Twice in the last month, Carl and I have played at the Three Blind Mice on Saturday night; and twice now, it has been epic!

Though slow to begin with; eventually this night rebounded quite nicely.  What we really enjoyed on this particular night was the fact that several tables arrived at 7:00, and stayed unit the very end.  Offering us the wonderful opportunity to get to know them along the way.  For us, that end came after midnight, to the raucous sounds of Neil Diamonds’ “Sweet Caroline”!

Ok, let’s rewind, shall we . . .

It was kind of slow at 6:30 as we set up our equipment in front of the statley whiskey barrels.  Although the early dinner time was winding down, there were actually some tables without patrons to fill them.  However, as you will see, that didn’t last very long.

Enter Guinness Blonde!

Just when things seems destined to be slow and sleepy; a beautiful girl and amazing gentleman from Guinness came to the rescue – (With Guinness Blonde in hand).

They were dispensing some of the new ale, in both samples and collectable glassware.

It has been my experience that a hot woman dispensing free beer pretty much gets everyone’s attention, and tonight was no exception.  While they poured, we played.  While they gave away free samples; we put our heart and soul into each and every song.  The formula worked!  Before we could even blink, the entire pub was packed and gyrating nicely.  Friends we smiling, patrons were laughing, and our new best friend, Lisa was playing a mean tambourine!

I can say one this for certain on this rollicking Saturday night; everyone who was there was having a great time.  So many people, so many happy faces; so many smiles.  We also recieved lots and lots of song advice, (which we loved).  And in the end, without fail every song seemed to fit, just right.

We met a great group of guys who not only helped us decide on what to play next; but also helped us sing along, just when we needed it most.  (which is pretty much always).

In addition, we met a trio of sailors from Selfridge who are currently stationed in Sicily; that took time off from protecting our freedom, to make sure everyone had a memorable time.

It was truly not another Saturday night; but another night of total enjoyment by everyone.  As always, we are looking forward to being right back there in two weeks to do it all again!

RB

Click HERE to listen to Bob and Carl’s second set from Saturday night!

Hey everyone,

We have been working hard to make a lot of improvements to the webpage that you may or may not have noticed.

Take a look:

• Finally got the LISTEN LIVE page working.  Now you can listen to our latest show, if you happened to miss it.  Listen and let us know what you think.

• Re-formatted all of our posts to look better than ever.  (Ok, you won’t really notice that one.  But I sure do!)

To all you Twitter-Heads! . . . .

• Bob and Carl are now on TWITTER.  Not really sure why, but hey, we are dragging ourselves into the next digital age, wether we like it or not.  So, uhm, there is now a link, (that works) on our front page.  All you Twitter-files should tweet at us.  (or, in us. or around us, whatever it takes).

Past Events

While we performed our very first musical “gig” in the summer of 1972, we only began saving the information from those gigs in the 80’s.  We began recording most all of our shows in the 2000’s.  So, we have done a bit to archive our musical careers, so to speak.

• What we have now on-line, is a link to not only our EVENTS page, but also, our PAST EVENTS.  By clicking one of our links, you can take a peak at the list of shows we did corresponding to that calendar year.  For now, we have every year listed beginning with 1991.  Hopefully soon, we will do our best to fill in the other dates, way back to the 70’s.

Please remember . . .
Everything we do, we do for you; our fans.  If there is some new feature or content you have seen; send us a link.  Give us a shout-out.  But, please tell us.  Fill out the form on this, or any page and lets us know.  Our fans have great ideas all the time for music or places to play, or just things in general.  Don’t hold back, now is your chance to share your valuable thoughts.

Ok, more improvements to come, I promise! . . .

Rb

A little different for us on a Saturday night at the “Mice”.

It began the same: Cold night, tromping’ through the snow to set up in front of the whiskey barrels.  The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub was packed to the walls before we even offered a note.

However, as of late, when we begin to play at 7:00, several of the tables who came to eat dinner; (and thought that maybe they would be blown out by the loud offensive music),  would get up and promptly exit.  Leaving us to start anew building the crowd up again; as they got comfortable with us and our sound.

And yet, on this night,(a Saturday; not our usual Friday night), no one got up to leave.  On the contrary, more and more people pored in; filling the tables to overflowing.  Kind of a nice problem to have.

Our first set, which on most nights would be a little more laid back, was anything but that on this night.  On the contrary; we rocked the house right out of the gate!

Carl had to keep telling me that it was only the first set, and to hold on .  . .

Well, we did make it through the night; and it even slowed a little at the midnight hour.  But, all-in-all it was a very good night.

Once again, we met some very nice patrons.  People who took time out of their night to stop us and offer kind words of thanks for helping them enjoy this bitter winter; if only for a brief night.

As always . . .  it is our great pleasure and privilege to share our talents with those who would seek out a way to stave off the cold, looming winter winds as long as they can.

See everyone on the 20th!  (Friday O’ Friday!)

 

Rb

 

Sometimes, your friends pull you through.

Friday night, Carl and I had the good fortune of enjoying an entire night of good friends, good drinks and good music.  (Ok, wait, it was our music, so well, you know . . . )

We were visited by some people that we haven’t seen in a long while; some that have become fans recently, and even some that we were surprised to have show up for the evening.  What a wonderful treat for us.

It is truly the fans and friends that keep us entertained and entertaining through the years; and we just cannot forget to thank them all.

We are lucky and we know it, to still be able to play our songs for our family, friends and fans.  So I am going to make certain that I thank everyone for being there.  We know its cold, and a bit of a pain to have to make that long drive.  But when people continue to show up smiling and making us feel needed, it keeps us going, through it all.

Carl and I often talk about how unkind this business can be, with all the pitfalls and disappointments that have befallen us; and how it is the people that make it ultimately worthwhile.  People do make a difference in how and if they percieve our efforts, just as in every avocation.  That being said, since we have never really been motivated by money, it is only in how we are appreciated that keeps us playing.

It was busy as usual at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in Mt. Clemens.  People were enjoying a warm night of good food and drinks when we began at seven.

Seven o’clock is also usually about when many people get up and leave after finishing their dinner.  However, on this night, many stayed to give us a chance at some after dinner singing.  I say that because, we do see lots of people singling along to our musical selections.  There is nothing more rewarding.

Upstairs was a new band, working very hard at filling the big shoes on the big stage.  Tin Scribble had their first go around at playing the Mice, and hopefully it was rewarding for them.  They were working very hard to fill the night and the room with some pulsating rock to be remembered.  While we watched, the sounds of classic Zepplin were being re-imagined by several gifted musicians.

It is a real treat to be able to go upstairs at the pub on any given night, and enjoy incredibly talented musicians, giving their all to entertain the patrons.  A real credit to the staff and owners of the this amazing establishment.

We have a week off now, and then we will return on a rare Saturday night at the Irish Mice.  It will probably still be cold, and winter and maybe even snowing; but we will be there.  And, hoping that our friends will come out and get us through another night; just as you always have.
Rb

Good bye to 2014.

It was a very bittersweet last, Friday night show that we played recently at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in Mount Clemens.  There were some wonderful memories of the past, first year for the new pub, and we didn’t really even have time to reflect on them.  It was just too damned busy!

Good thing for us.  Good thing for them too, as the night unfolded quickly after a slow first half hour.  It got busier and busier until it was busting at the seems.

Never a problem downstairs at the Mice.  And, upstairs was hoppin’ too.  Paper Cover’s Rock was cranking out the jams, while the dance floor sported all types of beautiful women.  Never a problem, as we see it.

It was a great night for all present.  The music was good the drinks were flowing and the vibe was happiness-on-a- bar-stool, as it always should be.

We enjoyed playing many dates in 2014.  We began even before the Pub was technically open to the public.  We were there for the beginning, first year.  And, we sure look forward to being there for the next . . . .

Rb

 

Christmas time’s A-com’n!

That’s how we’ve begun each and every Bob and Carl Holiday Extravaganza for more than 20 years now.

The kids all know by now, upon hearing those fateful words, that the greatest kids’ show on Earth was about to begin.  What transpires next is an hour of the most fun a child can have.  Well, fun that doesn’t rot their teeth, that is.

They sing, they dance, they put on costumes of their favorite Christmas characters and for the most part . . . just enjoy the magic of being a kid at this time of year.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that school is nearly done until the next year pokes its’ head out of the snow.  Couple that together with a show where a child can interact with their friends, their teachers and even their principal, and still be wild and crazy; you’ve got the makings of one epic good time.

Having played all those years doesn’t mean that the show is stagnant of even a tired re-run of last year.  Our show is ever changing and growing.  There are of course, all the classic bits that have endured over the years.  So good that without them the kids would miss a great chance to see what has made the show so unique for so long.  Be the real testament to the show’s longevity is how due to Carls’ genius, the show always has new elements that keep it relevant and insightful.

This year for instance, the kids all got a crack at putting on their own television ad, in real time; using props and carefully selected sight gags.

But the true joy of these shows is not the crazy funny bits, costumes or even the songs themselves; the real joy of the show is seeing everything through their eyes.  Its the children, young and old that we are here for.  Its the wide-eyed wonder that we see reflected on their faces at every stop in our tour.

Take a look back now at our Bob and Carl Holiday Extravaganza, and see if you can envision the very spirit of the season, radiating from each and every happy child!

Rb

The very last thing that any entertainer wants to see, ten minutes before they plug-in to take the stage, is half of the club getting up in unison, to leave.  But, that is just what happened to us on this Friday night.

Sometimes at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, the 7:00 start means that the 5:30 dinner crowd is all done and ready to head home.  And sometimes, if they happen to linger a wee bit after seven, we can musically persuade them to stay around, even when they had planned on being home.

Not in this case.  Right before we got ready to sing our first song, most everyone left.

That only meant one thing: we would have to work even harder on this particular night to turn things around.

Now don’t get me wrong; Carl and I like a good challenge.  And this night provided one for sure.  Entertaining is a lot like opening a Christmas present from your uncle Clark:  you’re never really sure what you’re going to get.  Some nights its a sweater; and some nights its a brand new shiny I-Pad!

Undaunted from the beginning, we played song after song, as the night proceeded, and the tables slowly filled.  And after the second set, the Mouse was busting at the seems with a wide-eyed chorus of holiday carolers.

This Christmas package seemed empty at first, but quickly multiplied like a set or Russian nesting dolls.  Nesting dolls that drank and sang, a lot!

With things nicely in hand on the bottom floor at the Mice, it was time to venture upstairs to see what was happening.  And, a “happening” was just what was going on!

Monkey Grinder was in the middle of a jam that had everyone’s eyes on the stage.  The two lead singers were “tag-teaming” the lyrics like a wrestling duo that would not be denied!

The crowd loved every self inflicted word, as the unrelenting groove writhed higher and higher into the night.  No one or no entire band out-works Monkey Grinder.  They turn any place they play into their own personal “Empire State building”. Climbing and clawing their way to the top . . . only to dive head first to the pavement below.  It may not be healthy; but it sure is entertaining.

From that point on, through the end of a night, (that didn’t really end for us until far after the midnight hour); we could only hold on for dear life, as the audience took control of the every single thing we played and drank.

We played – they sang.  We played – they danced.

We all shared a huge present that no one really expected when they arrived.

But, some very special gifts are like that.  Sometimes the best gift is something you never expected in the first place.  Like having and epic night, when you thought that it would be truly forgettable.

Sometimes you never know just what you’ll get.

Rb

It was Thursday afternoon, and all through the house; not a creature was stirring, not even Bob or Carl.

That was UNTIL the phone rang. On the other end of the call was a new friend that we met at the Three Blind Mice a few weeks earlier. He wanted to know if we could come to St. Clair Shores and entertain their real estate holiday party, that evening.

Sometimes these last-minute parties were just the thing to shake us out of our regular hum-drum routine. Although were were set to play the very next day; a Thursday night gig was just what the doctor ordered.

We loaded up the gear, and set the auto-pilot to stun.  We were on our way.

In a very short time, we were setting up everything to play at the Lakeland Manor in beautiful Saint Claire Shores, Michigan.

It had probably been thirty years since the last time that we played there, but then again, not much had changed in our opinions.  (only us).

The people were very friendly and decked out in their holiday finery. While the men looked dapper, the women looked amazing. It was a very classy affair, to be sure. The only thing missing was some holiday music.

After everyone concluded their annual “White Elephant” gift exchange, it was time to dance. And dance they did. It was only when the lights came up that people began to filter out and head home.

It was a very festive mood, infused with lots of good holiday cheer. Maybe down the road we will see them again, someday. But, until then, we will just smile and enjoy all the holiday cheer that we shared on this un-looked for night.

RB

It seems like people are already in “Holiday Mode”, as the fall winds and cooler temps put an icy grip on our summer hearts.  We all know that it is so much colder and darker than we can willfully tolerate, yet at the same time there is really not much we can do about it.

So . . .  “Let’s Dance!”

Ok, maybe that’s an oversimplification of how we all reacted last Friday night at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in Mount Clemens, but it IS how lots of us felt.

Folks were in an festive mood as the night unfolded and the music, food and ale turned the cold and dark gloom into a warm, wonderful party atmosphere conducive for an early celebration.

Carl and I met some wonderful people from several different cities, all enjoying the Pub’s unique vibe.  There were some from Royal Oak, some from Centerline and others from closer locals, all coming together as one as the infectious music gathered them up.

After everyone got more comfortable with the atmosphere, and after some tables were moved, patrons felt the desire to do some dancing to express their holiday mood.  After all, there is a short work-week looming on the horizon, and we all need a break; right?

With all the dancing, singing and even some cuddling (curtesy of Elvis Presley) happening downstairs; what about the second floor of the Mouse house?

Upstairs Rock It Science was doing what THEY do best.  Rockin’ it!  People up there were dancing all night, from start to finish.  Rock it Science knows how to play, and that is maybe an understatement. You can tell what a great job they do, by simply looking at the happy, rev’d up satisfied partiers.

It was a very good night, a triumphant return for Bob and Carl.  It was the unofficial beginning to the well deserved holiday season.  And, we all believe, it will only get better from here.

Rb