In the mind’s eye of the artist, you would find their own personal vision of what a perfect day would be.  It might consist of blue skies, sunny climes or tranquil, pastoral-like settings.

On this beautiful weekend in Shelby Michigan, life truly imitates art.  Nothing was even remotely out of place on this picture-perfect Saturday-Sunday event for us.

Both days, the weather was right on point.  The grounds were impeccable, and the crowds were massive.  The vendors were poised and ready to show off their wares, just as the people began pouring in to the Shelby Art Fair, twenty eighteen.

Of all the scheduled shows we have on any years’ calendar, this is always one that we look forward to.  Easy arrival, set-up and staging.  We open for an amazing band who follows us, and never disappoints.  (The Rick Lieder Band).  Everything that could go right, did this weekend as we played two shows to start off each days’ festivities with the eclectic tone we feel was needed.

Eclectic, because this type of setting is just perfect for the kind of music that is a wee bit off the beaten path.  We don’t need to do the Margaritaville’s, the Brown Eye’d Girls or the Friends In the Low Places to please this crowd.

You know what, we might never play, My Girl again.  Hmmmm….

Carl and I can take a step back and play some songs that might need a little more listening.  Some songs are true gems that get lost in all the hype of commercial radio airplay.  We had several opportunities on Saturday and Sunday to slip in more than a few of our favorites gems.  

Here Comes Tomorrow, Where Do The children Play?, Big Iron, and even the seldom heard, Ain’t no Sunshine When She’s gone, reverberated over and through the Shelby oaks, bringing smiles and salutations from all who listened.

There are certain songs that hold deep meanings with people, and every once in a while, we get the chance to perform them.  All we need is the people to be to here to listen.

One kind lady approached the band shell and asked us if we could please play Wagon Wheel for her, telling us that it had a very special meaning.  The smile she wore as we gratefully played it for her meant more to us than many many requests we get at other shows.

Actually, that is the reason we still perform music.  For that lady, and all those like her that hold music dear.  For them, each song holds a special treasure to be enjoyed.

Everyone comes to this art fair for different reasons.  Some for the artwork, or the crafts.  Some to hear the music, to take part in a community event, or even to listen to live music.
So much going on, so much to see and do.

And taste!

We love the ice creme truck, the delicious pulled pork sandwiches, and especially the kettle corn.  Yum!

Everything on hand seems to meld as well.  The food compliments the music, and visa-versa.  The natural setting compliments the artwork and handcrafted items.  Everything simply works.

Musically we do all that we can to try and play many different genresl.  We play country and pop and folk and even Irish music.

Something for everyone, is our motto.

Every show we play rockets past at this fair.  Before we even realize it, we have time for maybe one song.  The only problem is that we have so many songs left over that never got played.

While there are certainly many thanks to around, to all the wonderful people that make this huge event work, we need to thank the main sponsor.

This year the band shell was sponsored by Genisys Credit Union who’s generous endowment made it possible for all the art lovers to hear some wonderful music while they strolled through the park.  We humbly thank them and hope that they allow us to return next year for more.

I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to stop by and sit a little during this special weekend.  The setting is so very perfect that it truly beckons you to, sit down and cast off all  your troubles and cares.

This pastoral scene comes to like once a year, right around the corner from all of your troubles and woes.

For at least one weekend a year, the artwork that we hold so dear comes to life and lets us paint its’ canvas.

Rb

Every once in a while, we are asked to entertain at a private party or event.  While most of them are pure joy, from time to time we play one that will be remembered for the rest of our days.

On Saturday, we had one of those parties, and we are still smiling, just thinking about it.

While the setting was picture perfect, (the weather was wonderful and the guests were friendly and fun), what made this event were the host and hostess.

Scott and Carrie were as wonderful and gracious as any amazing hosts we have ever worked for.  While planning their latest family reunion, they thought that they would include us to entertain their treasured guests.  We were so very glad that they did.

The two of them had heard us up at Bumper’s Landing, some time ago, and thought that we would be a great fit at their party.  They were so right.

Arriving early, (as we like), we were amazed at the beauty and warmness of their new home on the lake.  If you were a boater, or a lake person for that matter, you would have a very hard time finding any flaw in this picturesque setting.

We quickly noticed that our hosts left no detail to chance as they attended to our every need right from the moment we pulled in.

While some houses are beautiful, some statuesque, and some are well lived in, when you find the rare house that is all of that and more, it really grabs your attention.

Gustes were enjoying each and every facet of the deck, the yard, the spacious garage/bar or even the lake.  Kids and adults were equally entertained; and we hadn’t even played a note yet!

Since many of the guests and family were from out of town, they told us about their tradition of gathering to get a family photo, every two years or so.  It was a perfect way to capture the memory for the younger ones to have some day.

We were all set up and ready to go as the guests settled in to dine on the sumptuous eats from legendary, Slows restaurant.

After a while, we were ready to seize the night for ourselves.

We began easy enough with the usual boat music destined to evoke pleasurable thoughts of ocean and island; every song painting haunting images of relaxation and retreat from the everyday world.

Guests listened while they ate, smiling and clapping.  When dinner was over, many of the people took some time to see the house, congregate by the bar, fire or lake, listening as they mingled.

We played several songs that were requested by the group under the tent, and sent as many to the others who were perched lakeside to listen.

Just as the sun faded on the lake, the lights came on under the big tent.  Carl and knew that it was time to crank up the party to a respectable level the guests would never forget.  Somehow even the kids got involved with all the musical fun.

They Limbo‘d, they listened and they even did the Achey-breaky.  When we launched into Disney’s Under The Sea, from The Little Mermaid, those kids, (and some of the adults), nearly lost their minds!

It was so much fun, we never wanted to stop.

Pretty soon, we did have to stop, though.  The Java-Java, (Espresso bar on wheels) had arrived, and all that was left to do were a couple ceremonial shots with the hosts to stamp this perfect evening into our hearts and souls forever.

What a night!  Nothing I could write about could have made that night better.

Carl and I cannot thank Carrie and Scott enough for the wonderful treatment that we received at their amazing party.

We truly are grateful and hope to see them again in the months to come.

This gig was one of the good ones!

Rb

Why shouldn’t life be like a parade.

Think about that for a moment . . .

We witness the parade of so many things.

If we step back and look, we see so many things that parade before us.  Each sunrise.  each sunset. The days.  The years.  People, trends, ideas and actions.  They all parade past us on our crazy journey through life.

Everyone loves a parade.  And, if they don’t love it, they sure as heck would stop to watch it for a moment or two.

Nothing is more American than a parade.  Americans have loved them since they began this country.  We love to show off.  We love to get together as groups, and we certainly love to honor our best and brightest; our heroes and heroines

Saturday night at Bumper’s Landing, the big event was the annual Parade Of Lights on the mighty Clinton River.

At dusk the boats glide past, lighting up the evening, while Carl and I do our best to create a soundtrack to the aquatic phenomenon.

When we arrived much earlier in the day to set up our equipment for the night, it was interesting that there were less people there than on usual Saturdays.  Since the parade was not due to begin for several hours, it appeared that many would wait until later to venture out.

Another contributing factor to the smaller than usual turnout was Kenny Chesney.  He, of course is a huge fan favorite of the boat people.  So given those two factors, it took a little while until the deck was its’ usual packed self.  We could sense early on that the night would begin slow and eventually crescendo into what we have come to expect as the usual/unusual craziness tat is Bumper’s Landing.

Translation: we don’t have a clue what is going to happen next.

Something always does, though, you can always count on that.

Tonight, it was the “Lady with one shoe” dance show.  She and her partner, commandeered the deck as their own private dance studio, completely enthralling everyone that would watch with their visual artistry.  Enthralling everyone, until from the sheer force of her enchanting twisty turny diva-like gyrations, her flip-flop exploded with delight.

At that point, the Bumper’s staff was forced to invoke the time honored mantra: No shoes, no shirt, no service!  Pretty universal acceptable really.  Got to be a heath code thingy of some sort.

Well, the men certainly were not fans of that rule as the young lady was eventually relieved of her entertaining duties for the night.  Damn!

So back to the music.  We stepped up the next set as the deck began to fill for the evenings’ eventual high point.

Now there were many fun people desendinbg on the waterfront, many of them dressed up and ready to take on the glow of the nighttimes’ festivities.

On our break, we were given many requests to play some favorites that we might overlook ourselves.  We talked with lots of people who thanked us for the great music selections as we musically unveiled them.

There were people and pets and bachelorettes a-plenty.  Now, it was getting packed as evening fell and the mood grew expectant.

Though the parade seemed shorter this year, the lights did not disappoint.  There were many oohs and ahhhs as the water-crafts meandered past.

We finished strong, giving the dancers all they could handle, right up to the last note fell.

However, the finish-line for this particular night was moved to provide the maximum enjoyment for the patrons and on-lookers.

The powers-that-be at Bumper’s Landing, know how to put on a party, and did everything they could do so that this one would not end just yet.

We got the green light to play until one O’clock!

So, we began our “final” set at ten O’clock, and played until about eleven thirty.  At that time, we were told that we could play until one.  We took a five minute break and launched right into more crowd-pleasing dance music.

One O’clock seemed only moments away as the rest of the night was a mere blur.  Our final song reverberated down the water as another year’s parade faded into memory.

All in all, Carl and I had entertained for more than seven hours.  Long day, long night, but well worth it.  The patrons all seem to genuinely appreciate everything we do to help them have a wonderful evening.

Sometimes we actually see the things we do from the distance it takes to step away and objectively evaluate our hard work..

We do our best.  We prepare.  We execute.  We evaluate.  The days go by, one by one.  The years arrive and then retreat, faster and faster as we age.

We consider ourselves truly blessed to be able to do what we do at our age, when so many of our contemporaries have long since retired.

Each and every sunrise and sunset provide us the time we need to create our eventual legacy.

. . . A parade of lights that will pass us by if we let it.

Rb

A sleepy Saturday anywhere else would be just that.

Not at Bumper’s Landing.  There is no such thing.

Carl and I get in the van around four O’clock in the afternoon on a Saturday, to begin our musical “experience”.

Up until then, everything is quiet and complaisant.

All of that changes when we arrive at Bumper’s Landing.  That’s where the action is.

Always.

This Saturday was no different, as the summer now is in full bloom.  These boaters are in the groove by now, with their hearts and souls on autopilot.  They just know where the good times are, and steer right in that general direction.

Seems to me that Bumper’s is almost like Put-In Bay, North.  It’s crazy now.  We just hold on and hope to get through each night.  Kinda’ like gently guiding your canoe through the rapids as it careens towards the falls.

Like that.

So, our first set begins, and a young lady approaches from the east to play Tamborine.  She announced herself as Meghan, and decided to join our group for a while as apparently we needed a professional Tamborine player/dancer/singer/keyboard player.

She was right, of course.  We did.

Meghan was great fun, and certainly got all of the guys’ attention while set entertained with us.

The first sets this summer have really ben epic for us.  They have been long and fun and full of the diversity that is our musical trademark.  We try and play all kinds of music, so that everyone in the crowd feels included.

This afternoon was no different, as we threw in lots of alternatives to the usual musical fare as well.  Songs that might not have been the A side of a single.  You know the hidden gems that both of us love.

There were lots of good comments during our first break about the music that we had selected to begin the night.  It was getting busy and about now we could tell that it was going to be a big night.

During our second set, the Macomb Sheriff Department decided to liven things up even more as apparently a rogue swimmer who thought that it was a great idea to forge the Clinton River and jump onto someone’s boat, couldn’t afford an Uber.  So, they very generously gave him a ride.

We began throwing in some dance tunes as there were a few people brave enough to not care what anyone thought at the time.

That’s always a good feeling, when you have them dancing.

The best is when you have them singing along.  Then you know that you’re really doing your job.

Patrons, staff, dogs . . . everyone seemed to be having a good time.  Funny how fast things can ramp up here.  The Sheriffs returned again to patrol the establishment.

Great people watching, here.  No one can every deny that.

People laughing, singing and having fun.  Waitresses darting here and there.  Dogs wagging and barking, folks dancing and singing.  Great conversations.  Good food and an occasional drunken round-up.

Yup, sounds like your ordinary evening at Bumper’s Landing.

You know what?  How about next week, we throw in a parade of lights.  That should “liven” things up nicely.

See you then.  I don’t think that you’ll need your Nodoz.

Rb

“Oh but ain’t that America, for you and me
Ain’t that America, we’re something to see baby
Ain’t that America, home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses, for you and me, oh baby for you and me”

John Melloncamp

That’s about the best way that I can describe our trip to Howell last Saturday.

Everything about it was as American as you can get.  The setting, the weather, the people the entire experience.

Camping, swimming, playing and partying.  We saw it all at the Taylor’s Beach Campground, in rustic Howell Michigan.  Even a little bit of music.

First of all, let me explain why we weren’t at Bumper’s Landing as usual on this particular Saturday.

Last summer, we were approached about playing in Howell at a camp when our schedule allowed.  Seems they heard us at Bumper’s and wanted Carl and I to come up and play for a tropical themed day.  However, at the time, we had no openings, as we were booked all summer.  So, early on this year, we provided a date, and worked it out so that we could entertain for them on Saturday, and play Bumper’s on Friday.  That would keep everybody happy.  Especially, us.

So after an interesting Friday night by the water, we began the two hour trek to Howell, to play by the water, once more.

Soon, we arrived.  Meeting with Alan Taylor, the family patriarch is a real experience.  He is as American as anyone can be.  Self reliant, warm, strong and amiable.  Knowing that he wanted us to play was the driving force behind why we eventually made it happen.

As soon as we arrived at the campsite, he made us feel right at home.  Showing us around, getting us room to park and set up, and letting us know that we were to begin entertaining  . . . in one half hour!

The campground was big, yet, cosy at the same time.  it seemed to all revolve around the cute little lake, which was teeming with campers and sportsmen from one end to the other.

Getting set up quickly was an understatement, as we needed to outrace both the clock and the rain.  Four O’clock was time to begin our first set, as well as watch the casino night set up in the same pavilion we were occupying.  It was going too be a very interesting day, and or night.

The plan was to have a tropical themed party, and we did everything we could to make that happen.  We played song after song of island music, with some oldies and country dance music selections as well.

We played from four until about six, and then took a break to let the gamblers concentrate, and for us to meet some people.

Apparently there was to be a costume contest later, and one family of girls was going all-in to win.  Grandma, girls in grass skirts, and even the family dog doing her part to capture the top prize.

There were people everywhere doing everything camps-woodsy.  People were out and about and in and out of the animated lake.  Playing games, sitting by their campsites and whizzing around in all types of golf carts.  It was almost as if Dr. Seuss owned an RV!

After a short break, we got right back to playing again.  More tropical flavored songs to continue the vacation mood.  You could just tell that campers were loving it.

By now, the gambling was really taking hold of people, as the tables began to get crowded and quite loud.  Everyone was having fun.

Lots of the people even took time to welcome us to their little slice of heaven, and find out where wee were from.

Soon, it was time to wrap up the gambling and award some prizes.  Carl and I took a break and had some dinner.

Ribs were on the menu tonight and we wear ready to sample them.  The sun was about to set and nighttime fell on our little campsite pavilion.

Time to crank up the tunes to eleven!

Starting at nine thirty, we played all the summertime, tropical dance tunes that this group could handle.  We even threw in some country and rock numbers to round out the set.  The lights were low and the fog machine and disco lights filled the dance floor.

It was great fun as we played until ten thirty.  Then eleven.  Then eleven thirty, by request.

The crowd was going wild as we agreed to do one more.  And then, and encore.  We finished the night with a little John Denver traveling down his Country Roads.

You really can’t get more American that that.  It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.  Our hosts paid us, thanked us and invited us back again as soon as we could return.

They showed us out, got us some swag and sent us back home with big smiles and full bellies.

It was a very good trip.

Carl and I really didn’t know what to expect when we agreed to this event, but were pleasantly surprised.

Ain’t that America?

It sure is.

Rb

Little Pink Houses
John Mellencamp

It’s about the music.

And, the people.

Ok, so it’s about the music and the people.  So on an afternoon in July that could have turned for the worse at absolutely any moment, it was the music and the people that saved us.

Well, saved us might be a stretch.

What I meant was, that sometimes during the year, as entertainers, things become rote at some point; especially when you play at the same venue for a long period of time.

But the people always seem to save us at Bumper’s Landing.  Nothing is ever what we think that it will be; and above all, it is NEVER boring!

Anyone who visits for very long there eventually makes the same comment, “This is a great place to people watch!”

Ah, yes it is.

You can see people from all walks of life there.  All having a wonderful time, just relaxing and being themselves.  Or, who they want to be. (for a little while).

So, as the sky threatened trouble, we ignored it all, and were rewarded with another wonderful, memorable evening but the water.

Looking to begin with a little twist on our usual first set selections, we began with some, ah, usual Jimmy Buffett; but then veered off in a totally different direction.

Someone in mentioned to us how since the last time they were there, they asked us to play some Lyle Lovett, and we said that we would try and learn some, and of course, now there were calling us out on it.

Ah, but Carl did learn some Lyle Lovett, and was all ready to go with it.  And, you know what, it was really good, too.

Just another example of how people will always surprise you.

Like I said, the clouds were threatening, and of course, the local and national weather experts, all to a man,(or woman), said that it was going to rain.

Long story short . . . nope.  It didn’t rain.  Didn’t snow and it mostly didn’t hurricane.

So, we forged ahead.

You must understand that at this point, everyone kinda leaves the final decision to us.  If we get to Bumper’s we know that most everyone comes to be by the water.  So, playing inside, though nice, is just not the same.

We start out by the water, and know that if anything becomes wet, we can always move inside.  It’s a lot more work, but then again anything in life that is worthwhile is a lot like that.

People with lots of smiles usually await us here.  Since we have been entertaining at Bumper’s for more than three years, we know most of the regulars by now.  That makes most of the smiles every more rewarding.

A perfect example of that would be Mike and Jessica.  While not regulars, they were something new and different on this rare Friday night.  Mike was signing up boaters to be part of the Guinness world record attempt at the Muscamoot bay raft-off on August 11th.

Back to the music, Carl and I have been doing all we can to integrate new, (old), songs into our nights.  We spend all week working on them individually, and then put them together in front of the audience.

It works most of the time.

Tonight, we played several new songs for the first time, with mixed results.  We played some Lyle Lovett, some Neil Diamond and some DeBarge.

Just about then, the strolling lady rhythm section arrived to thoroughly entertain everyone, including ourselves.

They danced, they shook and they rhythm their way into everyone’s hearts.

Great fun.

But on this interesting night, the most memorial song was an old Mexican folk song that was turned into a huge hit, way back in the fifties, by a man named, Richie Valens.

A young lady requested La Bamba, just at the right time, as the dance floor was hopping.  Playing that timeless hit put things into another gear all together.

It’s the kind of thing that happens most every night here, and why we say, that it is never boring.

It was another fun, fun evening by the lake.

We can count on a lot of things when we are going to play there, but one of them is not boredom.

The weather, the people and the music all have the effect of putting the patrons in a great mood.  It is the perfect tonic for what ails ya.

If you missed it, you should know that it would have been even better if you were there.  This is that classic summer that we will look back fondly on for years to come.

Don’t let it slip away . . . .

Rb

“I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”

Whitney Huston

People ask us why we drive two hours to Bay City on a Wednesday morning in the summer, and this is our answer.  Surly we could be doing other things.  Yes, we could.  However, children are our future.  And bringing them music is something that means a great deal to both Carl and I.

This year we we’re lucky enough to have been asked to come back to the city by the bay, (no, not San Francisco, the other city by this bay). Bay City.

Actually the ride up in the van was a great time to talk about all the things that we have achieved this summer, already, and over our long career as local musicians.  Probably no way to make the ride any better.  Well, maybe one way . . .

Anywho, we were chatting about how long that we have been doing this, and it brought us back to the old days and how we packed four of us young lads in a van to get to our gigs.  Add lots and lots of musical gear, and you’re in for a good time.  Just ask the Boys.

So, where were we?

Ah yes, the city by the bay . . .

Driving up through the scenic Michigan countryside gave us time to figure out about how many songs that would possibly cram into 45 minutes.  Yes, we were driving all that way to only play forty-five minutes?

Why?

Because of the children, remember?

As Whitney so eloquently put it, they are our future.  Be nice to them, because they will be the ones visiting us in the home.  Or, maybe not visiting.

So it was a slam-bang, live on the racer’s edge, laugh in the face of death kinda whirl-wind set of songs that kids to could relate to.

We began with the classic feel-good tune, You are my sunshine.  One that children and parents alike should each be invested in.

Then we did some We-mo-whacking to the Lion Sleeps Tonight, and then straight into The Unicorn Song.

You see where this is going?

Kid nirvana.  Throw in a generous amount of balls, whistles, shakers and props of all ilks and you have the makings of a matinee hit!

The forty-five minutes vaulted by, until it was time for our big finish . . . Under The Sea.  Nothing kids like better than being wet!  (even some adults).

Before you knew it, Carl and I were on our way and heading back home.  We did what we set out to do; bring some fun to Bay City.  And we did accomplish that.

Apparently there will be a brand new amphitheater down the road on this very location in the future.  We certainly hope that we will be a part of it when it is ready to welcome more kids in the years to come.

Children are our future.  Our music is a bridge from things that were meaningful in years past to what we envision our kids to enjoy in the days they have awaiting them.

That is our gift.  We are so very lucky to be able to share it with Bay City, and every city we play in between.

Rb

Well, you get the reference, hopefully.

All the unrest and turmoil that the French have come to associate with Bastille Day was nowhere to be found by the water in Harrison township Michigan on this particular, amazing day.

Whew.

Its was a very pleasant afternoon as we took the pavilion at Bumper’s Landing.  Hot, but nice.  It was fun and upbeat, with everyone in great spirits, looking forward to an impending night of musical enjoyment.  Too bad it was us they we’re listening to!

So the summer night was in full swing with lots of drinking, eating and relaxing to be had.  There were even those that wanted to dance, of all things!

Why not.

We could arrange that.  It was apparent that both Carl and I were in a bit of an eclectic mood, as the crowd and the weather conspired to turn up our creativity nob to eleven.

There we’re all sorts of songs that we treasure and only pull out when we believe that the people we are playing for would appreciate them.  Most of the time, the patrons want to hear a certain kind of music that is expected.  Like, “boat” music.  We get that most of the time, that genre goes over very well with the nautical type.  That being said, there are times when we want to be a little selfish, and do some songs that we really enjoy playing.

Songs like, Galway Girl, Big Iron or even Into The Mystic.  We love these songs.  Although we treasure them, they my not be for everyone, or even every venue that we entertain at.

So it was that kind of a night.  We balanced requests with some songs that we really wanted to play for ourselves and made it a perfectly eclectic musical evening.

Great friends, lots of family and even meeting one or two new people cast a perfect spell on this enchanted evening.

By the water, with drinks aplenty and guitars at the ready.  That’s how you spend any day you can get your hands on.  Although we weren’t doing anything that would provoke the French Foreign Legion to throw us into the Bastille to rot, we were pretty devil-may-care with our last set song selection.

Who knows, if playing music badly was a crime, we could be arrested and wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.

But not tonight.  Tonight, we had almost everything we could ever want; including our  FREEDOM!

Rb

Back in Eastpointe for another summer show.  Always a good time, always fun, always entertaining.  Sometimes its quite hot, playing on the cement slab by the Eastpointe offices, but always a reason to smile.

We arrived early, and this time, needed to avoid the street sweeper guy who had it out for us.  Dodging that bullet, it was a pretty easy experience setting up our gear.

Playing in Eastpointe always gives us lots of musical options when it comes to what we can play.  They like all types and genres of music, and even an Irish tune or two.

Since the summer was truly upon us, there was no doubt that we would begin with our trademark, Jimmy Buffett song or two, to get us started on the right musical foot.

The good folks who arrived for the concert were all very welcoming, right from the onset, as we took several requests in the first few moments.

There were Van Morrison, Jimmy Buffett and even some Neil Diamond songs that were asked about.  All of them sounded just perfect on this wonderful summer night.  People were happy and very cordial.  Who could ask for anything more?

Eastpointe has become almost timeless to Carl and I, since we have been playing in this community for more than forty years now.  The only thing that differs over the years has been the location of the concert venue.

Be it Kennedy, Spindler or the recreation center, we always enjoy the opportunity to entertain for these great people.

We both hope to come back next year, as we have many, many more songs that need to be heard.

Now, it’s time to enjoy another Eastpointe treasure . . .  Cloverleaf pizza!

Well, we’ve earned it!

Rb