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May 2016

The New Great Oaks

Change happens every day in the world, and no more evident than at Great Oaks Country Club, in Rochester Michigan.

Nearly twenty five years ago when we first played there, we would set up outside the old clubhouse among the “great oaks”.  Majestic oak trees that were the signature of the entire area; and one of the major reasons that the golf course was built around.
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After some years, and a new greater clubhouse expansion, they removed those oaks, and relocated the event area away from the course.  The bands moved near the tennis courts to better focus their music on all the major summer holidays; memorial day, the fourth and labor day.

The holiday tradition endured but not our location.  We kept moving, here and there.  Not a problem for us, as we are always just glad to be entertaining, no matter where or to whom.

For the last many years, we have been set up pool-side, near the food and grill.  With the summer of twenty sixteen, came even more changes.  The food and cook staff have been relocated to the other side of the pool, and we now have a permanent home at the pool, complete with our own umbrella.

The people at Great Oaks have been focusing on families for many years now, and it has paid off in dividends. Kids, kids and more kids splash, scream and play as a family in what we can only imagine is the perfect summer atmosphere.  They have food, they have fun and they have entertainment; with play-scapes, games, water and inflatable bouncing environments.

Add our incredible music to the mix and you have the perfect place to enjoy the sun.

The changes have been many over the years; and all that really stays consistent is us!

Some things are simply classics.  Billy Joel, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, among them.  Music as timeless and personal as youth.

We truly love watching families grow up and flourish under the Great Oaks.  And, as many things change through the years, fun, sun and music never will.

Rb

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Now on deck, Bob and Carl!

A while back this spring, Carl and I got an unusual call about playing a fun new event.  It seems that they were going to build a new ballpark in the city of Utica Michigan, and were looking for musicians to add some musical flavor to the experience.

In our case, they were looking for a band to play some music for an Irish Night at the ballpark.

Ok, before I get too far ahead of myself, the ball park is the new, Jimmy John’s Field, just outside of Utica, right off of M-59.  The cutest little stadium that you ever want to see.

Apparently, the owners have searched all over the country to find the right blend of fun, atmosphere and amenities to keep everyone happily coming back for more.

At the moment three different teams all play each other in a round-robin type competition, where the real winner are the fans.

Jimmy John’s Stadium has all the look and feel of any big league park, and yet, the closeness, and intimacy of a home-town venue. You simply feel, “at home”, the minute you pull up to park, and are not gouged for the first in a long line of $20 bills.

We were swept away with this innovative idea, the moment we pulled up on Saturday.  Why were we there on Saturday, if the first game doesn’t even start until Monday, you ask?

Great question.

As I mentioned, were were slotted to play in August on “Irish Night, however, since they needed someone to test the sound system, and musical logistic issues that might arise, they called on us to volunteer.

It was all great fun, as we set up in the outfield pavilion, facing the grandstand, on this hot May afternoon.

Ready to play at 6:00, it became apparent that some of the wiring had not completely been finished; we finally threw out the first song at about 6:40.

After adjusting our output levels, we received word that everything was working great.  In all we played about four songs., to the delight of the crowd.

Having met all three mascots, it was time to tour the stadium, and sample some of the outstanding food.  We could do that.

It was a fun filled evening that really got us excited for the night in August when we will hopefully get everyone of the 4,200 people singing about Green Alligators and Unicorns!

I bet it arrived before we know it.

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Special Note: Thanks to  Richard Pouncey for the great pictures!

Rb

Almost Summer

“Spring to summer, March to June.  
Anything can happen; so happen, soon!”

Almost summer.  But, not really.

It can be cold and snowy or hot and melty.  Don’t bother peeking at the calendar if you live in Michigan, it won’t help you.  It really has no idea either.  Looking at the calendar is like looking into box of un-opened chocolates: great promise, but every once in a while you will have one that you wish you could just spit out.

So we settled on Fridays, year and years ago when we started playing as a duo in the 80’s.  We just like Fridays more, It fits Carl and I.  It’s the day of the week, that when you work, you look ahead to. T.G.I.F.!

Always Friday.

We have had some amazing Fridays through the years.  Annnd . . . we have had our share of stinkers.  All we can do is to be there and give all that we have.  We try to do those things, and more each Friday.  Well, each day that we perform, be it Friday, Saturday or the rare Tuesday night.

My point is this . . . you can never tell what is going to happen, by simply guessing at a date on a calendar.  The day, the date, the season, economy, politics, psychology, genealogy and meteorology all play their part.  Mostly, Carl and I just hold on for dear life rather than try and navigate the torrent.

So on any given Friday night, at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in beautiful downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan, we simply try and hoooooooold on.

Last Friday, it was kind of a full house as we began to set up.  We usually arrive nearly an hour before every job that we play.  That gives us time to deal with anything unusual that pops up.  (We get a lot of that).

Sometimes though, being ready for a job early gives us time to reflect and repair.  Time to evaluate what we wish to accomplish that night, and try and find a way to survive.

It also gives us time to e a s e into playing.  Meaning: when we show up at someones’ “dinner table”, with big amplifiers and musical gear, it tends to spook them.  If you have big speakers, apparently, you are going to be loud.  Simply how people think that it works.  Doesn’t matter if it is true or not.  So, when we move equipment in any venue, we have to do it slowly and carefully.  We don’t want to ruin anyone’s dinner experience.

It was nearly full on this Friday night, and after the first set it was still full.  (Imagine that?).  Many people come in for dinner and then leave right after.  Not considering that entertainment will be part of their evening experience.  We know that coming in, and try our best to be entertaining, not overpowering.  It is a very fine line at times.

The weather was beautiful outside, with many opportunities for people on this wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  Lots of competition for their time and money.  We knew that it was going to be slower, and were just trying to make it fun for them while they joined us.

In the entertainment business, there are always wonderful things might happen when there are less people at the shows.  One great thing is that we can take more time to get to know people.  Time we wouldn’t normally have.  That is one of the best things we have enjoyed in the last few years; getting to know some really incredible people.

Not that easy, when you are a shy as Carl and I are.

Last Friday night was no exception.  We met several new people and got re-aquainted with some fans who had seen us earlier in the year.  They made a point to let us know that they enjoyed it so much the last time, that they simply had to come back again.

Nothing pleases us more!

Up the stairs to the second floor where it was a bit slow too, and yet, each and every person who was in attendance, was having a great time.

Paper Covers Rock was in full flight as I watched, blazing out the hits that made every one in the audience think . . . “Why isn’t this band on tour?”

Great question.

They have all the talent and showmanship.  I’m imagining that they simply need to get their foot in the door, and great things will happen.

For our second half of the night, we connected with some new, young wine entrepreneurs.   We discussed life, business and the fascinating marriage of wine and song.  Truly enjoyed the experience.

We have learned that you can never judge a day by simply looking at the calendar.  You can also never judge the quality of the crowd, by simply counting heads.  Its what’s inside those heads that really counts.

Spring is quickly giving way to summer.  We don’t look too far ahead.  We try and focus on what we have right now; and do our best to help everyone to enjoy the moment.

After all, its always summer somewhere, right?

Rb

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Friday Nights Await

Its always interesting; what awaits us inside, right before a show.  That’s what we were thinking about this Friday night, at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, in Mt. Clemens Michigan.

Always something different.  That’s just one of the great things about entertaining.  Its usually not about us; but about the people who come to see us.  They bring the magic, really.

The people, the patrons, the fans bring their hopes, their dreams, their attitude into the pub; and it is up to us to recognize the vibe and answer it accordingly.

The goal, as always is to help everyone have the good time that they were seeking all along.

Sitting in the van before each performance, we never really know what awaits us.  We never know who is there, or how many, or even what kind of night its going to be.

We simply do what we need to do.  That is, we arrive early, well prepared and even in anticipation of what might go awry.

We begin on time, and are mindful of our employer, our surroundings and our audience.

We put in the work.  We never take the easy way road.  We always play over and above what we were contracted to do.  We listen to the people, and guide our music through their eyes and ears.

We try and talk to our audience.  To ask them how they feel about what we are trying to do.      We ask them what we can play to make them even happier.  Or help them forget about their troubles for a little while.  (All with the help and expert guidance of Johnny, Jim or Jack.)

When we do these simple, but important things, usually, the night goes our way.  We play, they enjoy. Pretty simple when you distill it down.

On this particular night, the crowd was good right out of the gate.  The pub was filled and eager to be entertained.  All except for the two guys who decided to sit right where the stage was.  They made it known in no uncertain terms that they did not want music of any kind to be played.  (Funny, people usually say that after they hear us play, not before.)

We thought that we should play anyway, and we did. The first set was pretty lively, for us. We usually ease into the night a little bit.  But on this night, however, we went full tilt, into the fray!

Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the analogy.  That powerful first set segued into the smooth second set, as the singer showed up early.  After a few songs, the entire bar was lamenting, Friends n Low Places in unison.

Upstairs, Paper was covering the rock, once again, to the delight of the surging crowd.   i must say again how tight this band is.  Very professional, very polished sound.  Great opportunity for anyone to listen to, a great, up-andd-coming band.

Back down those stairs we went, to entertain the second half of the night.  What started out big, has now gotten a little smaller.  No one really stays out late, like they used to.  We focus on the hours between eight and twelve, and try and play another hour, just for good measure.  But we have noticed that when it gets past twelve, the crowd starts to thin dramatically.

The ones left on this night were the “die hards”, determined to party, no matter what.  Shots were ordered, songs were sung and smiled were hung on the faces with care.

it was another good night that the Three blind Mouse.

Happy to have people to sing to.

Great to see friends come back for another visit.

Wonderful to make new memories for all of the above.

Rb

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BOB AND CARL