By happenstance, we met someone who knew how to play, at a time in our lives when we were thirsty for a\u00a0challenge, and the wonder that went along with it.<\/p>\n
As it turned out, someone showed us a few chords and just how you “approached” a guitar. \u00a0With challenge accepted, it was then up to us to not only learn the guitar, and the songs that we wanted to play; but how to entertain people.<\/p>\n
Learning the guitar was easy compared to learning the in’s and out’s of how to entertain. \u00a0To make a long story short . . . \u00a0 \u00a0 we are still<\/em> in the process of learning that skill today.<\/p>\n Entertaining is something that we work on each and every show that we play. \u00a0It is a life-long skill that takes\u00a0attention, discipline and professionalism. \u00a0Conversely, for the people and groups that fail, by and large; it is the skill that they never<\/em> learn to master.<\/p>\n What began as “happenstance”, eventually evolved as our abilities\u00a0and confidence grew. \u00a0Our musical range expanded. \u00a0Our demographic shifted and our talents\u00a0matured.<\/p>\n We experienced\u00a0many types of entertainment opportunities, as more and more events filled our calendar. \u00a0However, as our goals and dreams evolved, so did our horizons and expectations. \u00a0What motivated us in the beginning of our journey is not necessarily what motivates us still.<\/p>\n Time changes most things. \u00a0But one . . .<\/p>\n People<\/strong>. \u00a0We began decades ago, using people as the great litmus test of how and where we were in the learning of our craft. \u00a0It was that response we received that meant everything to us. \u00a0The smiles, the laughter, the enjoyment that we were able to see in our audience that told us if we were a success or not.<\/p>\n So, these many years later, it is still that response that we work to elicit. \u00a0The smiles, the engaged attention and connection that means we have succeeded once again.<\/p>\n It’s really not the money. \u00a0It’s really not the venue nor the marquee. \u00a0It is the response and connection with the audience that motivates us. \u00a0That makes us work harder, longer and better. \u00a0We learn new\/old music for the people that it reaches. \u00a0That is what sustains us, throughout it all.<\/p>\n This tenant really became apparent this last Friday night at the three Blind Mice Irish Pub<\/a>, in Mount Clemens, Michigan.<\/p>\n At every table, it seemed were really fascinating people, emerged in the musical enjoyment of the night. \u00a0Carl and I try to take some time during each show to\u00a0find out what the patrons have enjoyed, what they were thinking about the music, and even what they would like to hear, if possible. \u00a0Over the last few years, this has been a really rewarding\u00a0part of our performances.<\/p>\n We have met many, many people from every conceivable walk of life. \u00a0each and every one, out to have an enjoyable evening. \u00a0Most have been gracious enough\u00a0to allow an impromptu question-and-answer period about what they liked to listen to, what they wanted to hear, and what artists had reached them during their lives to make music enjoyable for them.<\/p>\n And so it was, that by midnight, we had had the good fortune to become friends with several customers who took the time to share their love for the pub, the music and the alcohol!<\/p>\n Upstairs echoed the return of the 3BM<\/strong> supergroup and mainstay . . . The Orbitsons. \u00a0And that meant that place was packed and rocking’! \u00a0Love it! \u00a0Outlaw country. \u00a0So good, and they had a guy warming up the crowd, doing originals, too. \u00a0Upstairs was back!<\/p>\n It was stead all night on the main floor. \u00a0Tables came, tables left. \u00a0In the end, it was a pretty good night. \u00a0There was a table from The Firehouse<\/a> in St. Clair Shores who stopped by to eat, drink and listen. \u00a0We had a long talk with Brian, the owner, who asked us to play at his venue. \u00a0(Update:<\/strong><\/em>) – Looks like that is going to happen, since we have a date on the calendar.<\/p>\n We met a lot of great people that night. \u00a0The people, as always make the night a success or a bust. \u00a0We just do what we do . . . . \u00a0and, most of the time, it all works out.<\/p>\n It is the people that come. \u00a0The people that are eager to hear our renditions of their favorites. \u00a0It is the people that motivate us to be there, to work hard, to keep coming back.<\/p>\n It will always be the people that move us to song.<\/p>\n RB<\/p>\n I believe\u00a0that the reason Carl and I began this long journey, so many years ago was not as apparent then as it is now, in hindsight. We never started out to be “rock stars”, \u00a0which is great, since we still aren’t, all these years later. \u00a0I think that we began for the same reason that…<\/p>\n<\/a>
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