X
X

February 2019

Party In Waiting

It’s going to be an amazing summer at Bumper’s Landing!

Trouble is, the summer hasn’t quite arrived yet.  Oh, we’re ready all right; ready as we’ll ever be.

The only problem is Mother Nature isn’t quite there yet.

Don’t check the calendar, check the thermometer.

Just when we think that old man winter has loosened his grip, BAM! we get knocked back to reality by the Bomb Cyclone of 2019!

Yes, I realize that everybody gripes about the weather, but no one really does anything about it; but that’s not going to stop me from lamenting the fact that if the weather would even semi-cooperate, we might have some people to entertain.

As it was however, it was a very slow night.  We did get the chance to chat with some great people again.  (The up-side to a slow night).  However, in the end, with everyone involved, it would be nice to have a big crowd come by and take full advantage of the hard-working staff that was in place and ready to handle the crowd.

Time and time again we have lamented the fact that at Bumper’s Landing . . . we never know what is about to happen on any given day.

Located on the water, Bumper’s is at the whim of the “lake effect”.  Whatever weather conditions are prevalent, greatly effect wether people come out and stop by.

On a sunny summer-like day, our Michigan beaches and waterways are swelling with potential patrons, sometimes lined up five boats deep.  But, when the winter months arrive, and all the boats are docked, it becomes much more difficult to get customers to drive the long way out to the lake to lift a beer.

When the big thaw begins, they will be back and ready to soak up the sun; but until then, while the weather is hit or miss, so then are our nights.  Frustrating to be sure, but all part of the life of a rock star.

We set up early, eagerly preparing for an evening designed to share our musical talents.  Adjusting each nuance, string and volume knob until it was time to share our first melody.

The diners were ready to be entertained, and we were more than ready to oblige.  As usual, Jimmy Buffett was the ambassador wee chose to greet the first listeners.  A time-honored Bob and Carl tradition that pre-dates actual time itself.

Easily enjoyed, it was then up to us to follow that one up with another crowd pleaser.  After some cowboy music rattled the rafters, the word came to us that it was time to inquire just what to do with a certain drunken sailor.

Nothing could possibly have pleased us more.  Sure we played some Irish, and then another and then another for good measure.

Blasting right into a great set of oldies before anyone knew what hit them, gave us the confidence to try some songs that weren’t as easily recognizable.

We played some Bob Dylan and some Beatles music that maybe didn’t receive the amount of attention that they should have in the pantheon of musical greatness.  (When it is slower, we have a little more latitude to steer the evening in a completely different direction.)

The crowd seemed appreciative, as they usually are at Bumper’s Landing.  They are very happy people, remember.  (we’ve talked about this.)

As the night wore on, and the alcohol paved the way for plenty of poor decisions, the weather outside refused to give up on its winter-like impersonation of a cold dark, dreary house guest.  One that you can tolerate for a few hours, but in the end excuse yourself early to rid yourself of.

So when eleven rolled around we found ourselves bereft of all but the heartiest of customers.  It was a wonderful evening, but time to pack things up and head home.

Our next visit to Bumper’s will be a just a little bit closer to the coming of spring.  We are so over that old man winter that if he shows his ugly head, we might just ignore him all together.

His power is waning, and let’s face it, we have songs to sing!

Rb

 

 

 

 

 

The Magic Bus

By now you realize that we never know what to expect when we play Bumper’s Landing.

Last Saturday night was no exception.

As we pulled into the parking lot, we were amazed at a huge party bus arriving at just about the very same time.

It had all the markings of a bus that can be charted in Hamtramck Michigan, but we had no way to be certain.  Although we still are not sure just where it came from, we do know of its destination.

All of this was unknown to us when it first arrived around seven O’clock on Saturday. No matter, we have long ago learned to just roll with whatever might be happening that day or night.

They were arriving, two at a time, all shapes and sizes with one thing in common; they were all bound and determined to have a memorable time.

You pretty much know that its going to be an interesting night when you look over and a girl is sitting in on keyboards and singing Backstreet Boys, and we hadn’t even started yet.

Yikes!

Yep, it was that kind’ night, they were hot right out of the gate.
Jumping, shouting, singing and commanding the Tamborine.

Apparently, they were hockey people from Saint Claire Shores, (hockey people are the best!), who were touring several fine, local establishments on this particular evening.

How lucky we were included on their tour.

It was a wild start to the evening for sure, even our tip jar became a casualty.  Oh well, the life of a rock star!

It’s always the people that make our night, as I have said, many, many times.  This night was no exception as the hockey moms and dads really took over the place.  It was all in good fun actually, since all Carl and I could do at that point was just to stand back and stay out of the way.

They were looking for fun, and knew exactly how to recognize it.

The first two sets were a whirlwind of up-tempo classic rock hits from several decades of music.  Each was met with the appropriate amount of energy and enjoyment.

We didn’t even slow things down until the end of the second set, when it was apparent that some couples were looking for a way to snuggle. (without having to purchase a room).

People sure know how to have a good time at Bumper’s Landing.  They feel at home and able to let go without any fear of being judged.  It’s very evident that anyone looking to have a good time need not look any further.

We were all sad when the magic bus began to fill and drive away with our crowd.

Since it was the night before the super bowl, the people, unfortunately did not stay around as long as we would have liked.  However, we hope that they all had  such a great time, they will be back to eat, drink and play the Tamborine again some day soon!

Rb

BOB AND CARL