Events

Labour Day 2014 is now in the books.  We were lucky this year as the rain held off just long enough for us to entertain the membership at the Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester Michigan.

Having played for each summer holiday for more than twenty years, we are always surprised and honored when we are asked back to entertain for another year.

To say that it is a pleasure to play at the Great Oaks is an understatement, as the entire staff as well as the members are always so happy and pleasant to us, year in and year out.

We set up by the pool and try and frame our music to create memories that will last for many years, as well as evoke some long past.  The pool, the food the staff and those smiling, happy members keep us coming back, year after year.

Carl and I are already looking forward to another opening of the summer season on Memorial Day 2015, if all goes well.

See you then!

So its Labour Day weekend . . .and if you are an self-respecting Michigander, you realize that the precious few summer days are coming to a close.  Time to grab every last moment and hold it as tightly as possible until someone throws a football in your direction.

Well on this Friday night, that has already transpired.  Baseball was on the TV; but it was also time to usher in the new college football season, with “Sparty” looking quite impressive at their home opener.

Time does march on; season after season.  But, some things remain classics for our entire lives; transcending days, seasons and even years themselves.  Those are the types of songs that Carl and I have always tried to keep in our repertoire.  Classics that stand the test of time and talent.  (or, in OUR case . . . lack of talent.)

We play many different styles of music: rock, pop, country, folk and Irish, but in each case we play what we consider to be “classics” from those styles.  Songs that everyone has etched into their memories at some point; just waiting to be unlocked and shared one more time.

Tonight, we met lots of  happy people, trying like we were, to hold on to one more glimmering summer night.  Smiles and laughter; good food and plentiful drink helped unlock many of those special memories for everyone to enjoy.

Two happy couples especially helped us share a night full of favorite songs, as the laughter and merriment spilled forth like ale from the bountiful casks here at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in Mount Clemens Michigan.  What a grand time we had with them.  Although, it really wasn’t too terribly difficult to turn a night with them into fun; (they kind of supply it on their own.)  Thanks again nevertheless for keeping us going, just when our fuel was waning.

On another musical note: we learned that both Meghan AND Morgan, two of the incredible members of the Three Blind Mice wait staff are moving on to great things in their personal lives.  Morgan is one of the hardest working gals we have ever known.  She is so warm and down to earth that she made us feel at home from the very first day, nearly a year ago.  Morgan is moving on to an management position at a new establishment in Detroit: HopCat.  We wish her well, and hope that she comes to visit us once she conquers Detroit’s thirst for good drink and cool cats.

And then there was Meghan, with her beautiful smile and unbridled energy.  Leaving to go in a totally different direction.  She will begin a new career as a . . . .  WELDER!

Wow!

Carl and I are pretty sure that the last time we saw a beautiful woman who was also a welder, she was pulling a chain to pour water on herself in Flashdance!

We have known Meghan since she began as a waitress at Kokomos restaurant back in the 90’s, so we are taking this parting very hard.  She was always there with a smile and drink and wonderful incite and enthusiasm for her job.  She will be sorely missed; but we wish her well in this new adventure in her life.

One great thing about TTBMIP, is the pool of talented musicians that line up to  entertain on a nightly basis.  On this particular Friday night, talent was indeed on display as one of the premier acts who frequent the pub held court not he big stage upstairs.

The incomparable Orbitsuns were electrifying the crowd upstairs, where a totally different vibe exists.  Like some bizarre parallel universe: downstairs we play happy, up-beat, sing-a-long music of many styles; while upstairs . . . . ANYTHING goes!

The Orbitsuns Play inspired originals fused with wry wit and irreverent pathos; or on the very next up-beat, challenge us to revisit overlooked favorites as they put their unique stamp on any classic rock, pop or rock-a-billy song that comes into their musical cross-hairs.  What comes out is double-barrel, beach-wood aged, well written crafted and interpreted music; injected with immortal cool!

On this night, seasons held no sway over music.  Timeless classics are just that; and nothing will ever change that. That is what we do on Friday nights; unlock memories and make more, no matter what the calendar says.

Last Sunday was a very relaxing, enjoyable day for Bob and Carl, as we got up early, and spent most of the day in the hospitable city of Flatrock Michigan.

An early drive gave us a chance to unwind from the long weekend, and time to catch or breath before the day unfolded in earnest.  The drive was quiet and quick, and when we arrived, we were met with some of the nicest folks we have ever worked with.

Both the sound company and the event organizers couldn’t have been nicer, bending over backwards to get us anything we needed during the load-in.

We were playing the Crusin’ hot Rod Park, car show and swap meet in Flatrock.  It was their first year of organizing the event; so it was not as big as they would have liked.  However, there was plenty if room to grow in the future and turn it into the first-class even that they all had envisioned.

Musically, they had a full line-up of bands both on saturday and Sunday, with the headliners, Fridged Pink closing out the Saturday night show.  sunday’s headliners were the great local Detroit band, The Teen Angels.  Long time friends Robby Emmanuel on drums, and the incomparable Adam Alan on guitar, gave it an “old home week” flavor, as we began playing with them back in the 70’s.  No one we have eve heard is better on drums and guitar than those two.  Even after all these years of listening to them, you can tell that the fire has yet to go out of their passion for music.

It was a great show. A relaxing day. And we were able to meet new friends, and reacquaint some old ones.  Smiles on faces and tapping toes said it all today, as the summer winds to a close.

Like the legendary Drifters’ song, on Saturday August 23, 2014 we we literally, Up On The Roof. Carl and I had the great fortune of being hired to play the second annual local pig roast for Special Olympics.  The house was beautiful, outside of Mt. Clemens Michigan, situated  on the banks of the Clinton River, with all the amenities anyone could ask for. However, they did throw one “curve-ball” our way when we asked them where we were supposed to set up and play for the evening . . . “On the roof.” was the reply from our wonderful hosts.  And, the only way to get our gear up there, was a small spiral staircase . . . Although we were taken aback at first; they produced a crew of “roadies”, and as soon as you could begin humming the “load out” from Jackson Browne, we were all set up and ready to make come magic As we mentioned, our hosts were friendly and more than accommodating.  The house was amazingly in tune to anything you could dream of to make your party a success, and the music was spot on. After a dizzying set of encores, it was time to pack up; and head down the spiral staircase.  (in the dark).  Good times.  Its fun being rock stars!  

On a summer’s night in August, there are so many choices; and this particular weekend was a perfect example.  There was the Woodward Dream Cruise, the “Cheeseburger-In-Paradise” weekend in Caseville, and the Armada Fair, just to name a few.  Now, throw in big Tiger and Lions games on the television, and it gives folks even more reason to not go out on the town.  So when people with so many other choices make a point to share their weekend with us at the Three Blind Mice in Mount Clemens; it means even more.

Such was the case on Friday night, when the Mice was rockin’ upstairs, downstairs and all around the patio.  There were birthday parties, gatherings and graduation attendees, all sharing a drink, a laugh and a song.

We hold summer in Michigan in high esteem, and for good reason.  This last brutal winter illustrated once again just how precious those warm, wonderful days can be; and we don’t want to waste even one of them.

With the weather a little cool, we decided to play inside under the shadow of the big barrels.  That being said; playing inside offers us a more intimate experience.  A better chance for us to interact with the customers, as we play their favorites through the evening.

Upstairs, the tradition of fine musicians and bands continued with a visit to the big stage by a group called PUNCH,  who blasted out their version of many well-crafted favorites.

By night’s end, there were calls for encores, which sent everyone home with smiles on their faces.  Summer night in Michigan are precious; and so are memories that will last forever.

T’was a Friday on the patio, and all through the house; everyone was stirring, it was a full mouse.

Great night on Friday. Upstairs, downstairs inside and out; revelers were laughing, drinking and singing along to all kinds of music and merriment. While Carl and I entertained outside, the upstairs stage turned into a PLanet Of Fun. This talented group of musicians have been entertaining locally for a long time, and always playing to full houses wherever they plug in.

We would also like to give a shout out to Beau, the birthday boy who brought his entire posse out to the patio for a great time that many won’t soon forget.

Sometimes, nothing pulls you through like having good friends show up.  Un-expected, unlooked for.  Un-announced.

An evening like that can make everything magical.  And, so it was this Friday night at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub.  Good friends showed up, and made the night extra special.

There was even a surprise birthday party, of what would become new friends for us on this amazing night.

The band upstairs was un-expected as well, as I found out that the lead singer was an old friend from the YMCA in years past.  All grown up and powerful, with a voice to keep the crowd on their feet all night long.

Always a good time; always entertaining.  The Mice never disappoints!