both ended up in the same place and time for a few days.  Kool!

Then we went our own separate ways but reunited to play one gig at our favorite spot, Bumper’s Landing in Harrison township.

Bumper’s is always exciting and never what you might least expect.  Just love that place

Rb

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January, 2025

The new year didn’t exactly rush in like a bull for us.  It was more: quiet like a chipmunk stealing grain and hiding it under your patio furniture cushions.  

Seriously, we had several gigs scheduled in January, but for various reason, were all cancelled at the last moment.  Weather, logistics and football were the main culprits.  No problem. It’s all entertainment, whatever we do and whatever the people want. We will certainly be there when its our time to shine.

There is a reason for most things, and I am sure in the grand scheme of things, the reason for a Bob and Carl No-Music January will avail itself in time.  

In the meantime, Carl and I had the chance to work on songs and equipment to make 2025 a truly kick-ass summer. You might not know this, but most musicians work on their craft year-round to maintain that next level sound. We, for example play most every weekend at the same venues all summer. Our goal is for the regulars that frequent those venues to not get tired of us. It is a very difficult scenario as we are constantly updating both our musical catalog and our equipment. We try hard to stay relevant, and it can be costly. All part of being a Rock Star!

Rb

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December

There is a warmness about December that is not too difficult to describe. Friends, family and loved ones all gather together to share the goodness of the holidays, and the blessings within.  There might be only one thing that could make things better, music!

Through the years, Carl and I have had the chance to be able to share our musical gifts with the people we care deeply about and means so much to us.  When most folks think of the holidays, they imagine the warmth off the season being shared with food, friends, spectacle and music.

When Carl and I think of the holidays, we think of all the kids we have brought our Christmas spirit to, and how that joy will never be forgotten.  We also think of home; and our home-away-from-home is of course, Bumper’s Landing.   At Bumper’s we get to have food, drink and song with some of the most wonderful people that we have shared our lives with over the last ten years.

I certainly don’t have to tell you how crazy it is this time of year.  People going here and there, trying to make every detail of the holidays like a Christmas card.   It is a whirlwind of stress and hustle.

One of the best things about The Fifth Tavern in Clarkston is the fact that you can simply drop in at any time and there will turn it into an unforgettable experience.   Sitting ringside across from the bar, lets us join into the merriment as we try and sing everyone’s favorite classic hit. Such a great way to share in the true spirit of the holidays.

Rb

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the sunshine of our love – july 2024 When the calendar turned it’s page to July, the cool and wet weather that was our Michigan, Spring finally got the message.
  For most of the Spring, Carl and I had been battling the weekends that were either wet, cool, or both at the same time.   ...Continue reading...

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promises, promises! – May, 2024 The promise of a new summer season is always just out of reach.  It is when Carl and I begin to prepare. ( in more ways than one).  We know that so many details need to be addressed, and as professional musician’s the very least of them is the music....Continue reading...

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Living again – June, 2022

It was still very cool this spring; like winter would never let go of our souls; no matter how hard we tried.  Cool, wet but drama free, actually.  There were signs of a new season perched on the horizon, and then again, just as quickly, they were gone.  To say that more than once we were frustrated wouldn’t be an exaggeration; and yet, hope was never far away . . .

Suddenly, spring gave way to summer, and all at once, and it was glorious!

After so, so long our normality was back.  We could breathe again. We could sing again, we could live again.  And live we did!

Like the Munchkins from the Wizard Of Oz, everyone seemed to peek outside, gather their courage for a moment and then venture out to begin truly living once again.  We ventured out too!

Carl and I played some new venues in June, and made some wonderful memories in the process.  Wherever we ended up, we seemed to find more smiles and, “That you!s” along the way.  (Music never fails to make that connection if you play it right).

A huge part of the reason that people were feeling a greater sense of normalcy is their ability to return to places that they feel were comfortable.  Places they felt were like home.  (it kind of makes them feel normal again).

We were asked to entertain that The Beach Market in Charlotte Michigan.  It was a very long drive, but very interesting to play.  Folks were absolutely appreciative of our effort and how long we traveled to entertain them.  Lots of fun!

Of course we played several Saturday’s at Bumper’s Landing, Harrison Township.  What can we say that hasn’t been said by now?  Any given Saturday is a lot of work, but so rewarding.  We now have reached a new level lof comfort in playing Bumper’s  that we simply have never felt before.  It actually makes us even more conscious of ever minute detail of how the place runs and operates.  We are dialed in, and it makes us even better, I believe.

In June we also had the good fortune to return to the Country Club Of Lansing.  So beautiful, so relaxing and so enjoyable.  The journey is long, but the rewards are well worth it.  Actually we have been entertaining at country clubs for nearly fifty years now.  Look how beautifully maintained this venue is.  We are so lucky to be asked back.

I have taken many phots over the years.  I try to gather some quality shots at every event we play.  My goal is to tell the story with pictures as well as music, if I can.

In all honesty, I was very reluctant to approach people during the pandemic.  First of all I didn’t want to invade their space.  I didn’t wish to startle them.  In all actuality, pictures taken from a distance are just not what we need to tell out story when we play for people.  It’s that same connection that engaged people with music, that I feel I have to have when using my camera.  I am only now just feeling comfortable again putting people on the spot enough to capture their evening out for posterity.  

Some things may work online, with FaceTime or even Zoom, but to really connect in a meaningful way, you need to be right there with them.  That is the part that you miss most of all, that connection that reaffirms how you have finally reached someone and made them feel things they can only feel with you.  Nothing can take the place of real honest contact, connection and emotions.

June was awesome, and it gave us so much hope that the summer would be everything we could hope for!  I only wish that you were part of it.

Rb