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January 2016

Reason For A Song

I believe that 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”,  which is great, since we still aren’t, all these years later.  I think that we began for the same reason that we did a lot of things in our lives: for the challenge.

By happenstance, we met someone who knew how to play, at a time in our lives when we were thirsty for a challenge, and the wonder that went along with it.

As it turned out, someone showed us a few chords and just how you “approached” a guitar.  With 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.

Learning the guitar was easy compared to learning the in’s and out’s of how to entertain.  To make a long story short . . .     we are still in the process of learning that skill today.

Entertaining is something that we work on each and every show that we play.  It is a life-long skill that takes attention, discipline and professionalism.  Conversely, for the people and groups that fail, by and large; it is the skill that they never learn to master.

What began as “happenstance”, eventually evolved as our abilities and confidence grew.  Our musical range expanded.  Our demographic shifted and our talents matured.

We experienced many types of entertainment opportunities, as more and more events filled our calendar.  However, as our goals and dreams evolved, so did our horizons and expectations.  What motivated us in the beginning of our journey is not necessarily what motivates us still.

Time changes most things.  But one . . .

People.  We began decades ago, using people as the great litmus test of how and where we were in the learning of our craft.  It was that response we received that meant everything to us.  The smiles, the laughter, the enjoyment that we were able to see in our audience that told us if we were a success or not.

So, these many years later, it is still that response that we work to elicit.  The smiles, the engaged attention and connection that means we have succeeded once again.

It’s really not the money.  It’s really not the venue nor the marquee.  It is the response and connection with the audience that motivates us.  That makes us work harder, longer and better.  We learn new/old music for the people that it reaches.  That is what sustains us, throughout it all.

This tenant really became apparent this last Friday night at the three Blind Mice Irish Pub, in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

At every table, it seemed were really fascinating people, emerged in the musical enjoyment of the night.  Carl and I try to take some time during each show to find out what the patrons have enjoyed, what they were thinking about the music, and even what they would like to hear, if possible.  Over the last few years, this has been a really rewarding part of our performances.

We have met many, many people from every conceivable walk of life.  each and every one, out to have an enjoyable evening.  Most have been gracious enough to 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.

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!

Upstairs echoed the return of the 3BM supergroup and mainstay . . . The Orbitsons.  And that meant that place was packed and rocking’!  Love it!  Outlaw country.  So good, and they had a guy warming up the crowd, doing originals, too.  Upstairs was back!

It was stead all night on the main floor.  Tables came, tables left.  In the end, it was a pretty good night.  There was a table from The Firehouse in St. Clair Shores who stopped by to eat, drink and listen.  We had a long talk with Brian, the owner, who asked us to play at his venue.  (Update:) – Looks like that is going to happen, since we have a date on the calendar.

We met a lot of great people that night.  The people, as always make the night a success or a bust.  We just do what we do . . . .  and, most of the time, it all works out.

It is the people that come.  The people that are eager to hear our renditions of their favorites.  It is the people that motivate us to be there, to work hard, to keep coming back.

It will always be the people that move us to song.

RB

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Three Blind, Strong . . .

While this year is still in its’ infancy, all signs point to a new, strong, optimistic era of musical memories.

I know, that is quite positive, but, “Why not”?

Sometimes, everything just comes together.  The stars are all aligned.  The temperature is perfect.  The ducks are all in a row.  The gods simply favor us.

I don’t really care about the, why.  Just glad that things are pointing to a wonderful, rewarding new year.

And so it was on Friday night at the Three Blind Mice in lovely downtown Mt. Clemens Michigan.  The Gods and ducks all seemed to be aligned.  Sweet!

What am I talking about?

Well, so far this year; (and, yes, I know that it is early . . .), we have had a great January.  The patrons have been fun and appreciative.  The crowds have been steady and plentiful.  And, the music has been well-received and fun.

What more could you ask for?

It was in that from of mind that we began the evening; optimistic.  The crowd that started the night out with us, grew and grew until it actually seemed as though people were heading out to shake off those winter blues.

Some nights it really doesn’t matter what is going on in other parts of the world, since no one really cared about anything that didn’t reside right within these walls.

Let it be cold, let it snow, let it blow . . .

We are just going to hunker down here and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

The music was just beginning to grab everyone when we could hear the funding beat from the band above us.

When there came a break in the our set, I grabbed my camera and climbed the long stairway to the upper floor.  It was time to check out Back Track.  Its great to see a band that is, shall we say, in our age demographic,rocking the place just like the young ones do.

The second floor was packed.  People were happy and drinks were being drunk.  Seemed like everything was as it should be.  Since everything was well in hand, carl and I headed back downstairs to end the night on a high note, as they say.

The music grew to a long, well earned crescendo, as the patrons shouted for more!

Another strong night at the Mouse, in the books.

Rb

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New Beginnings

New year, new day; same old guys.

Yep, that’s what you got on this Friday night at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in beautiful downtown Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

Actually, since it was the very first day of a very new year, and we were extremely lucky to get anyone at all.  Only the hardiest of people would come out on the next day after a New Year’s celebration, no matter how incredible the entertainment might be.

So with only a few tables filled, (and of course the biggest one, right where we were to set up), we began a very new year.  A new year filled with hope, music and dreams.

It is up to each person to fulfill the hopes and dreams that seem attainable, as we pear over the horizon of all those moments and hours as yet to be.

On this night, we won’t even begin to look ahead, since our immediate attention is focused on pleasing the patrons who made the journey out to start their year right.

We began a little mellow, favoring the legendary hits that reflected on lost love and unfulfilled potential; all tied eloquently to a soul-filled time signature.

As people filtered in, we held our guitars a bit more casually, allowing them to resonate a more uplifting sound and song.

Sitting at the bar on this were good friends, who stopped by, knowing that this inviting pub would be warm, happy and rewarding.  Sitting in an comfortable atmosphere, while sipping on some favorites, listening to some favorites is pretty great whenever you get the chance to enjoy it.  Truly, a wonderful way to begin a new year.

Steadily, as the doors opened, the Mice began to fill in ernest.  Happy people with broad smiles and cheerful greetings assembled to christen 2016 in just the right way.

Carl and I worked hard on this night.  “auditioning” for each new group of people who joined the fray.  Song after hearty song was changed as the evening turned from the first day of January to the next.  By nights’ end, we were as one, committed to making this new year all that it could be.

And why not?  If life is truly, “Like a song”, then let us sing it to the rafters!

Rb

 

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BOB AND CARL