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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

. . . . Ok, now that I have your attention; let me tell you about last Friday night at the Three Blind Mice, Irish Pub.

Coming right on the heels of Carl and I playing fourteen hours on St. Patrick’s day, we hoisted our guitars yet again at the Mice, beginning right after the dinner hour at seven.

A nice crowd was on hand to urge us on right out of the gate; and it was just what we needed. Running on fumes from the start of the week, it was now time to put it in gear and be the all American, entertaining dynamos that people have come to expect from seeing any Bob and Carl show. (no, really).

It was a good start, and with the people still filtering in at eight and nine, the pub really began to swell with that great vibe that permeates the first floor of our favorite gig on so many occasions.

From the start, we began interacting with some wonderful groups of girls, out for a memorable night on the town. Some professionals, some friends and some relatives all meshed together as the music broke down all barriers and boundaries. Everyone smiling and joking and enjoying the fun atmosphere that is generated when people want to leave their work-life at work, to just let it go somewhere fun and re-laaaaaaaaax!

The crowd was wonderful again, as they have been all winter.  And, now that spring is right around the corner, you can tell that people are even more excited about the warm weather, and the coming of all the good times that follow.

Requestes were flying fast and furious as Carl and I tried desperately to keep up.  As the hours flew by, I do believe that we got everyone’s favorite song sent out to them.  We received more than a few compliments, and along with those warm smiles; it was a quite fulfilling night for us both.

At just about ten o’clock, and the ceiling began to shake in earnest.  It was the band upstairs on the second floor making it shake.  Killer Vibe was in the house again, and as we say in the business . . . “They were Killin’ it!”

The three-man powerhouse dressed all in black were taking no prisoners with their brand of surging rock, as the guitar sang and the bass and drums built a steady, riveting beat that shook the Mouse to its’ rafters.

While Killer Vibe was belting it out; everyone on the dance floor as well as the packed house had one thing in common with that venerable rock legend, Dave Matthews . . . they were all “feel’n Alright!”

On most night patrons will come for dinner and stay for a set or two extra; they really didn’t plan to be there for the music, but eventually were overcome by the merriment and mirth.  But, on this particular night, many a table came early and stayed late.  Making our night just as enjoyable as theirs.

Rb

. . . kinda sounds like a new Sci-Fi movie doesn’t it?

Nope, just another bob and Carl saga from the long road to Rock ‘N Roll . . .

Tired, hungry and more than a bit disappointed in the smaller-than-usual St. Paddy’s day throng that we had experienced so far on this day; Carl and I arrived at The Green Lantern Lounge in Clinton Township at around 3:30.

Everywhere we went beginning on Monday was for some reason much slower than we had experienced in past years; and the Lantern was no exception.

Undeterred and still optimistic, we sat down at the bar and waited to greet our long-time friend, Jewels.  No one has taken better care of us over the years than she.  First at the old Rosy O’Grady’s, (now Clancye’s), then Limelight in Rochester and for the last few years at The Green Lantern.

Jewels got us fed; (the pizza was incredible), told us where to set up and generally just made us feel welcome.  After lunch, which we really needed; we now had enough energy to take on the second half of our day.  All we needed was a group of St.Paddy’s day revelers to sing to. . .

At just about 5:30 when we were to begin, the lounge filled up quite nicely with the happy, smiling faces of the orange and the green.

The people who came that night to the Lantern sure made our entire day.  Friends, family and people who had no idea that they were going to be serenaded with Irish music, all banded together to make it an evening to remember.

Our great pal Jerry, his wife and friends were right up front.  Diane and the Taylors; and their friends were in the corner, and everyone else was milling about as the music got loader and louder.  I really can’t recall a show where there were more voices joining us for each chorus; but we loved it.

Each and every set got better and better, until the night culminated into a wonderfully-memorable group sing-a-long.  Just the way to usher-out another wonderful St. Paddy’s day celebration..

Rb

It took a while for winter to move on, but it did finally happen.  And when the snow subsides and the thermometer climbs it can only mean one thing . . . Spring is ready to be sprung!

Everyone in Michigan loves spring.  And, why shouldn’t they?  Spring means good times are right around the corner.  Long, lazy days; picnics and parties; rebuilding and summer vacations . . .

Wait a moment, lets not get too far ahead of ourselves, shall we.

Let’s take care of spring first.

And with the coming of spring, is the wearing’ of the green!  Yes, Saint Patricks’ annual arrival banishes more than just the snakes of ancient lore; it also forbids winter from returning to this wishful land.

The year of our lord, twenty fifteen proved to be a mostly quiet, and contemplative St. Paddy’s celebration.  More like a lamb than like a lion, this year.  That’s ok, as many factors seemed to enter in to the people’s perception of how to go about celebrating one of the most beloved of all traditions in America.

Carl and I began the day as we have for the last decade, with our good friends at Clancy’s Irish Pub in Clinton Township.  Vince and his staff always treat us well.  They go above and beyond to make us feel at home in the early morning hours of the long day ahead.

This year, as in the others as well, we even played the night before.  Sort of a “St. Practice day”, so to speak.  (Actually that tradition began for us back in the 1980’s).

Monday night was good fun.  The dinner crowd was merry and enthusiastic as Carl and I warmed them up with some favorite Irish melodies.

The best part of all was that when the doors opened up at 7:00 am the next morning; many of those same patrons strolled right through them, ready for more!  It takes a special type of person to begin drinking green beer first thing in the wee hours of the morning; but are we glad they showed up!

The music began at eight bells, with accompanying hand claps, whistles and lilting voices.  What a treat, to be in an Irish pub on St. Paddy’s day!

Colleen, Rick and Stewy held court at their usual table, joined for the first part of the day by Vince himself.  (our great friend and proprietor of this fine establishment).

As the hours advanced, the crowd began filling the pub.  And, although it was much slower, everywhere this year, everyone was truly on their best behavior to be sure.

There were bagpipers, dancers and merry-makers all standing elbow to elbow in the hold of this Irish celebration.

Clancy’s Irish Pub is always good to us.  One of the best places to look forward to playing music at.  It was a very pleasant year on the little stage, and God willing, we shall be back again next year.  But for now, it was time for us to move on to our next stop . . .

RB