Yes, its summer, and what a summer it has been.

It began a bit cool, but has warmed up nicely into as perfect a summer as anyone can remember.  All we needed to do at this point was to steer things in the right direction, with our music.  Got it!

Summer allows us the musical freedom that we sometimes don’t get in other seasons of the year.  Summer is more laid-back; more reeeee-laxing.

To paraphrase Gershwin – “Summer time  . . . . . an the living’ is easy!“

With the advent of summer, comes a myriad of musical memories, all stored and ready to be re-awakened; all it takes is one musical line or melody, and all of those memories come flooding back.

Memories of relaxing on the beach with friends; exploring the scenic bounty of our country, or cruising with your best girl.

All of those forgotten thoughts and feelings, once lost, can be re-ignited by simply hearing the music that was imprinted on them when created.  Funny how that works.  How a song, or a smell or a sight can tap into feelings in a way that goes beyond conscious thought.  Almost primal in the responses that they mine.

This summer, for us, has brought back many memories, already.  Memories of playing many wonderful shows over the years.  Picnics, weddings, gatherings and events.  Wonderful memories that we have created, playing and giving of our youth, in the service of song.

Though we have enjoyed the re-telling of each musical recollection, we have also been making some fresh, new ones this summer, as well as re-connecting with some old friends.

We have played at the Three Bind Mice, the Shelby Art Fair and various camp fires and back yards throughout the state.

Join us on the last phase of our summer celebration.

There is still plenty of time to make memories we will be sharing for summers to come.  Why not join us?

Rb

 

 

On Thursday of last week, (later that evening, after we played Marshbank Metropark), Carl and I returned to our home-away-from-home, The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, in Mount Clemens, Michigan.  However, this time it wasn’t for the usual reason, in the usual place, on the usual night in the usual way.  (sounds, unusual, right?).

Ryan Taylor and Kelsy Dettloff were to be married.

We were to play for the rehearsal dinner at The Mice.  They did, and we did, and we had a wonderful time.

We arrived earlier in the day to load in the equipment.  It was quiet at the Mice, but cordial, as the friendly staff was eager to help in any way that they could.

So we loaded our equipment up the long stairway to the big stage upstairs.  We have seen lots and lots of acts upstairs, but have never gotten the chance to play there ourselves.

One thing that I didn’t expect was how good the sound was in that location.  Meaning . . . how it sounded to us.

We have learned, over the years that all great music venues have incredible musical/architectural characteristics.  (Translation), in the old Macomb theater, (which was built by the same company who built Carnage Hall), you could stand at the back of the last row of seats, and actually hear a pin drop on stage.  The acoustics were that good.

The big stage, upstairs at the Three Blind Mice, is every bit as acoustically sound.

We could hear everything.  Ourselves, the audience, the boos and even clinking glasses downstairs.  Incredible.

We played for a few hours.  First, low key dinner music.  Then the pace picked up as the food was consumed, and the drinks were flowing.

What a wonderful group of friends and relatives.  They all seemed to enjoy each other, as the night progressed.  Rare when an entire assembly of people seem to so genuinely enjoy each others’ company.  That translates to a smooth, happy night for us.

After the dinner was finished and the drinks took their desired effect, it was time for the toasting and boasting about the future of this amazing couple.

As for the toasting, it was warm and playful.  Some jokes, some ribbing and lots of visions of their long future together.

As for the boasting . . .   well lets just say that it can be quiet refreshing to view the world through the eyes of the young, or in some cases, the young at heart.

Time to crank up the music.  we did.  They did.  We even played their “entering the reception” music, for the them to practice too.

All in all, it was a great time.  Well rehearsed, well planned and well enjoyed.

As our last song ebbed, to close the long day, the dreaded shouts of, “Encore!” rang through the pub. . .

Carl offered, “Since Ryan was marrying a Disney princess . . . would you like to hear a Disney song?”

They did, and so we ended the wonderful night of this long day, playing “Under The Sea”, to an excited group of young nearly-newlyweds.

What I will never forget . . .

as the song ended, one of the groomsmen yelled . . . “Best encore ever!”

Yes, yes it was.

Note: After you enjoy the picture, click below on the links that will take you to the wedding!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the link to their engagement website

Update:  The wedding was more of the wonderful, happy, hopeful same!  Nothing but good things ahead for these two kids!  See for yourself, as we include some pictures from their big day.

The Wedding of Ryan & Kelsy

Rb

By Mitch Hotts, The Macomb Daily

Tattoo artist plans to revive the Hayloft rock bar in Mount Clemens
Heather Hayes and Amy Campa worked at the Hayloft before it closed in 2011. Hayes will return as a social media manager, while Campa will be a bartender. RAY SKOWRONEK — THE MACOMB DAILY

The front patio needs extensive repairs before the club can re-open. The large rear patio also needs to be cleaned up. RAY SKOWRONEK — THE MACOMB DAILY
A former landmark saloon in downtown Mount Clemens may be resurrected later this month with the return of live music.

The Hayloft, which has roots in the city dating back to the 1970s but closed in 2011 due to money problems, will host rock bands when it opens around Halloween, said Robert Adams, a tattoo artist who has worked in the entertainment industry.

He has plenty to do — the 12,000-square-foot building was left in shambles by the previous owner. There’s a hole in the roof in the rear and a persistent squatter who camps out overnight on the patio, but Adams is optimistic about the future.

“I don’t think we’ll have a problem getting the word out — everyone we’ve heard from is pretty excited,” he said.

Adams, 42, looked at a number of potential sites including Harpo’s in Detroit, the I-Rock Club in Detroit and old churches in Detroit for an electronic dance club concept he was considering. When someone brought the Hayloft to his attention, along with its storied past of hosting national bands, he decided to head over to Mount Clemens.

“We looked at quite a few places, but I feel this one has real potential,” said Adams, who has operated a tattoo studio and a rock club in Ludington, Mich.

The Hayloft was initially opened as a country bar in 1974 by Colin Trainor and his father, Neil, who created a thriving country music bar hosting stars such as Carl Perkins, John Anderson and Larry Atkins. After 25 years in the business, they sold it in 1988 to Ron Masters and Dale Malinowski. Masters later bought out Malinowski.

Over the years, the bar became known for its rock bands. In mid-2011, the bar underwent remodeling and was expected to headline Bret Michaels for a grand opening but was shut down by Macomb County in October 2011 due to foreclosure after Masters failed to keep up with his payments.

Talmer Bank, which held the bar’s mortgage, bid $647,000 for the property, according to court records. In addition, the bank’s attorneys said the past owners left the building badly damaged.

Brian Kramer, owner of several Rosie O’Grady’s pubs, is now the owner of the building. He is leasing it to Adams.

The bar has several building code violations that will have to be addressed before a certificate of occupancy can be secured.

On Wednesday, Adams said he plans to bring in a work crew to begin a massive cleanup with plans to open with three-day celebration Oct. 30-Nov. 1. He wants to install LED-illuminated panels throughout the interior to give it a dance-club vibe.

“We’re already hearing from some pretty big bands, like Alien Ant Farm, who want to play here,” he said. “The word is getting out.”

Mike Mitchell, who formerly ran the Hayloft when Masters was the owner and is a guitarist in the band Critical Bill, said he hopes the revival works. He may come on board as the talent booker.

“This place is a landmark for the east side,” Mitchell said. “People in the Mount Clemens are dying for it to come back and have live shows again.”

As the temps begin to fall, and the days now get short; we opened our show at 9:00 this Friday. A departure from our comfortable 8:00 start time that we had be accustomed to for the better part of the last year. We will now begin our show an hour later, until we hear otherwise. Nine O’clock it is!

The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub was mostly full of happy patrons as we began our set on this beautiful Michigan evening. The Tigers had an important game on the TV, the food was creating an irresistible aroma that most of the patrons could not resist. Top that with any wine, liquor or ale that you could possibly ever imagine; and throw in great conversation and atmosphere for good measure. Now, you have the recipe for a truly enjoyable evening. (As long as we didn’t screw things up, it would be a win – win for everyone).

Well, I don’t think we did, as we had some great conversations throughout the evening, while entertaining new friends. One of the really enjoyable aspects of playing the “Mice” is the fact that most of the revelers are literally right on top of us. Tables are so close in the front, that we can actually rest our beer right on them. Having people be that close, gives us the chance to let them open up about what they love to hear. And that is good for everyone.

We never have a planned set list when we entertain. We might begin the set with a song or two in mind, but after that, we go where the music and the clientele takes us. Some times that’s good, some times its bad, but more times than not, it makes for an experience that everyone enjoys. When you get that instant feedback, as an entertainer, it really helps us do our job better. We want to do the best job that we can each and every week, and take great pride in doing so. We might not be that talented, but we always try and be as professional as we can. We hope that it shows.

The band upstairs sounded great as three guys blasted out the rock, to the delight of the upstairs crowd. All in all it was a good night for staff, musicians and lucky local patrons. As the fall is right around the bend, we are hoping for lots more to come . . .

 Three Blind Mice Irish Pub is a lot of things; and one of them is family.  When one of their own is hurting, they all rally together to do what they can.

And so it was on Tuesday, July 15 2014 when the entire Pub came out to support Suzy Mizinski, who was having a tough time with Cancer.

From The Macomb Daily:
The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens will host an all-day fundraiser Tuesday for a server there who is a breast cancer patient.

Owner Brad Teagan set up the fundraiser for Suzy Mizinski, who is described as a beloved co-worker and friend.

“She’s just a beautiful person inside and out,” said general manager Danielle Roberts. “She’s one of those non-judgmental people who is carefree and lives each day to the fullest.”

The event will run from 11 a.m. through closing at 2 a.m., with 15 percent of the day’s sales and 100 percent of silent auction proceeds going to Mizinski.

A number of Macomb County businesses have been gracious enough to donate items for the auctions including a 40-person bowling package from Rec Bowl, wedding vows or renewals by LaDonna Weddings, a 40-inch LED SmartTV from Sargent Appliance, a fishing charter from Sea J Charters and many more.

Three Blind Mice is located at 101 N. Main Street. For more information, call 586-961-6371.

It was a great night of support.  People from all walks of life came together in an outpouring of giving; to bring Suzy the message, that she is not alone in her fight.

There were donations, gifts, friends and family present; with each person reaffirming the theme, that she is not alone in her struggle.

Entertainment was also on hand to add a touch of music to this important night.  Shelby and Co. took the outdoor patio stage at 4, and then was followed by Kevin Covert at 8 until midnight.  Inside Bob and Carl entertained while urging patrons and well wishers to donate to this important cause with each song request.

There was even a special guest who sat in and wowed the audience with her vocal talents.

All in all, it was a night to remember.  A night to give, and a night that will let Suzy know just how much people care.

There are times in your life when you become fortunate enough to meet special people.  People who just seem to see life from a different perspective.  For whatever reason they have a unique quality that appears so special that it almost cannot be defined; other than to simply say, they posses a “light” about them.

When you meet one of these special people, the feeling is so profound, and such a revelation, that it cannot be ignored or go unnoticed.  We simply cannot deny the light in them, because it, in turn, lights our own lives.

They are happy, energetic, positive people that spend their days expressing the world around them in ways other people only wish they could.  In writings, in action and in song.   But beyond most of these things, these special people express their unique light in the example that they live each and every day.

They shine.

And, in doing so, illuminate OUR lives, to take away some of the darkness we all feel.  They give us hope.  They keep us driven on the right path.  They show is the delight in all things.  And, in turn, our lives are much better for it.

Bob and Carl – Let It Shine

Let It Shine

7/29/2011

In this world of cold and dark
I had lost my way
Then at last, I saw your light
And night became the day.

Let it shine . . . on me
Cast the dark away
Let it shine . . . on me
And I will find my way

Each one of us must make a choice
To do what’s wrong or right
To step on those too weak and small
Or step into the light

Let it shine . . . on me
Cast the dark away
Let it shine . . . on me
And I will find my way

Never, ever, are you alone
To bear the weight of that stone
No matter how far from home

And when I’m down and on my own
With nothing left to fight
I’ll raise my hands
Fall to my knees
And bathe within your light!

Let it shine . . . on me
Cast the dark away
Let it shine . . . on me
And I will find my way

Rb

At 10:00 on St. Paddy’s day, Carl and I entered the WDIV Channel 4 studios in Detroit, Michigan to be featured on their Live In The D telecast with Karen Drew and Guy Gordon. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences that we have shared in our long careers; and not because of where we were, or what we were doing; but because of the kindness and energy of the entire cast and crew of the show. When I say that Guy and Karen could not have been nicer to us, that is without any exaggeration at all. Not only them, but the entire crew welcomed us and made us feel like valuable contributors on the broadcast. We can’t say that it was easy; I suppose that LIVE television never has been, but it WAS exhilarating! Carl wore an ear-piece so that the producer could give him momentary cues as to what they wanted and when. We never knew if the short musical “bumper” they needed would have vocals or be only instrumental. That fact, and the length of the show content, kept us on our toes throughout the entire sixty minutes. When we finished, and the last Irish sing-a-long was wrapped; we received high praise from the everyone on the show. They seemed to all be very appreciative of the job we did; as we were of them. Many thanks to Karen, Guy, Jay, Randy, Kevin and Laurie. We can’t say enough good things about working with Channel 4. We hope that we get another opportunity to work with them down the road . . .

Enjoy this panorama of the WDIV Live In The D set.

If you saw the telecast, please leave us a comment and tell us what you thought . . . Rb