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June 2018

Turn Up The Heat!

Nothing says summer has arrived like the climbing temperature.

By now, you know how many times that I have lamented the fact that weather was not conducive to big crowds outside at Bumper’s Landing, in Harrison Two. Michigan.  I’ve been pretty much a broken record about it.  “It’s so cooooold!”, blah, blah, blah . . .

Well, forget all that.  “It’s sooooooooo hooooooooot!”….

Just kidding.  I’m not complaining about the extreme heat.  And, to be honest, true to their form, none of the big crowd of boaters that we entertained, Saturday every said a single word about it being too hot to drink.

It was pretty hot though.  About 90 degrees will slow down any party.  Folks were there, but pretty much hiding from the sizzling sunlight.  They were under the awning, under umbrellas, and even nestled inside from the oppressive heat.

Nothing will stop us though, Carl and I.  We were there, set up and ready to play right on time, sweltering sun or no.  We just switched on our Island music play-list.  (Just kidding, there is really no such list.)

Island music

Music is so personal and so evocative of time, place and mood, that simply hearing a soulful melody will catapult the listener to a moment and location they might have treasured some years or even decades past.

It can stop your heart and mind until all of those feeling come rushing back, reawakened once more.  Island music by my definition is comprised of slow, easy, tranquil melodies that urge us to relax, rethink and renew.

The melodies don’t shout at us, they beckon.  The beat is simple and straight-forward, hiding nothing along the way.  Even the chord structure, while outwardly pleasing is quite simple and true.

The listener is not being asked to focus their time and energy on the lyrics, solos or even complicated chord changes.  It is simply, “Happy” music.

So when it is hot.  Really hot!, playing island music tends to cool everyone down.  Or when we play it in the winter months, aching for the hint of summer just off the horizon; it even warms us up!

Island music fits right in at Bumper’s

From the cool of the shade coveted spots, we can see and hear patrons singling along with us, despite the heat.  We already know that these people don’t complain about anything, so the heat is certainly not going to bother them.

Singing in the Gazebo on the deck is a great place to be actually.  We can see everything, and of course hear everything.  Especially when these racing boats come in establishing their audible dominance, or trying to.  Something worth hearing, that’s for sure.

As you already know, we begin our night around six O’clock with Jimmy Buffett, the usual first round pick.  Then some Seger, and Young and even Chesney right out of the gate.

But on this afternoon, we thought that we would cast off much of our usual, and let the Island Music wash over those oppressed by the heat.

After the first couple of sets, the sun retreated a bit, and let the boaters emerge into the light.  We began to play music with a little stronger structure as the night drew close at hand.

There was still not a lot of craziness, since by now, the sun had zapped much of everyone’s energy.  That was fine too.  We simply brought out the romantic music, as the darkness settled in the moon crept over the dock.

It was clearly time for romance and passion.

Bumper’s Landing may occasionally  be windy, it may be cold, yet most times hot.  However, there is one thing that Carl and I know for a fact; it is never, ever dull, not matter what type of music is in the air.

Rb

 

Summer is Here

we’ve waited, we’ve watched and we’ve even begged for it.  Finally, summer has arrived to stay!

About time.

While we can’t complain about the weather now, we just need to manage the crowds.  Keep them happy, that is.

Not too much trouble at Bumper’s Landing, since they are usually exceedingly happy to begin with.

On this particular Saturday, while the warm weather finally and ultimately arrived, so did those pesky clouds.  Not to matter.  Nothing could keep away this group of contented revelers.

As we arrived to set up, no one was confident in what Mother Nature had in store awaiting us down near the water.  The skies were grey, but as of yet, warm and pleasant.

The weather maps were a bit inconclusive, and watching the sky was not yielding us the pertinent information that we needed to make an informed decision about where to set up for the evening.

So, set up outside, we did.  If things changed, we would roll with it.  After all, that is pretty much what we did at Bumper’s Landing every time.

Playing by the water on a summer Saturday is an idyllic scene, unless, you add water dropping from the skies.  That is what made us move inside.  That, and Captain Morgan!

Captain Morgan, you say?  Yup, in came the good captain, resplendent with his peeps, entourage and first & second mates in tow.  Also, complete with his own marching band.

We had to take a break for all of that.  While we did, we tore down our equipment and hustled it inside to set up once more.  For as soon as we set up again and began to play, the rain unloaded its’ vengeance on the unsuspecting crowd.

No matter.  They joined the Conga line inside and everything was good!

The music got hotter and hotter and the dancers found their groove once again.  It was utter chaos, but utter fun at the same time!

The rain, the music and the Captain made this night one of the moist memorable we had ever played.  (And, by now you know that we have been playing for a long time.)

Beach music, country and rock ballads and party songs filled the lungs of every patron that night as the roof was nearly blown off the bar.

We escaped with our lives, only after playing three or four encores to the drones of, “One more!!”

When the weather truly cooperates, we know that we are going to see something like never before at this place.

It’s gonna be epic, and we are gonna be right in the thick of it!!!

Rb

 

 

Rb

Meanwhile . . . back at the Mice!

While many changes have been taking place in and around Macomb County, some of them good, some of them bad, there is one thing that you can always count on.

While all this has taken place, some things still remain constant; like the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub in downtown Mt. Clemens.

The building has been a pub for over one hundred years now, and although many proprietors have come and gone, it has more than stood the test of time.

The Mice always delights.

The acoustics are warm and rich.  The architecture is timeless, and the walls resonate with a truth and honesty that cannot be easily measured without experiencing it first-hand.

When you walk in for the first time, you realize that stepping inside these walls is a treat to all your senses, not just your eyes and ears.

While the alcohol beckons, the traditional bar and wood detailing pleases your soul.

Add the smell of sumptuous comfort-food and you can see why the Mice is whirling through it’s fifth year of service to a thirsty community.

Carl and I love playing at this venue.  So close to the people that they can’t help but feel part of the entertainment suits us just fine.  Something akin to street magicians, standing inches away from our audience is almost like working without a net; exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

Once we strike up the first chord however, we are in charge of our own musical destiny.  Standing alone with two guitars is a very good way to quickly find your worth as a musician.  If you can entertain like that, in its’ simplest form, you can do anything, we believe.

At the Mice, when the clock hits eight, the lights go on, and we begin the first song.  Most always, we ease into our night with a selection that will make the transition from quiet conversation to easy listening, enticing and palatable.

There are many people that came for dinner and didn’t expect musicians to pop up, seemingly unannounced.

It is our job to help those folks make the decision to extend their stay.  Customers are our bosses, and ideally each one of them must be won over and hopefully satisfied.

We want them back, and we want them to feel welcome and happy and the desire to spread the word.

Everything we do is to accomplish that goal.  We begin easy and as the night evolves, turn up the volume and the tempo to a level that matches the pace and pulse of the patrons we engage.

There are lots of ways to get it done, but the easiest way is by simply selecting the right song at the right time of night.

Reading the eyes and requests from the audience, we can tell when to pick it up, when to slow it down and even when to get a little irreverent or completely sentimental.

That is always part of the fun.  It is the best reason why Carl and I have never used a set list to dictate how the night should go.

We would rather let the audience dictate to us, what they would feel and like.  Most of the time, that works pretty well.

Friday was just such a night.  As people came in and were reluctant to sit right in front of us, they quickly realized that we weren’t too loud or too annoying.

Nothing that a fair amount of alcohol couldn’t rectify.

Actually, we had pretty good luck playing all the requests that we fielded.  Johnny CashNeil Diamond and Cat Stevens led the pack.  Of course we scattered some traditional Irish favorites their way without incident.

We play five hours when we entertain at The Three Blind Mice.  Five hours of three minute songs is a pretty good way to sharpen your musical chops in this business.

Friday evening was pretty typical night at the Mice.  Although we could have gotten fair amount of walk-ins from the fireworks that were happening downtown, the rain unfortunately curtailed most of that throng.

We always feel at home in this pub. It speaks to us.  And it listens to our song, if that makes any sense.  We are a good fit.  It’s incredibly hard work, but worthwhile each and every night.

We’ll be back in a week or so, and we can’t wait.  We know that it will be waiting for us, as it always is.

Rb

Happiness? Just Add Water

There are those who love to be by the water.

To them, it is calming.  To them it is a source of their happiness and well being.  I believe that some of us simply feel better when they are in, on or by the water.

Michigan is very fortunate to have water surround us on so many sides.  It affords those of us that need it, the calming effect that their psych hungers for.

It could be the gentle rocking that reminds us of our treasured infancy; a happier, simpler, care-free time.  It could be the boundless eternity of flowing water; the giver of all life itself, surrounding and embracing us.

I suppose that when it comes right down to it, none of that matters.  Boaters simply enjoy being around water.

Carl and I have played many a performance over the years for boaters, boat clubs and sailing groups.  We have entertained on boats, on the water, weather it be in the summer or in the bitter cold of the long. frozen winter.

However, these last few year, since we have become lucky enough to be at Bumper’s Landing, (nestled in the water-rich confines of Harrison Township Michigan), we have learned so much that we had never imagined about these amazing individuals.

They are happy.  All the time.  Happy.

I endlessly marvel at that.  The trivial trappings of everyday life seems unable to stick on them or weigh them down, as they do the rest of us.

I really think that the water gives them some immunity to the minutia that assails most of us landlubbers.

We go through our hectic lives, Monday through Friday, only to reach the weekend, where we spend endless hours trying to catch up to that elusive concept called, “Relaxation”.

However, once we arrive there, we are too exhausted to even begin to know how to actually relax and revel in it.

For those who get their energy and collective center from the waves, each and every day seems to be calmed by the ebb and flow of the water, seemingly coursing through their veins.

We are truly envious of them, Carl and I, to be that blissful all the time.  Where nothing or no one can push them over the edge, like us mere city folk or country bumpkins.

That is one of the reasons that we feel so lucky to be included in their group.  Kind of like, honorary boat people.

When we arrive, we take it all in: the interactions, the sights the sounds the smells and even the vibe that permeates the waterfront.  It is all so amazingly healthy that one could even make a case for each one of us to move by the water; permanently.

As we set up each week, we observe the people, the interactions and the goings-ons around us.  Boats pulling up, people congregating and drinks being consumed.  All while we ready our gear for the night of entertaining ahead.

Saturday, things are a bit slower and easier than other days of the week.  We feel less rushed and able to enjoy the entire process of playing music for this venue.

We love Bumper’s.  We are very happy and lucky to be included in their musical line-up. Everyone there works so hard at what they do, each and every time they arrive at their job. We see that, and appreciate it greatly, as it makes our job so much easier.

When the staff does such a wonderful job, the customers are happy.
Happy patrons translates to a wonderful night, for everyone.

We believe that playing music in an establishment like this is pretty simple and straightforward.  Show up on time, ready to entertain, and just have a good time doing whatever it is that we do.

I guess, making people happy via our music.

Simple.

Our first set started out a little bit more up-tempo that we usually begin with, since, no-one wants to feel like they are being blown out of the water with loud offensive music.

Not for our first set, anyway.

It has been our goal this summer of 2018 to introduce lots of new music into our sets.  Maybe not, “new” music; but music that is new to us, and the people that we see regularly.

They deserve it, and above all, we do not want to become stale for our patrons.  Every week, we want to try to bring several new pieces of music into our shows.  It also has the effect of keeping Carl and I more focused and involved in the shows.

So far, we have introduced about ten new songs, that have all been received well by our audiences.

I’m sure that it goes unnoticed, but we work on our craft each and every week to improve it in all aspects of our performances.

We study and research new equipment to continually deliver better, more enduring sound.    We upgrade and groom our equipment to withstand the rigors of our week-in-week-out gigging.

We coordinate our wardrobe.  We learn new music, we practice the delivery of each song that we introduce into our performances.

We even work at keeping ourselves healthy and in good physical shape, so that we are always able to fulfill our musical schedule.  We are very proud that we have never missed a performance in over forty-five years of playing music together.

So with all of these things that are part of our inherent work ethic, it is so nice to be lucky enough to perform for people that are so appreciative of us and what we do to bring our shows to life.

We have studied them, Carl and I.  We have observed them now for this third summer.  We still don’t understand them, much.  Or even how lucky we are to be able to be entertaining them on Saturday nights.  But we certainly do appreciate being right here by the water, with them.

And, one more thing . . .

Working with tan owner and his staff that treats us like family is truly the best experience we have ever had in nearly fifty years of playing music professionally.

When I say working with, I mean just that.  While some people direct from afar, the true leaders jump right in, should-to-shoulder and pitch in on every level to accomplish their goals together.

This has been what we have always admired personally.  So I am acknowledging the incredible boss and amazing staff of Bumper’s Landing.

Being by the water for so long now, hopefully will rub off on Carl and I.  We will become more pleasant and easy-going.

Or, maybe we will just play happier songs.

Either way, if we are playing them by the water, they sure will sound relaxing!

Rb

 

 

 

 

Making America Great Again, (One song at a time)

Everywhere we look, (even despite what some people say), there are signs that people want to take an active hand in “Making America great again“.

Let’s forget the politics of that phrase, for a moment.

Of course, we all look back at days gone past, and somehow yearn to reclaim the joy and happiness imagined within.  Everything seems better as we reflect on it, weather realistically or not.  Things were always better.  Things were always easier, or longer, or shorter or simpler.

We all realize too, that some of that might not have been appreciated or valued at the actual time that it was experienced.  We tend to romanticize things as we look back at them.  It’s part of the human condition.

So when we look back at the simpler time of being a child and having no responsibilities other than just listening and doing what our parents told us to do, life sure could seem wonderful.

When Carl and I arrived in the quaint little town square in Auburn Hills last Friday afternoon, we were both struck with how picturesque it was.

America as it was always intended to be.  Inclusive, warm and glorious.

Since Auburn Hills is going through such a transformation from what it was, to what it ideally wants to be, the cityscape is undergoing some growing pains right now.

Apparently there will be a brand new amphitheater next year near the park, down near the river.  The town square is under an upheaval, as new store-fronts are being created and some updated.  The streets were being widened and re-faced for better pedestrian and automobile interaction.

All of this to say that right smack in the middle, we were to do a concert!

It was a great honor to be included in their concert series line-up with such other accomplished entertainers.  Since we have played several time over the past few years, we were quite excited to be back.  And, looking ahead to the new venue on the horizon, it was even more of an incentive to step up our game just a little bit, so were were asked back.

So they rolled out the red carpet for us this time.

Well, the green carpet to be exact.  About an entire football field of green Astro-Turf.

They ingeniously transformed a small town square into an impromptu concert arena for this years’ concert series.  The new amphitheater should be done by 2019.

When we show up at a new location or venue, and we are greeted by warm friendly faces, it begins the entire experience perfectly.  It was very evident, that so much care and attention had been focused on this event, that we both knew it was going to be a great night.

The weather was going to cooperate and people were arriving even then to stake out their space for the upcoming show.

We set up casually and easily on the cute little stage they had prepared for us.  As people were arriving and congregating, we changed our clothes and prepared to start.

After the emcee gave us a warm welcome, we began our hour and a half show with some Bob Segar music to get everyone accustomed to our sound.

We played music from many artists and several genres as the evening unfolded.  We even played several Irish favorites to the delight of the passionate attendees.

An hour into the performance, Carl called for some requests from the appreciative crowd.  The Monkees and Neil Diamond were right at the front of the line as time was beginning to grow short for our show.

Watching people dance, smile and sing along is always a great way to gauge how effective we are at engaging our audience at any performance.  The Auburn Hills crowd seemed to enjoy the night as much as Carl and I were.

It was a wonderful evening.

We finished with our rendition of, Love The One You’re With; our way of letting the audience know how much we enjoyed the entire Auburn Hills experience.

We certainly hope that we we be asked to return next year at the new venue.  It will be very hard to top this years’ event.

Someday, when we look back at this night, we will both smile at the memory of us reflecting the greatness that America can be, through our musical performance.

Rb

 

The Bumper’s Phenomenon

The Bumper’s phenomenon.

It’s a thing.

Well, it is now, for sure.  Just ask anyone in Southeast Michigan who knows anything,  they’ll tell you all about it.

The word is out.
The drinks are poured.
The food is cooking and music is in the air.

Carl and I are yet to have a perfect evening as far as the weather is concerned, and yet, the nights have been incredible at Bumper’s Landing.

When the temps and clouds do cooperate, it is going to be some kind of incredible madness!

That will be fine, we’ll be ready to manage it all.

For now, we’ll take what we can get, weather wise.  Last Saturday, it was cloudy and sprinkley outside.  We wondered if people were going to show top.

Since it was very quiet when we showed up to bringing our gear, we thought that it might be a very slow night.  Boy, were we wrong.

Right from the beginning of the night, we watched the doors open up and and deliver us smiling faces.  Smiling faces that for the most part, stay3ed all night long.

The rain might have been trying to spoil the evening, but the Bumper’s crowd was having none of it.

Our first set was spent just watching the phenomenon, first and, really.  They would come in and seem to never leave.  Everywhere happy groups of fun, jovial boat people.  Our kind of crowd.

Carl and I could really get spoiled playing for these people.

Set after set of music began to wear them down, until around nine thirty, the dancing break out in earnest.

Guys were sitting in to perform a song or two, and everyone Wass having an incredible time.

Wse. certainly didn’t count on anything much happening on this night; however, we were wrong.  Very soon it was packed and nearly overflowing into the Cabana.

One thing we never have taken for granted was the Bumper’s phenomenon.  It’s almost crazy fun now.  This huge group of people, every week, all having a wonderful time.

No fights, no problems and not hassles.

Some thing are just natural occurrences: like the weather, the elements and time itself.

The Bumper’s Phenomenon is the only one of them that is man made.

Well, man AND women made!

Rb

Centerline 2018

They say that you can never go back.

Well, they are wrong.  In Centerline, you can.  We did it last Saturday afternoon.

Carl and I returned to the place that we have enjoyed playing for the last couple summers.  Centerline Independence Festival.

We love getting the chance to play country music.  And, in Centerline, we had just one such opportunity.

Although the weather would not cooperate for us agin this year, we would not be denied.  Setting up on the Eastpointe show-mobile, we knew that things would be a little different this year.

It was raining, and the crowds were not out-and-about as of yet.  However, that didn’t deter us one bit.  We lit into the country hits with will abandon.

We played a variety of old and new country.  Something for each and everyone that might stop by to enjoy the music and the day.  Four or five songs into our two-hour set, we started getting requests from the good folks in attendance.

They wanted some, Riders in the Sky.  Some Garth Brooks and some Johnny cash.  Always happy to oblige, Carl launched into request after request, to the delight of those in attendance.

The rain held off just long enough for us to take a small break, as well as give us a chance to chat with the country fans that crowded the stage area.  Everyone was happy, evident by the smiles and the toes that were tapping.

Our second half of the show was a bit younger in song selection, and a bit more up-tempo, in nature.  Time to play some music by the country artists of the last five years.

The crowd was really coming together now, as it was nearly time to do some square dancing under the beer tent.

We finished strong with some old country favorites.  Leaving a good impression in the hearts and minds of all the fans who attended.

While this year seemed like a transition year for the festival, we certainly hoped that we will be back again to have more fun with the great fans of Centerline.

Rb

 

Ain’t No Holdin’ Us Back!

The Saturday might start out dark and grim; but before you know it, the sun worshipers will rule!

When last Saturday began, it was cool, dark and cloudy.  Not the kind of day that anyone would suspect of being a good day for an outdoor event.  I guess that I am guilty of be somewhat pessimistic when it comes to folks and the Michigan weather. I tend to err on the side of people wanting to stay inside and being comfortable, if there is the slightest reason that they might not like it outside.  Well, once again, I have underestimated boaters.

Yes, it was a little cool and windy.  A little dark and dreary.  And yet when we arrived to set up at 5;00 on Saturday, at Bumper’s Landing, we realized that someone forgot to tell the boaters that they shouldn’t be enjoying the day.

Too late.  They were there and they were already happy, no thanks to us.  Bumper’s Landing is a true boater’s haven.  It is quite evident that they feel very much at home as soon as they arrive.

Doing all we can to feed that feeling, carl and I are quick to break out the Jimmy Buffet.  Just the right vibe to get their motor’s running.

Sailing through our first set; it became ever so evident that nothing was about to darken the day for this group.  Just in time for the middle of our set, the sun made it’s appearance.

Now there was no holding back this crowd.  By the second set, it was filled inside and out.  Happy people appeared everywhere.  Men, women, boats and kids.  And, a full pack of dogs, on this night.

Yes, dogs!

Boaters love their canine companions, and Bumper’s does as well.  There were several pooch’s for the evening, in all shapes and sizes.  If you couldn’t feel like you were finally at home before seeing them, I’m sure that did the trick.

We play five hours when we entertain on a Saturday night.  The theory is that we take longer breaks than usual, since we play one hour more than most every other band.  In reality, it never works out that way.

Like one patron told me, “You guys play more than an other band, period!”.

Well, we do what we do.  What we have always done.  Our goal is to “audition” each and every night.  To take nothing for granted.  We never act like anything is owed to us musically.  We treat each and every audience like people that we have never met, and need to win over.

By doing that, we always try and put our best foot forward.  We give all that we have at every show. We try to work as hard as all of the good people that work around us.  From the owner, right down to the bus boy.  They all work incredibly to make everyone else succeed.

Our next set had lots of fun, sing-a-long songs ready and waiting to be joined by the people.  All we had to do was to ignore the fish flies that dropped by early.  No problem, I’m pretty sure that it will get a lot worse before its gets any better. In a week or two, we will be covered with them.

Saturday was a great night.  There was only one thing missing.  Still right on the edge of that break-out night when the weather finally cooperates, and gives us a hot-sweaty summer Saturday.

It’s about to happen; and when it does . . .

Look out!

Rb

BOB AND CARL