Looking back on that night, I still smile enjoying the wonderful people that Carl and I were lucky enough to get the chance to meet.

The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan can be a very friendly abode.  People just like it, and feel a welcoming that never really dissipates.

I hear stories of folks who have not been back in a couple of years, but eventually find their way back to have an evening of enjoyment all over again.

Great news to us, and very heartwarming as well.

When you think about it, that is what Carl and I do; everything within our power to foster an atmosphere of fun, relaxation and heartfelt entertainment.

We give all we can to please the patrons and give them just one more reason to come back and visit.

Friday night was fun once again because of the people.  When we sit down and talk music with the patrons its always enjoyable.  What they love, what they listen to and what songs have carved a special place in their hearts, minds and lives.

Always interesting to hear about how music weaves it’s way into people’s being.

We chatted with a principal, an auto worker and a professional photographer; each one, having a great time, and each one with their own personal favorite musical requests.

The fun is finding just that perfect connection with people.  That, musical connection.

Playing the songs that they hold dear for whatever reason, gives us great joy.  Sometimes their love for a song or certain artist will open up an entire conversation that shines light on an entire interesting life.

We have learned over the years to try and not be shy when we are entertaining.  It’s not easy, as neither one of us is really naturally outgoing.

But only when we take the time to interact with people are we rewarded in finding out a treasure-trove of amazing thoughts and musical incites.

We spend many nights playing gigs where there are so many people that we only get to visit with them for a mere moment or two.  It is a pleasant change to have a night when we can spend the better part of an entire evening, getting to know some amazing couples, who share their love of all things musical and memorable.

Entertaining can be many things, but it is usually, always something different.

It is up to us to recognize what’s right there in front of us.  Only a table-for-two away!

Rb

 

What makes a “Perfect night”, you might ask?

Well, as you can imagine, our definition is probably different than anyone else’s. For one thing, NOTHING can go wrong.

Even as we arrived and found Bumper’s Landing nearly overflowing with cars and people, there was still a spot for Carl and I to unload and set up our equipment.

Perfect.

Once inside, we noticed all of the new staff, running smoothly on all cylinders; set and ready for the summer.

Perfect.

Room to set up and plenty of familiar, smiling faces belonging to folks we have spent many pleasant evening entertaining in the past.

Perfect.

The sounds of hustle, bustle and laughter.  The smell of plentiful great smelling food.  Beer and pretty girls. . .

Perfect!

The stage was set for a great evening all right.  All we needed to do was to give it a nudge down the hill.

Perfect.

Not waiting for another moment, we began the night officially with some Jimmy Buffett, followed quickly by the Eagles and more up-tempo tunes.  The bar was electric and everyone was ready to party as a group.

I honestly believe that nothing could have gone wrong on a night like this when the stars seemed to be aligned in the heavens.

We met lots and lots of new people, all having a wonderful time.  The feed-back was positive and overwhelming.  Whatever were are doing, all we needed to do was to keep doing it.

All night long . . .

More and more music, more and more dancing, and drinking, and going back and forth, in and out and up and even down!

What a wild, perfect night.

Sometimes it’s fun, doing what we do.  Sometimes, it’s rewarding.  Sometimes its trouble, and always it’s a lot of hard work.

But, sometimes, its a night just like this, when everything is perfect.

And that is what we live for.  We hope that everyone who attended enjoyed the night as much as we did.  Always trying to do all that we can to please people and bring them back for more.

Sometimes we fail . . .  but not often.

Sometimes we connect, sometimes we inspire and sometimes we just play the soundtrack to people’s lives.

Fine by us.

Then, every once in a while, where comes a night just like this.

Perfect in every way.  We’ll remember this nights and hope to have many more just like it.

If we do . . .

. . . . well, that will just be perfect!

Rb

Sound needs to be heard.

“If a guitar is plucked in the forest, and there is no-one there to hear it, would it truly make a sound?“

Or better yet, “Would it truly uplift/empower/inspire anyone?”

Well, that is what we faced the other night.  All evening long, Carl and I were forced to spend more time being concerned with volume than with inspiration.

Such is the life of a “Rock Star.”

We all know that by now.

Playing in a place that we have entertaining at for going on five years now, suddenly we had no idea how loud we were.  Hmmmmmmmmmm . . . .

Sometimes it’s great to reassess things in life.  To look at them, (or, in this case, listen to them), and re-evaluate the strengths and weaknesses as a way of learning and improving the core ideals that make you who you are.

We want to fit in and be available for listening, and yet, not obtrusive enough to overpower someone’s evening from the stage.

It is a very fine line we walk, and many times not easy.  However, we do it on a nightly basis, and most times triumph.

Apparently, on some nights, we are not the best judge of our own volume and leave it up to others to manage our sound.  That works out most times well.

Our goal is not to be loud.  It never has been.  That is not why you play at higher volumes, anyway.  For most purposes, (as a acoustic duo), you just want to be heard and create a quality sound field.  We’ve all heard noise that is very, very loud, but not very appealing to the ears.  (A jackhammer, or screeching tire, or a politician).

One of the biggest hurdles in any venue is the ambient noise of the establishment itself.  One or two of the places that we play is so loud that Carl and I cannot hear each other sitting right next to ourselves.

And that is when we are not even playing our instruments!

Ideally, the goal is to have all the musical instruments that are being played to be heard by the listener, in equal measure.

Not loud, just right.

In most venues, this can be accomplished at normal decimal levels.  The patrons can still have a conversation, and yet, still hear each auric element as it was intended.

Most nights Carl and I excellent at this, but occasionally, we are reminded just what a fine line we walk.

After being shown a pocket decibel app., we then lowered our volume to an acceptable level that made the staff happier.

It was an interesting night, to be sure.  Once again, we met some wonderful people who made the entire experience enjoyable.

Some people really love music.  You can almost see it in them.  They light up and are truly happy when listening.  Kind of like how happy boaters are, just to be near the water.

We can read it in their faces when you talk to them about what they are listening to.  It really makes our night fun to be able to share our love of music with them.

It was an odd night at TBM.  We were thrown off, but righted ourselves just in time to share our love of music with some amazing people.

In the end, that is what it’s all about.  Hear that?

Rb

 

Spring needs to officially begin some time, and for us, this is it!

From the moment we approached Bumper’s Landing we knew something special was in the air; there was not a parking spot to be had, anywhere!  Parking is not actually plentiful at Bumper’s, but on Derby Day, a spot can be as scarce as an honest bookie!

No matter, we forged ahead and began setting up early, since more and more people were pouring through the doors.

Folks were everywhere, milling about on the newly-opened patio, lounging at the Tiki bar, and jockeying for position inside, the long bar.

The Kentucky Derby was poised and ready to run, enchanting every wide eye in the house.  Carl and I  were doing our final sound check just as we heard, “Riders up!”

Two minutes later, the one hundred and forty-fifth running of this historic race was in the history books.  Then twenty minutes later, that same book was re-written, as the winner was disqualified!

Somewhere lost in all of that, Bumper’s was still packed as we began our first set.  There was still plenty of electricity in the air as the requests began pouring in.  It was a fun day, and it looked to be a very interesting evening.

We continued our high energy format from the night before; figuring, “If it ain’t broke, keep on playin’ it!”  The music was uptempo, irreverent and fun; party style, you might call it.  By that time of the evening, everybody was up, engaged and ready to play.

Now filled with revelers, it was getting close to the edge chaos, at the bar.  Everyone was into something, and all of it fun!  Just about then, the alcohol was reaching the user-maximum-saturation-point.  (always good for us).

From that point on, things started to get a lot more fuzzy, as things began spinning out of control.  I remember a lot of crazy music, a lot of dancing, a huge amount of drinking, and some fine Tamborine playing.  Everything you would wish for at any good Shindig!

It’s really difficult to have a bad time at Bumper’s and it hasn’t ever happened so far.  This night started as a horse race, but ended as a rock concert as Carl and I flexed our musical muscles.

The Kentucky Derby, and Bumper’s Landing; you really can’t get more American than that.

Well, possibly, including American pie, you might say . . .

Rb

That was the take-away from our enjoyable Friday night at The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub.

Carl and I had just been talking about the three owners who have been the steady hand on this venerable pub since it’s opening, more than five years ago.  We just haven’t seen them much, since they have such a great staff that keeps it going, week in and week out.

Speak of the devil!  During our setup, we saw a glimpse of Tony, and before we could even  say a word, there was Brad!

Funny how things work out some times.  It was great to see Brad and catch up on The Mice from the inside.  Chatting with him always gives us an interesting perspective that was couldn’t get any other way.

We discussed how the pub has been undergoing some upgrades to keep pace with all of the foot traffic over the last five years.  (New carpet upstairs, new chairs and an entire main floor refinish, etc.).  There have been a lot of things happening at this watering hole, open nearly seven days a week.

After our conversation, it was time to begin our night officially by singing the very first song.  Something up-temp was in order, and would be on the menu all night long.

Buffett, Chesney, Seger and Morrison to begin.  Start strong and keep throwing wood on the fire.  That was our goal.

We had attained the perfect formula: Good crowd, amazing food, and plenty of alcohol!  All we needed to do was to wrap it up in a classic, well-loved melody, and the night was ours!

Brad was doing his part, by interacting with the pliable customers.  His knowledge of what’s on tap is extraordinary.  It was Founder’s night at The Three Blind Mice, and that means some serious imbibing.

The tempo right through the third set was still fast and furious, keeping pace with each and every request that was tossed our way.  Cat Stevens, Elton John, and more Seger were heaved at us, nearly overwhelming us in the process.

Don’t worry, we played them all and were thirsty for more!

Nothing is better than a happy customer armed with playful requests.  One after another, they were played, all of them up-tempo and up-beat.  It was a perfect way to usher in the spring singing season.

The night was coming to a close, and with it, our time with Brad.  He wished us well and faded into the dark night.  Like a springtime sprite, his suggestions and incites echoed throughout the wood-toned walls of our favorite, local pub.

Carl and I never took our foot off the accelerator even as the evening drew into the midnight hour.  We finished the entire night without playing even one slow song!

Not an easy feat.

Brad likes “Up-Tempo”, so that is exactly what we gave him.  All in all, it was a very fun night.  The patrons of course, as always, are the stars of our show.

They came, they dined and they sampled.  Our music was simply the tablecloth to underscore all that makes this classic pub the timeless establishment that it is.

Another memorable evening in downtown Mount Clemens.

We really enjoy being part of the legacy that is The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub.  We have given much blood, sweat and tears to make it flourish in a city that still is searching for its’ identity.

With such great leadership, we have little doubt that it will continue to be the focal point of   a town who’s star is on the rise.

We sing, and will continue to sing its praises!

Rb

Back in the 80’s there was a landmark television series based on the premiss, somewhere in just about every small town and hamlet America, there is a local pub, bar or watering hole, where “Everyone knows your name.”

In Harrison Township, just down the road and around the bend, there is just such a place; Bumper’s Landing.

Bumper’s is warm, friendly and always exciting.  It has great service, mouth watering food and drinks designed to help you cope with anything this cruel world can dish out.

Add live music, special events and its proximity to the lake, and you have all the makings of a legendary tavern that over time will become everyone’s favorite summer club-house.

Some things you notice every once in a long while.  Some things catch your eye occasionally and some things jump out and nearly hit you over the head.  Each and every time Carl and I entertain at Bumper’s Landing, we are struck with just how nice everyone is.  Just how happy and content they seem.

From the very moment we arrive until we are heading out some six hours later, the people at Bumper’s are always so wonderful to us.  One venue that always becomes worth writing home about.

Being right on the water, these boaters congregate there for any reason at all.  As I have noted, they are by and large happy people, and for whatever reason seem happiest near the water.  They love it, and we love them for it.  Fun, energetic and amiable twenty-four-seven, we have kind of been adopted by them.

Embarking on our fourth summer at Bumper’s we couldn’t be more excited to build on the wonderful work that the owner and staff have embarked upon.

I believe that Carl and feel a real kinship with the Bumper’s staff because in all truthfulness, they work as hard as we do.  We see it each and every time we are there.

Being part of an incredible hard-working team only makes us want to do more as well.  We try and help out in every way that we can think of.

We are always doing our utmost to please the patrons with song and fellowship.  We try and move in quickly and expeditiously, and move out without being in anyone’s way.

We start on time, commiserate with the customers and find out how we can please them for their next visit.  We take and post pictures to showcase the venue and always promote it online when possible.  We do our utmost to communicate just how lucky we are to have the opportunity to entertain there.

We try and work as hard or harder than we possibly are expected to.  We feel if we do all of these things, good things will follow for everyone involved.  In this way, when we are finished with our playing days, we can be very proud of our entertainment legacy.

We are closing in on fifty years of performing.  (sixty, if you factor in our concerts in the school bands and orchestras.)  And in all of that time, we have never missed a gig, been let go, or failed a client or customer.

That. to me, is pretty remarkable, in and of itself.

Last Saturday nights a matter of fact, we arrived to smiling faces, and entertained them nearly a half hour past our ending time.  We did thirty minutes of encores!

Those are some happy people at Bumper’s Landing.  Our kind of people.  They never whine, they never complain and they know exactly how to “go with the flow.”

That might be a big reason while we appreciate them so much.  It’s a great relationship.

On this particular night, it was just a great big, fun, enjoyable experience, from start to finish.  Smiling faces, happy patrons, dancing feet.  It is just the kind of night that we all enjoy.

To be honest, the time flew by, as it usually does when things are going right.  Everyone playing their part.

Happy patrons laughing, smiling, dancing and even playing the Tamborine!

On most nights when Carl and I are heading home, we take a few moments to reflect on the evening’s events.  When we are heading home from Bumper’s Landing, the ride is usually quite gratifying, knowing that we gave it all yet again.

Rb

It’s been more than five years that we have entertained at The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan.

We are veterans of many, many incredible nights in front of the oak barrels.  You might say that we are Mouse-Keteers of sorts.

Yup, the only thing that we do differently from most Disney theme-park attractions is drink on the job!  (Well, maybe not the only thing.)

Like Disney, we are there to entertain and help foster a sense of enjoyment and happiness. Most nights we manage it, for the most part.

The Mice is a very comfortable place to play.  The imported, aged decor, soft lighting and solid wood seating ties everything together to help the legacy endure for probably another hundred years.

Something about how the acoustics blend with the contented patrons really enhances the entire experience.  Organic music that just seems to grow, enrich and evolve here.

The intimacy of the seating, arranged in a “round” forever makes the Thee Blind Mice a wonderful environment to entertain in.  Having people nearly on top of you, forces an interaction that most times establishes a bond that has in some cases, grown for years.

We have met many wonderful people in just such a way, remaining connected to this day, through a mutual love of music.

Each night as our music reverberates throughout these walls, we are struck by the way the pub brings together each element at hand to create an magical musical experience.

When we add our talent, it is the last ingredient needed to blend everything together to make musical memories that we know will last forever.

We have lived, breathed and sweated within these welcoming walls for more than five years now, and hope to do so for many more to come.

We love the Three Blind Mice, and hope that it is heard in our music, each and every performance.

Rb

On a night when absolutely everything could have gone wrong, nothing did.  Someone must be watching over us, because it was great right from the beginning.

Sometimes it just works out that way.  (Not very often), but sometimes.

Sure, we always have fun, but a lot of the time, its somehow crazy for one reason or another.  When you put that many wild people together in one place, usually something has to give.

Bumper’s Landing

Always fun, always enjoyable, but many times unexpected and or unusual.  Just the nature of the beast, I imagine.  That being said, Saturday was crazy-fun.

Of course since Michigan State was in the final four, it had been busy all day long, from the very moment their doors opened up.

We were to be starting an hour earlier, so of course, we arrived an hour earlier.  Just a little bit of chaos, as we walked in to survey the place.

Since the big basketball game began at 9:00, our plan was to entertain for two hours before the game, then at half time, and again after until midnight.

Somehow we got the first parking spot, (which or course made unloading easier).  Setup was quick and simple, and we had  more than a half an hour before we needed to begin in earnest.  Plenty of time to greet the Bumper’s regulars.

It was a full house of course, with everyone as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.  Electricity was in the air as we played our first set.  “Uptempo and highly motivated” was how I would describe our music to start.  It only got more exciting from there.

Our goal was to get the crowd amped up and ready to rumble!

Since everyone was in such a great mood, taking them to that next level was pretty quick and easy.  Our opening set was high energy and went for more than an hour.  The reception was welcomed as we took our break and connected with our audience.

Things were accelerating nicely as we began our second set.  With our “pedal to the metal” we launched full force into our rock music bag of tricks.  Pulling out favorite rock classic after favorite.  It sure seemed to work since the energy level was nearly through the roof as the transition to basketball took center stage.

While the men battled it out on the hardwood, Carl and I took time to check out our friends and staff during the contest.  The entire venue was alive with passion; as wild and as animated as it ever has been.  On a night when music takes a backseat to sports, we were truly excited to see such a wonderful turnout.

Everyone works so hard at Bumper’s, it is very gratifying to see when all of that work pays off.  Success does not happen by accident or luck; it is usually nothing more than putting in the work.

Soon it was half-time and that meant time to play for us..  Taking our cue from the ticking game-clock, we counted down to half time and our second set.

Not missing a beat, Carl and I launched into party mode extraordinaire.  Time to blow off the roof!

The second set flew by, and before we could even take a breath, it was time again for us to pause and let the game finish.  We checked back in with our Bumper’s regulars to get their take on the evening.

Seems as though we were on the right track, playing everyone’s favorites so far.  Since the home team was losing, we might have needed to play a more somber finish to the night.

Indeed, State failed to prevail in the end; however, the crowd didn’t seem to mind.  After all, the season was viewed as a success as the college boys got that far at least.

Time to finish out the night, and that is just what we did.  We pretty much played the night out without stopping.  Song after song was offered and excepted by the grateful throng.  Each one as appreciated as the last.

It was another signature night at Bumper’s.

Something different, as usual, (If that makes any sense.).  Well, Carl and I understand.

Rb

 

Some nights as a rockstar, everything is a little off.

You know what I mean.  For whatever reason, things just don’t click the way that they should.

It happens to some nights, unfortunately.  When Carl and I are a little off, no one really notices.  We do, but no one else seems too.  It’s frustrating, but all part of the experience.

Nothing you can do about it really.  Like a run-away train that is rolling out of control, you basically just hang on and try and limit the damage.

Well, that might be an overly dramatic interpretation of the evenings’ events, but you get the idea.

What I’m trying to say is that when we get the opportunity to entertain people, we really are never happy with any outcome other than excellence.  When we are in the midst of one of those performances, we are distracted just by the fact and work even harder to correct it.

Sometimes we right the plane.  Sometimes, there is a long slow uncomfortable flight; but always, we reach our destination alive.

Most of the time, what we do hinges on the people that we have the opportunity to entertain.  Carl and I might be hitting on all cylinders, but if there is no one to hear, then it all goes for naught.

Some nights there are just other things going on, or the weather takes its’ tole on the crowd.  Sometimes, it is a bad calendar night, when there is a holiday or huge event the night before or the next.  When that happens, as frustrating as it can be, we  just have to push through and do all that we can to have fun, or appear like we are.

That might be one of the hardest things that we ever have to do.  Put on a happy face, when the crowd is small.  Most of the time however, the people get us through.   It’s not always the numbers that make the night, but the quality.

Just the right person or persons will go a long way in making the evening memorable.

Though I keep trying to illustrate all the fun and excitement of being a rock star, I ultimately fail.      Honestly, it’s a great way to get paid while spending a lifetime doing something we both enjoy.

For me, it is a way to be creative.  That is my favorite part of the entire experience.

It is a way to communicate with people our love of music: being able to share our interpretation of other artists’ intimate thoughts and feelings, through song.

Having taken time here to explain in painful detail just how frustrating it is to us when things are not in sync, I feel compelled to note: No-one cares.

No-one ever notices when we are not “on”.  People don’t see it, know it or especially care about it.

To be honest, it really isn’t a big deal.  Carl and I know it, and we really don’t dwell on it either.  We realize that it will pass.

By and large, throughout our musical career, there have not been many nights all at when things don’t do the way we expect them to.

If for some reason it’s slow or tough or the plane is faltering . . .

Do not fear.  We’ll just put it on auto-pilot and land after the in-flight drinks have been consumed.

Rb

We realize how most people perceive playing live music in a band.  Some see it as exciting.  Some see it as glamorous.  Some think that it’s easy, fun or even lucrative.  Honestly, it can be any of those things from time to time; but mostly, it’s just plain, hard work.

And as hard as Carl and I work, there are many others who labor tirelessly to support us.

While it goes without saying that our family and friends are always there for us, with love, nourishment, encouragement, and enthusiasm, there are some other people without whom we would ultimately be lost. 

I’m talking about the real rock stars: the staff and owner Bumper’s Landing.

Saturday’s in March are an exciting reason to bring people back out of winter hibernation. March Madness to be exact.  Basketball

The games bring them out to the bars, and we benefit from the residual action.  Make no mistake, it’s the local venue that is their ultimate destination, and the staff that makes the venue run.

Since the big game was on, Carl and I had time to sit and take everything in; the customers, the regulars and the staff.  The interaction was interesting, to say the least.

I thought that I had a pretty good idea of how hard the staff worked to make any even happen, but I was wrong.

They never stop!

From the moment they arrive to the moment they turn out the lights at the end of their very long day, they do not stop.  And many times, they need to be back in only a few short hours to re-open with smiles on their faces and a spring in their step.

We watch all of this and are amazed at their work ethic.

Cheerful, purposeful and patient; they approach each customer as if they were having their first experience at Bumper’s and wanted to make it a great one.  They listen, they learn and they help each other maximize their time behind the bar.  One will always help out or pick the other one up when needed. Wether its running food, taking orders or even cleaning up after unruly or unpleasant customers, they have each other’s back.

The more we observe, the more we have time to get to know them, the more we are amazed at how good they are at what they do.  Just like the old adage, when you are really good at something, you make it look easy.

And these ladies do!

It is very frustrating to me when people take to social media to condemn a business or establishment.  If they didn’t get their order completely correct, quickly and perfectly, it is someone’s fault and they are going to be held accountable! Never mind what else was going on, what the server had to finish or deal with perviously, or even how many other customers there were waiting, all expecting their own needs to be met first.

If every single nuisance of their dining experience  doesn’t go to their liking, they are now armed with power of the poison pen to achieve justice!

So for anyone who works tirelessly, (sometimes twelve hour days), serving hundreds of customers, and one of them has an ax to grind because their pizza had the wrong toppings on it; we see it.  We know and understand it.

We, get it!

You gals are the Rock Stars!

You make it all work.  You don’t get any glamour, any glitz or much credit, really.  You just work and work and work and work!

So this post is not about Bob or Carl, its about Brandy and Kim and Heather and Kat.  Chris, Natasha, Kristie and Kim.  There are more of course, and they all do a remarkable job.  Without them and the bar backs and cooks and security, we would have no place to play.

 

It would simply not last if it weren’t for these hardworking ladies and gentlemen.

This is our tribute to the staff and owner of Bumper’s Landing.

We know it’s tough.  We realize how much you give of yourself without hesitation, because you believe in what you are doing, and the people that you work for and with.

The big game was on, and when it concluded, Carl and I took over and played out the night.  It was another amazing evening at one of Michigan’s real treasures.

We get a lot of the glory and credit.  We get the praise, the thanks and the handshakes.  But the real rockstars wherever we play go mostly unnoticed.  They arrive long before us and are still cleaning up when we are home in bed.

For them, we have great admiration.  For them we have nothing but praise and humility.

They are the real Rock Stars; the wind beneath our wings.

Rb