Blog

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

 

What makes any band, group or duo unique, is their “sound”.

If you think about it, really, that is what stays with anyone lucky enough to hear an entertainer – the “sound”.

Weather its the vocals, or the drums or any unique instrument that stands out in a person’s mind, it is that particular “sound” that defines that group.  It is the “sound” that sets itself apart from all others.  Or, in most cases, the “sound” that doesn’t.  And, in the end, if nothing sets them apart, or singularly defines them, or makes them memorable in any way, they will most likely fade into musical obscurity.

So you see, to musicians, their “sound” is very, very important.  Throughout any musical era, all the great groups are immediately identified by there “sound”.

The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Doors, The Stones.  Dylan, Joplin and Elvis.  Sinatra, Holly or Glenn Millar; they all had their “sound”.

A groups’ “sound” is a combination of the natural characteristics of their God-given physical talents, musicianship and in the modern era, their chosen, musical equipment and sound support gear.

It all melds together, to give a create their, “sound”.

Listening to any group or artist will quickly illustrate exactly what I am eluding to.  Why one artist sounds completely different than most others, is a combination of all these factors.

So on Saturday night, when we introduced an entirely different sound board, we spent most of the evening trying to recapture our “sound”.

At this point I’m not completely certain how this appears to an ordinary music fan or patron; but I am pretty certain that it doesn’t mean a whole lot.  I suppose that it really shouldn’t, since there is really nothing that the audience can do about it.

With the new mixing system and sound board, everything sounded completely different to us; and not in a good way.  It’s really pretty difficult to get things like this corrected while we are performing; but that is just the nature of it.

Most of this falls on Carl.  He designs, purchases, builds and maintains our sound reinforcement equipment.  He has the vision of how to best tailor our sound so that what we have naturally, (and, believe me when I say, it ain’t much), can be brought out in concert.

It is with that equipment that we make our musical mark.  It is in how we as performers use that gear that allows us to express our talents, and share them with the audience.

Adding this new gear to the mix, can be a extremely daunting if it does not cooperate.  No level of practice or forethought can completely alleviate the wonders of equipment that fails to do its’ job at an inappropriate time.

So, as Saturday’s performance at Bumper’s Landing in Harrison Twp. began, Carl was already scrambling to make things right.  Things were too loud, things were too soft.  Things were squealing, buzzing, snapping and crackling.  Some things began, then stopped.  Some things never even launched into the musical unknown.

Ah, the life of a rock star.

We began our first set of the night at 6:00.  However, I don’t think that Carl even sat down until about 9:30 or 10:00.  He had to tend to our “sound” that entire time.

The crowd did their part.  As I have said over and over again, boaters are easy.  They tend to take care of themselves more than not.  And on this night, that was a pretty good thing.

We were busy with the “sound”, the rain, the fish flies and the act of physically playing.

From the beginning, people were into our music, on this particular night.  That was good, since we were quite preoccupied by other things.

We did field most every request that came our way, with true pluck and sheer tenacity.

During the course of the evening, I had many patrons tell me how much they liked our music. So something must have been going well.  It was just tough for us to slog through.

During each new song, we would try to get the levels right and consistent.

As the evening wore on, most things smoothed out and became more to our liking.

In the end, we will simply re-do some of what didn’t work as designed, and rethink some more.  In the end, Carl will figure it all out.  He always does.

Carl and I found our “sound” long ago.  It is a rare combination of not much talent and a lot of electrical apparatus.

So, in the end, if someone trips over the plug; we are just left with our God-given talents alone . . .

Yikes!

Rb

While everyone is not a boater, everyone can relate to what makes boaters so special.

This being our third summer “rollin’ on the river”, I am taking a moment to pause and reflect on what I believe makes boat people so rewarding to play for.

Carl and I are lucky enough to be able to entertain at Bumper’s Landing, in Harrison Twp. just about once a week this summer.  When I say, “entertain”, I mean play music for.  Seems as though, we are also being “entertained“, by the patrons of this fun establishment as well.

While Carl and I labor at entertaining patrons, fans and friends at each and every show we play; boaters just seem to be of an entirely different ilk.

At most events, we start out tentatively and simply, just trying to get our feet on the ground – our best musical foot forward.  As it were

We take it slowly from there, song by song, melody by melody until the night evolves and hopefully matures into a melding of melodies that establish a musical connection with the audience.  It is a time-honored process that has been repeated throughout our musical careers that have now spanned five decades.  It’s tried, it’s true and it works.

With boat people . . . forget all of that.  Just show up, add music and your all set.

They are there to have fun, and fun, they will have.  You really have to do a lot to screw that up and piss them off.  They don’t care about the weather, the temperature and or the politics: If they have blue water, blue skies and Labatt Blue, they are in boater heaven!

Its a new experience for us, and one that we are very good with.  We can hang with the best of them under those conditions.  Turn us loose, and we will play music for them all night long.

On this last Saturday, once again, the crowd was already in place, and the weather was cooperating perfectly when we arrived to set up, an hour and a half early.

The staff was working hard, as they always do, to make sure that the drinks were flowing nicely.

We set up and tested our equipment to make certain that when it was time to play, we could.

Getting ready early also gives us the chance to find out who was working, what songs the patrons wanted right off the bat, and also to canvas the people for some early requests.

All smiles were on deck and ready to launch!

Set after set of fun music put everyone in an even better mood, until the alcohol took hold of some folks, now ready to cut a rug.  We could do that, too!

Boaters, we have observed, aren’t complainers, either.  When it gets cool outside, they simply bring the party inside.  Problem solved.  They don’t critique the music, they simply ask for more.

If they can’t find a waitress, they even go behind the bar to some themselves . . .  Wait, that’s not right!

Anyway, they are a happy folk.  They love their boats, their drinks and their music.  When a vessel comes in to dock, they all scurry around to try and help one of their own join the party.

It is a truly wonderful atmosphere.

No wonder Paul and his amazing staff love what they are doing.  Boaters just wanna’ have fun!

Carl and I just can’t wait to get back to the party . . .

Rb

 

 

Although Carl and I have been playing music at The Great Oaks golf course for more than twenty five year, things there have never been mundane.

Always doing what their swelling membership feels is in their best interest, the course may not have changed, but the setting sure has.

When we arrived this year for our annual Memorial day/Fourth of July/Labour Day kickoff, Monday, we got a peek at what has been happening since last year.

Still by the pool, the great staff at G.O. has been tweaking things until they are now, nearly perfect in every way.

Moved from our perch over the last ten years at one end of the pool, we have now fallen in love with our new location.  Situated at the other end of the pool, near the newly remodeled cabana, we couldn’t be happier.

The members can hear our music better now, we are in a spot that is much more easily accessible, and we have an more productive location for us to better entertain.

The food is still incredible.  And, the drinks, the setting and amenities and of course, the visuals.  Now, though, everything has melded perfectly.  Each area adjusted until the overall look and feel is nothing short of perfection!

What an honor it is to be entertaining all of these wonderful people on their holiday.  From this spot, I believe that Carl and I will have even more interaction with the membership.  Allowing us to play a greater amount of the music that they love and cherish, as the sun, food and drinks work their magic.

Memorial day was truly amazing, again this year.  For the fourth of July, we will really need to bring more music to the party; and we will!

See you there.

Rb

Not that it ever went anywhere; Bumper’s Landing in lovely Harrison Twp. is back with a vengeance.  Lats Saturday afternoon, Carl and I set up for our summer on the water tour that is the Bumper’s Landing gazebo.  And if last week was any indication, it will be better than ever this summer!

Iv’e probably said it a hundred times by now; but boaters are the happiest people in the world.

So, playing music for them is a lot more of a joy than it is any kind of work.  That being said, we do our bets to work hard when we are on stage there.

All that music just doesn’t happen by accident.  We get there early, take our time carefully setting up, and begin on time.  We try to craft long enjoyable sets and minimize our break times.

Even during our breaks, Carl and I try and talk to our audience and listen to their requests and advice.  This connects us and tunes us in more closely to whatever vibe them may be feeling.

Several of our good friends were also on hand to share our night with us.  That always makes things ever more fun and enjoyable.  Props to Freddy Fox, Dino Ciccarelli and our great friend Sam from the Mice for the good times, laughter and advice.

It’s going to be an epic summer, we can simply feel it!

Rb

Retirement Recreation.

When you put those two words together, there might be all kinds of images that come to mind.  Probably none of them apply in this case.

Holsbeck Construction was honoring one of their own, so they reached out to us to help make the event one-of-a-kind memorable.

That is just what we did.

Placing the event at The Rec Bowl in venerable Mount Clemens added a great touch as well.  So much better that a hall or a banquet center for a very intimate evening

Another grand idea to make the afternoon special was the Mexican theme, including catering by El Charro’s.  I Yi Yi ! ! !

So the music was flowing, the Margaritas were flowing and the balls were rolling!  (bowling balls, I mean).

It was a retirement party, second to none, with the owner, the CEO and all of the staff there to honor their retiring treasured family member and employee.

It was the perfect evening.  even the torrential downpour couldn’t put anyone in a bad mood.

The owner of The Rec Bowl even finally pinned us down to set a date for us to come back and entertain outside on the big stage.

It was so much fun, and we were both so very proud to have been asked to be a part of the wonderful evening.

We can’t wait to return on July 28th the have even more fun!

Rb