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December 2015

Santa’s Little Helpers

And, just like that . . .

it’s over.  : (

One of the biggest things that Carl and I look forward to all year round . . .  Playing Holiday shows for the kids, that is.

It was amazing again, this year.  Visiting all the elementaries at Fraser Schools, this year.  And what made it even more rewarding, was the fact that we had a wonderful assistant who kept us going the entire week.  I cannot say enough about my daughter, Kaitlin, who helped move and organize the entire van full of props and show elements that the kids treasure.

We visited Twain and Edison on Tuesday.  Eisenhower and Emerson on Wednesday; and Disney, Salk and Cherokee on Friday.  Enough for one week, (or, one season), for sure.

Without her, we would never have been able to get from school to school, set up and ready to play the next show.  She was amazing!  She also took the pictures and videos of the shows as well!

For our 2015 rendition of the Bob and Carl Holiday Extravaganza, we visited each of the Fraser elementaries, as well as Cherokee Elementary, in the Chippewas Valley school system, where the very first show originated, back in the 90’s.

We could have easily christened this year’s show, “The Very Best Of The Bob And Carl holiday Extravaganza”, because that’s how it truly seemed.

Although there were some new bits, it was mostly a “best of” show, comprised of many classic elements that have been the staple of our first fifteen years.

Talking with kids through the school year; (and you might be surprised to know that there is not a school day that goes by, when one kid or another doesn’t approach me about the holiday show, and how much they love it), I listen a lot about what parts of the show that the children hold dear.

Some love Frosty, some love building Santa; some like the singing, the dancing, the mayhem . . .

Honestly, every kid seems like like a different element or bit.  But, they all remember something different, and they all seem love it!

This particular year, I was in a elementary classroom, about a month ago, when a little voice popped up next to me, asking “What was new for this years’ show?”

It was a forth grade student.  After our conversation, I asked her some questions about what she liked in the show, and if she wouldn’t mind giving some thought about what she might like to see added.

She thought that we needed a new outfit for Rudolph, so that was just what we got.  Rudolph never looked better; and never got a bigger response.  Good call girl!

It is truly a labor of love to do this show every year.  Rewarding, doesn’t even scratch the surface.  Our favorite thing to do, above all else.

But the toughest part as always…….                      uhmmmmmmmmmmmmm………

what to do next year?

Rb

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Christmas Times A’ Comin’!

Those immortal word have been our Bob and Carl Holiday Extravaganza kick-off song for more Christmas seasons than we can count, now.

On Tuesday, December 14th, we began another year of entertaining kids at Twain Elementary, in Fraser Michigan. Smiles, fun and a whirl-wind hour of crazy holiday music was just the thing to signal another incredible Christmas season was underway.

This years’ show had several new elements in it, which as it seems, the kids enjoyed wholeheartedly.

Lights, balls, bells, rings and all kinds of crazy holiday friends took the stage in what might be observed as an “Best Of” Bob and Carl celebration.

Our first show of the day began at Twain Elementary, where we usually begin the holiday school shows.  Such great/happy kids, and a very warm staff, always helps us get the “bugs” out and the timing just right.

This year we moved on to Edison Elementary for two exciting shows.  Exciting it was, as each song was met with wondrously wide eyes and screams.

So much music, we have had to cut several songs to even get out in an hour.  That being said, when you look at the pictures below, and might just notice the kids didn’t notice a thing.

Smiles, smiles and more smiles all around as each song focused more and more energy and delight on each melodic and visual element in front of them.  They never stop cheering.  They never stop smiling.  They never stop enjoying every part of the show, no matter what year it is, or what school.

It is truly the best, most rewarding time of year for us.  We bring music, fun and delight that will create memories that will last throughout every holiday season in each child’s’ forever.

Rb

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Tiki Bar Christmas

We meet great people at nearly every show Carl and I play.  They love the music, they love the good times and they really love to party!

It was just such a group that we met a few years ago at The Greta Oaks Country Club in Rochester Michigan.  They know what they like, how to get it, and more than that, how to enjoy it when they do!

The summer before this last one, we were approached at Great Oaks about playing a summer party up at Boyne Mountain for an entire weekend of corporate celebrating.  However, Carl was to be out of town, so it never materialized.

When we met agin this summer, it was obvious that the same people were planning a great party, and somehow, we were going to be there.

The party happened all right.  Small but mighty.  For reasons we never were privy to, the party was thrown at an K of C hall in the great city of Farmington, on a Friday in December.

With everyone dressed in beach attire, we let loose with our entire arsenal of island tunes.  (They never really had a chance.)

The bartender did all she could to keep up with the drink orders as the music began to do its’ job on the unsuspecting revelers.  When the dreaded dance circle was formed, we knew that we had done our job in earnest.

There was that talk about next summers’ weekend corporate party.  Maybe it will work out next year.  For the moment, we only focused on the night at hand, and how enjoyable it was to please these wonderful people.

Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have the gift of music we can share.

But, then again, that is what this time of year is all about: sharing gifts.

RB

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Let The Season Begin

On Friday, Carl and I unofficially began the holiday season by playing the first in what would be several celebrations.  (When we play a Christmas song, it must be time to celebrate!)

This year the kick-off began at  Penna’s hall on Van Dyke, in beautiful Sterling Heights Michigan. For us it was a repeat performance, as we were right in this same spot a few ago, beginning that holiday season.  We must have made a good memory for their company, because here we were again, sandwiched between the DJ and the gambling tables.

It was the type of gig where we were to add the flavor of the season, by throwing in a few Christmas songs between the country, Island and classic rock.  All good.

The people were dressed nicely and very kind to us after we played our one set.  By then, we had warmed everyone up with the spirit of the season, in musical fashion.

It was the perfect beginning to a holiday that seemed more like Halloween temperatures than New Years.  Here in Michigan, it only seems like Christmas when there is snow on the ground.  Adding the songs of the season was our way of bringing back those classic memories of all years past; snow or no snow.

Done by eight O’clock, we were gone in a flash, and ready to take our next step in this holiday cavalcade of music.

But that would be another night.

Rb

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BOB AND CARL