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There are those who love to be by the water.

To them, it is calming.  To them it is a source of their happiness and well being.  I believe that some of us simply feel better when they are in, on or by the water.

Michigan is very fortunate to have water surround us on so many sides.  It affords those of us that need it, the calming effect that their psych hungers for.

It could be the gentle rocking that reminds us of our treasured infancy; a happier, simpler, care-free time.  It could be the boundless eternity of flowing water; the giver of all life itself, surrounding and embracing us.

I suppose that when it comes right down to it, none of that matters.  Boaters simply enjoy being around water.

Carl and I have played many a performance over the years for boaters, boat clubs and sailing groups.  We have entertained on boats, on the water, weather it be in the summer or in the bitter cold of the long. frozen winter.

However, these last few year, since we have become lucky enough to be at Bumper’s Landing, (nestled in the water-rich confines of Harrison Township Michigan), we have learned so much that we had never imagined about these amazing individuals.

They are happy.  All the time.  Happy.

I endlessly marvel at that.  The trivial trappings of everyday life seems unable to stick on them or weigh them down, as they do the rest of us.

I really think that the water gives them some immunity to the minutia that assails most of us landlubbers.

We go through our hectic lives, Monday through Friday, only to reach the weekend, where we spend endless hours trying to catch up to that elusive concept called, “Relaxation”.

However, once we arrive there, we are too exhausted to even begin to know how to actually relax and revel in it.

For those who get their energy and collective center from the waves, each and every day seems to be calmed by the ebb and flow of the water, seemingly coursing through their veins.

We are truly envious of them, Carl and I, to be that blissful all the time.  Where nothing or no one can push them over the edge, like us mere city folk or country bumpkins.

That is one of the reasons that we feel so lucky to be included in their group.  Kind of like, honorary boat people.

When we arrive, we take it all in: the interactions, the sights the sounds the smells and even the vibe that permeates the waterfront.  It is all so amazingly healthy that one could even make a case for each one of us to move by the water; permanently.

As we set up each week, we observe the people, the interactions and the goings-ons around us.  Boats pulling up, people congregating and drinks being consumed.  All while we ready our gear for the night of entertaining ahead.

Saturday, things are a bit slower and easier than other days of the week.  We feel less rushed and able to enjoy the entire process of playing music for this venue.

We love Bumper’s.  We are very happy and lucky to be included in their musical line-up. Everyone there works so hard at what they do, each and every time they arrive at their job. We see that, and appreciate it greatly, as it makes our job so much easier.

When the staff does such a wonderful job, the customers are happy.
Happy patrons translates to a wonderful night, for everyone.

We believe that playing music in an establishment like this is pretty simple and straightforward.  Show up on time, ready to entertain, and just have a good time doing whatever it is that we do.

I guess, making people happy via our music.

Simple.

Our first set started out a little bit more up-tempo that we usually begin with, since, no-one wants to feel like they are being blown out of the water with loud offensive music.

Not for our first set, anyway.

It has been our goal this summer of 2018 to introduce lots of new music into our sets.  Maybe not, “new” music; but music that is new to us, and the people that we see regularly.

They deserve it, and above all, we do not want to become stale for our patrons.  Every week, we want to try to bring several new pieces of music into our shows.  It also has the effect of keeping Carl and I more focused and involved in the shows.

So far, we have introduced about ten new songs, that have all been received well by our audiences.

I’m sure that it goes unnoticed, but we work on our craft each and every week to improve it in all aspects of our performances.

We study and research new equipment to continually deliver better, more enduring sound.    We upgrade and groom our equipment to withstand the rigors of our week-in-week-out gigging.

We coordinate our wardrobe.  We learn new music, we practice the delivery of each song that we introduce into our performances.

We even work at keeping ourselves healthy and in good physical shape, so that we are always able to fulfill our musical schedule.  We are very proud that we have never missed a performance in over forty-five years of playing music together.

So with all of these things that are part of our inherent work ethic, it is so nice to be lucky enough to perform for people that are so appreciative of us and what we do to bring our shows to life.

We have studied them, Carl and I.  We have observed them now for this third summer.  We still don’t understand them, much.  Or even how lucky we are to be able to be entertaining them on Saturday nights.  But we certainly do appreciate being right here by the water, with them.

And, one more thing . . .

Working with tan owner and his staff that treats us like family is truly the best experience we have ever had in nearly fifty years of playing music professionally.

When I say working with, I mean just that.  While some people direct from afar, the true leaders jump right in, should-to-shoulder and pitch in on every level to accomplish their goals together.

This has been what we have always admired personally.  So I am acknowledging the incredible boss and amazing staff of Bumper’s Landing.

Being by the water for so long now, hopefully will rub off on Carl and I.  We will become more pleasant and easy-going.

Or, maybe we will just play happier songs.

Either way, if we are playing them by the water, they sure will sound relaxing!

Rb

 

 

 

 

Everywhere we look, (even despite what some people say), there are signs that people want to take an active hand in “Making America great again“.

Let’s forget the politics of that phrase, for a moment.

Of course, we all look back at days gone past, and somehow yearn to reclaim the joy and happiness imagined within.  Everything seems better as we reflect on it, weather realistically or not.  Things were always better.  Things were always easier, or longer, or shorter or simpler.

We all realize too, that some of that might not have been appreciated or valued at the actual time that it was experienced.  We tend to romanticize things as we look back at them.  It’s part of the human condition.

So when we look back at the simpler time of being a child and having no responsibilities other than just listening and doing what our parents told us to do, life sure could seem wonderful.

When Carl and I arrived in the quaint little town square in Auburn Hills last Friday afternoon, we were both struck with how picturesque it was.

America as it was always intended to be.  Inclusive, warm and glorious.

Since Auburn Hills is going through such a transformation from what it was, to what it ideally wants to be, the cityscape is undergoing some growing pains right now.

Apparently there will be a brand new amphitheater next year near the park, down near the river.  The town square is under an upheaval, as new store-fronts are being created and some updated.  The streets were being widened and re-faced for better pedestrian and automobile interaction.

All of this to say that right smack in the middle, we were to do a concert!

It was a great honor to be included in their concert series line-up with such other accomplished entertainers.  Since we have played several time over the past few years, we were quite excited to be back.  And, looking ahead to the new venue on the horizon, it was even more of an incentive to step up our game just a little bit, so were were asked back.

So they rolled out the red carpet for us this time.

Well, the green carpet to be exact.  About an entire football field of green Astro-Turf.

They ingeniously transformed a small town square into an impromptu concert arena for this years’ concert series.  The new amphitheater should be done by 2019.

When we show up at a new location or venue, and we are greeted by warm friendly faces, it begins the entire experience perfectly.  It was very evident, that so much care and attention had been focused on this event, that we both knew it was going to be a great night.

The weather was going to cooperate and people were arriving even then to stake out their space for the upcoming show.

We set up casually and easily on the cute little stage they had prepared for us.  As people were arriving and congregating, we changed our clothes and prepared to start.

After the emcee gave us a warm welcome, we began our hour and a half show with some Bob Segar music to get everyone accustomed to our sound.

We played music from many artists and several genres as the evening unfolded.  We even played several Irish favorites to the delight of the passionate attendees.

An hour into the performance, Carl called for some requests from the appreciative crowd.  The Monkees and Neil Diamond were right at the front of the line as time was beginning to grow short for our show.

Watching people dance, smile and sing along is always a great way to gauge how effective we are at engaging our audience at any performance.  The Auburn Hills crowd seemed to enjoy the night as much as Carl and I were.

It was a wonderful evening.

We finished with our rendition of, Love The One You’re With; our way of letting the audience know how much we enjoyed the entire Auburn Hills experience.

We certainly hope that we we be asked to return next year at the new venue.  It will be very hard to top this years’ event.

Someday, when we look back at this night, we will both smile at the memory of us reflecting the greatness that America can be, through our musical performance.

Rb

 

The Bumper’s phenomenon.

It’s a thing.

Well, it is now, for sure.  Just ask anyone in Southeast Michigan who knows anything,  they’ll tell you all about it.

The word is out.
The drinks are poured.
The food is cooking and music is in the air.

Carl and I are yet to have a perfect evening as far as the weather is concerned, and yet, the nights have been incredible at Bumper’s Landing.

When the temps and clouds do cooperate, it is going to be some kind of incredible madness!

That will be fine, we’ll be ready to manage it all.

For now, we’ll take what we can get, weather wise.  Last Saturday, it was cloudy and sprinkley outside.  We wondered if people were going to show top.

Since it was very quiet when we showed up to bringing our gear, we thought that it might be a very slow night.  Boy, were we wrong.

Right from the beginning of the night, we watched the doors open up and and deliver us smiling faces.  Smiling faces that for the most part, stay3ed all night long.

The rain might have been trying to spoil the evening, but the Bumper’s crowd was having none of it.

Our first set was spent just watching the phenomenon, first and, really.  They would come in and seem to never leave.  Everywhere happy groups of fun, jovial boat people.  Our kind of crowd.

Carl and I could really get spoiled playing for these people.

Set after set of music began to wear them down, until around nine thirty, the dancing break out in earnest.

Guys were sitting in to perform a song or two, and everyone Wass having an incredible time.

Wse. certainly didn’t count on anything much happening on this night; however, we were wrong.  Very soon it was packed and nearly overflowing into the Cabana.

One thing we never have taken for granted was the Bumper’s phenomenon.  It’s almost crazy fun now.  This huge group of people, every week, all having a wonderful time.

No fights, no problems and not hassles.

Some thing are just natural occurrences: like the weather, the elements and time itself.

The Bumper’s Phenomenon is the only one of them that is man made.

Well, man AND women made!

Rb

They say that you can never go back.

Well, they are wrong.  In Centerline, you can.  We did it last Saturday afternoon.

Carl and I returned to the place that we have enjoyed playing for the last couple summers.  Centerline Independence Festival.

We love getting the chance to play country music.  And, in Centerline, we had just one such opportunity.

Although the weather would not cooperate for us agin this year, we would not be denied.  Setting up on the Eastpointe show-mobile, we knew that things would be a little different this year.

It was raining, and the crowds were not out-and-about as of yet.  However, that didn’t deter us one bit.  We lit into the country hits with will abandon.

We played a variety of old and new country.  Something for each and everyone that might stop by to enjoy the music and the day.  Four or five songs into our two-hour set, we started getting requests from the good folks in attendance.

They wanted some, Riders in the Sky.  Some Garth Brooks and some Johnny cash.  Always happy to oblige, Carl launched into request after request, to the delight of those in attendance.

The rain held off just long enough for us to take a small break, as well as give us a chance to chat with the country fans that crowded the stage area.  Everyone was happy, evident by the smiles and the toes that were tapping.

Our second half of the show was a bit younger in song selection, and a bit more up-tempo, in nature.  Time to play some music by the country artists of the last five years.

The crowd was really coming together now, as it was nearly time to do some square dancing under the beer tent.

We finished strong with some old country favorites.  Leaving a good impression in the hearts and minds of all the fans who attended.

While this year seemed like a transition year for the festival, we certainly hoped that we will be back again to have more fun with the great fans of Centerline.

Rb

 

The Saturday might start out dark and grim; but before you know it, the sun worshipers will rule!

When last Saturday began, it was cool, dark and cloudy.  Not the kind of day that anyone would suspect of being a good day for an outdoor event.  I guess that I am guilty of be somewhat pessimistic when it comes to folks and the Michigan weather. I tend to err on the side of people wanting to stay inside and being comfortable, if there is the slightest reason that they might not like it outside.  Well, once again, I have underestimated boaters.

Yes, it was a little cool and windy.  A little dark and dreary.  And yet when we arrived to set up at 5;00 on Saturday, at Bumper’s Landing, we realized that someone forgot to tell the boaters that they shouldn’t be enjoying the day.

Too late.  They were there and they were already happy, no thanks to us.  Bumper’s Landing is a true boater’s haven.  It is quite evident that they feel very much at home as soon as they arrive.

Doing all we can to feed that feeling, carl and I are quick to break out the Jimmy Buffet.  Just the right vibe to get their motor’s running.

Sailing through our first set; it became ever so evident that nothing was about to darken the day for this group.  Just in time for the middle of our set, the sun made it’s appearance.

Now there was no holding back this crowd.  By the second set, it was filled inside and out.  Happy people appeared everywhere.  Men, women, boats and kids.  And, a full pack of dogs, on this night.

Yes, dogs!

Boaters love their canine companions, and Bumper’s does as well.  There were several pooch’s for the evening, in all shapes and sizes.  If you couldn’t feel like you were finally at home before seeing them, I’m sure that did the trick.

We play five hours when we entertain on a Saturday night.  The theory is that we take longer breaks than usual, since we play one hour more than most every other band.  In reality, it never works out that way.

Like one patron told me, “You guys play more than an other band, period!”.

Well, we do what we do.  What we have always done.  Our goal is to “audition” each and every night.  To take nothing for granted.  We never act like anything is owed to us musically.  We treat each and every audience like people that we have never met, and need to win over.

By doing that, we always try and put our best foot forward.  We give all that we have at every show. We try to work as hard as all of the good people that work around us.  From the owner, right down to the bus boy.  They all work incredibly to make everyone else succeed.

Our next set had lots of fun, sing-a-long songs ready and waiting to be joined by the people.  All we had to do was to ignore the fish flies that dropped by early.  No problem, I’m pretty sure that it will get a lot worse before its gets any better. In a week or two, we will be covered with them.

Saturday was a great night.  There was only one thing missing.  Still right on the edge of that break-out night when the weather finally cooperates, and gives us a hot-sweaty summer Saturday.

It’s about to happen; and when it does . . .

Look out!

Rb

While it was not our first time entertaining at “The cutest little ball-park in America.“, it was probably the best.  The weather was nice and the people were friendly and in a great mood.

It was a actually the forth or fifth time that we have played Jimmy John’s Field, in picturesque Utica Michigan.  However, each time, (but the very first), was marred by some type of natural phenomenon.  Twice it was home to torrential downpours, and once the winds were in excess of fifty miles an hour. While not making it impossible to play, it certainly didn’t make things conducive to good baseball.

On this night however, things went very smooth.

A picturesque setting for our American pastime.  What could be better?  Maybe sharing it with friends, family or your best gal!

Only thing better would be adding some superb music to the whole endeavor.  Plus, a theme.  How about making it Irish Heritage Night?

Perfect!

All we had to do was to entertain the fans before, during and after the baseball fun.  No problem.

From our perch in center field, we could see all of the action, first hand.  And with our intern for the evening, Benny, everything went smooth and by the numbers.

All we had to do was to follow the script.  6:00 to 6:15 play Irish music.

After the second inning, third inning, and then after the fifth.

Then seventh, middle of eight, then it gets a little sketchy from their on out.  Not even extra innings would get us off track on this night.

The weather was perfect.  The people were friendly and fun.  All smiles and cheers and dancing.  Always the way it is at Jimmy John’s Field.  That’s why we keep coming back.

Special thanks to Benny.  He made everything so easy and perfect.  He gave us our cue to begin, when to stop and even told us great stories about all the hardworking people that make the ballpark a great place for family entertainment.

Summer is just beginning.  Make sure that you take in a game or two this year at Jimmy John’s Field.  You’ll be so glad that you did.

We sure hope to be back.  And, maybe next time we’ll have more fans with us.

Rb

We know that Bumper’s Landing has been around for several years now; however this is the second summer since the total remodel, and we are here to tell you what a success it has been.

Every sign points to great things on the horizon for this, “boater’s paradise”.

It’s the second summer since the new remodel and everywhere we look, we see signs that this will be the break out summer for Bumper’s!

Look inside, look outside.  The docks, the patio the parking lots; everywhere signs are evident that people just can’t stay away.  They are coming back, weekend after weekend.  Any perceived issues with service are a thing of the past.

Bumper’s has found its’ groove and is running on all cylinders.  The recent remodel.  The new improvements.  The things on the horizon all promise to keep Bumper’s at the top spot for enjoying the lake and all it has to offer.

The music is simply another added bonus.  Check out this line-up for June. As the summer unfolds, there will be night after night of great music, echoing throughout the waves.  Make sure that you get a chance to stop by and listen to any or all of them.  You will be so glad that you did.

Our night was fun and exciting, just like always.  You know by now that we can count on one thing for sure, that it is NEVER boring at Bumper’s

The word is out.  The drinks are flowing and the music is in the air.  Just as soon as summer officially arrives, things will be off the hook.

Plan on coming by and checking it out for yourself.  Tell them Bob and or Carl sent them!

Rb

 

Everyone wants it.  But, no-one can do anything about it.

Such is the problem with the weather in Michigan.  While we are all awaiting things to get warm, the cool temps are not about to ruin anyone’s Saturday night around here.

Not at Bumper’s Landing.

Nestled along the mighty Clinton River is Macomb County’s newest, hot-spot.  At this point, it really doesn’t matter that Mother Nature is doing outside, because inside people are enjoying themselves like prisoner’s on their last day.

We can attest to the fun that seems to always manifest itself whenever we are there.  Just like clockwork, we arrive, we set up and we hold on for dear life.

Anything can happen, and usually does.

Playing music is just something that we are lucky enough to be paid to do, during all of the goings on.  We get requests.  We get opinions.  We get suggestions and we get a lot of thanks for doing such a great job.  That’s another bonus of entertaining this group.

Bumper’s give us a place to perform.  A place to entertain and a place to have a creative outlet for our music.

The patrons are always appreciative and fun.  The staff and owner are the best of the best that we have ever encountered.  The venue is ripe for the kind of enjoyment and relaxations that beckons people from all walks of life; not just boat people.

If you are reading this, you might think that I am making all this up.  Not a chance.  We are simply lucky to be able to call Bumper’s Landing our musical home.

Stop by and see what all the fuss is about.  You don’t need to wait until it’s perfect outside; it will be perfect inside, for sure!

Rb

 

So close, and yet, so far.

That would just about describe our Bumper’s experience last Saturday night.

The goal after all, was to celebrate the grand re-openiong of the Tiki bar.  Anything short of that, would mean that summer, was still waiting in the wings.

Everyone was more than ready to kick of our summer season.  Everyone, except Mother Nature herself.  Apparently she decided to throw one more cold-wave our way, just to let everyone know who’s really in charge around here.

So the weather was cool.  Fine, that almost never happens in Michigan.

You’re forgetting that boaters can roll with anything.  These boat people are hearty.  And, happy!

I don’t think that it really matters where the party is; inside or outside.  As long as the party exists, they will be there.

Looking at these photos from that night will show how content these patrons really are.  They do not worry about anything.  That in of itself is a great feeling.

When the Tiki bar is open and summer is in full force, the only difference will be the location of the party.

And that location will be Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Township!

Rain or shine, see you there!

RB

. . . More than that, I believe.

There’s a reason that the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens looks and feels so right.  It has been a bar, or pub or speakeasy, gentleman’s gathering place and or music venue for 118 years now.

That means for way more than a century, people have been gathering on this spot to forget the troubles of the ancient world.  We come together, we mourn, we celebrate and we speculate on where we will be in one hundred years or more.

Our job, Carl and I, is to entertain those souls when they gather.  A theme-song of the human experience, so to speak.  To use music to break down the walls that the world builds around us of worry, doubt and dismay.

Paired with just the right adult libation, music can find a way into each heart and mind, freeing it to expel the demons of our modern society.

If but for a short while.

These walls have heard it all.  The exhalation and pathos we all endure in our time and trials on this Earth.  More than not, the folks that gather to share their experiences, do not seek to solve the worlds’ problems from the glistening edge of their favorite glass; they only attempt to share in the knowledge that their common thoughts and wishes can be auditioned.

We set the mood.  We begin slowly and carefully.  Not too loud, not too timidly.  We break the ice.  We become the focus in the room from the very first chord.  By coming forward to offer our musical illusions, it allows the patrons to relax and  express their inner feelings and phobias.  This process of people sharing and finding common ground in others is why people are inherently gregarious in the first place.

After all, people need people.  (I believe someone said that in a song.)

We gather in groups to share and to like; (and to hate, unfortunately).  But, if there is song involved, that gathering can be glorious.  They gathered together in the 1800’s to hear a man called Lincoln.

They gathered right here in Mount Clemens to hear a man Called Kennedy.  They gathered in Woodstock New York to pay tribute to the electric musical gods of their time.

They gather here and there, far and wide; all over the world.  Music is the new religion of our age.  Music is the tonic that soothes our souls.  It enlightens, it uplifts.

Music breaks down barriers and brings people closer together.  Music is the universal langue that we all respond to.  It can bridge the gaps between us all.  It can inspire us, unite us or ignite us, as it can be a catalyst for great change and hope.

Music is that important, and as such, we take is very seriously.

When a venue that has been such an significant gathering place for so long marries with music that has been the voice of generations, the results are awe-inspiring.

People that come through those venerable doors to lose their troubles and cares, are almost saying . . . “Take away my troubles, for a while.  Let me lose myself in song, and let me be renewed!”

We talked to many of the people that came into the Three Blind Mice last Friday night.  We thanked them for arriving, and let them know that they were welcome, and able to hear whatever kind of music made them happy.

That is our job.  We play the music, they feel good.

Friends from far away came to see us.  They talked and listened and felt better when they left.  Pretty simple.  It works.

As soon as one big group finished for the night, another came to take their place.  It worked out very well.

So many people need comfort and care And and place that they feel good.  A place that they can express themselves and the joy they feel for living.

Music helps that process.  It has for a year, or a decade or a century and more.

People, music and time.

Rb