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June 2019

The “Perfect” Night

When you hear someone throw the word, “perfect” around, you would think that it was just that; absolutely right in every way.

Well, although last Saturday evening was pretty good in most aspects, it wasn’t “perfect”.

It wasn’t because of anything Bumper’s Landing did, by any means; it was just an unusual night for us.

Why?

Around two O’clock, (keep in mind we leave for the gig at four O’clock), I got a call from Carl that we had no van to transport our equipment in like we usually do.  We have been throwing our gear into vans since the seventies to transport our equipment to our gigs.

Well now we needed to go to plan B, and scramble to make that happen.  A seemingly small thing like finding another way to transport everything you use, need and require for a show can throw you off, if you let it.

(Ok, I will admit it did throw us off a bit.)

After loading everything into two cars we stood around looking at the cars, the gear, each other, the cars, the gear, each other, the cars, the garage, the house . . .  (Yes, this did go on for quite some time), to make sure we hadn’t left anything behind.

Maybe its not easy to understand, but when you pack everything a certain way for each gig,  you have a routine that sends up a red flag if something is not in its’ pre-ordained spot, or forgotten.  When there is no order, we have no idea if we have forgotten a valuable piece to our musical puzzle.

So we pulled out of the driveway and headed into either musical glory, or musical obscurity.  (Ok, that line might have been overly dramatic.)

We drove to Bumper’s Landing; home of the worlds’ funniest place for boaters!  (Ok, that line was a little dramatic too.)  I think I’m getting the hang of all of this hyperbole!!!!!!

Since it was now fully established that it was in fact, a beautiful day, the place was packed and already in motion.  As we assembled to load in our gear, it was still just an odd feeling, grabbing stuff from cars, and not in the usual order.  I know what you’re thinking, and YES, it does make a difference.  Just enough difference to throw us off.

A little bit.

You know when you look at something, and you think that it might not be right, although it LOOKS right, but still nags at your mind that it’s NOT right.  So you keep looking at it, and at that point it’s just a weird feeling.

Well, that pretty much sums up how the afternoon began for us.

So when the first of many patrons at Bumper’s told me of how “perfect” the night was going to be, I just had all of that back story as evidence, that while there was really nothing wrong with anything, it was just not what I would have called, “perfect”.

It was a pretty beautiful afternoon by then.  It was a beautiful day already, for many reasons.  Now the temperature, while quite warm, was not stifling.  And, while it was very busy, people were beginning to scramble for the umbrellas to cut the sun down to size.

Many friendly faces greeted our triumphant return to Saturday-by-the-water.  As six rolled around, we began the night on a more official note . . . (I believe it was a G major!). Jimmy Buffett is always a great way to get comfortable for the long night of performing ahead.  So we did what any self respecting musical duo would do; we trotted out some tried and true lyrics and music, guaranteed to calm any squall.

Squalls out on the gulf stream
Big storm commin’ soon
Passed out in my hammock
God, I slept till way past noon
Stood up and tried to focus
I hoped I wouldn’t have to move far
Sure could use a bloody mary
So I stumbled over to Loui’s back yard

With our feet firmly planted in the musical terra firma, it was  time to touch all of our musical genres one by one.

Country, Country Rock
Motown
Folk, Blues and Pop

We attempted all of requests as well, to the delight of the smiling Boat people.  Yes, getting there was the real challenge this week.  And for the most part, that wasn’t too bad either.

Maybe the night wasn’t perfect, but around these parts, a near miss is pretty, pretty good.

Can’t wait to get back into the Bob-And-Carl-mobile and settle in for the big July 4th celebration.

That might not be perfect, but I do know that at Bumper’s Landing, it will be pretty damned good.

Rb

Ah, Eastpointe

We have been entertaining in Eastpointe since many of you were born.  Actually, long before Eastpointe was born.

When Carl and I first played in Eastpointe, there was not even a pointe to it.  There was however, a Detroit in the name.

Long ago, when we first came to this area, (no matter what it was called), we played in Kennedy park.  We all should know that name, without any fear of contradiction.

Kennedy park was beautiful and fun and very family friendly.

We began playing there as The Boys, in the eighties.  Dance music mixed with good old Rock N’ Roll!

We played there for many years; and always had a blast.

After a while, we moved on to Spindler park, and a show-mobile style show.  Lots of line dancers and family fun.  We had a wonderful time playing those shows as The Boys, and began playing some extra shows as a duo around this same time.

It was now 1992 and the city dropped Detroit from its name and added a Pointe.  (To this day Carl and I are not absolutely sure the reason they did that was to protect us from any and all legal action we might have incurred along the way.)

We continued at the park on the show-mobile until the mid 2000’s.

Soon there was a new municipal building with more emphasis on seniors and family interaction.  Part of the new structure was a stage and gathering area outside for music and or special events.

Since around 2009 we have been playing at the new structure.  It’s a much different environment and “feel” to playing there.  Hopefully the crowds enjoy the music regardless of where it is.

It is now 2019, and a hot Wednesday night.  We had been contracted to play from 6:30 until 8:00 on this warm summer evening, and began right on time with some Ricky Nelson.  (Something different than we usually begin with.)

That got them dancing right away!

Next was a trip to that dock-by-the-bay, and some Otis Redding for everyone’s approval.  From there we played a Peaceful Easy Feeling by none other than The Eagles.

Can’t Help Falling In Love, Brandy, Sea Cruise, Daydream Believer, Five ‘O Clock Somewhere and The Banana Boat Song all found their way to the ears of our contented listeners.

We play each song as if we were playing them for the most important person in our lives, whether they are in the audience or not.  The fire and passion that we feel from performing is always about whom we are playing for.

Music is how we reach people.  Our reason for being.  And the language we use to communicate is song.

Cheeseburger In Paradise, Mary Ann and The Limbo Song.

Everyone has a special song.  Something that is so personal and meaningful that when they hear it, it awakens emotions and feelings they cannot contain.

My Girl.

This is our goal.

As I have said many, many times, it is the people that keep us doing what we do.  It is our connection with them, and theirs with us that makes it work.

That, and that alone keeps us going.

There was a young man and his gal that helped us get acclimated when we arrived.  His job was to make sure that the bands got everything they needed to set up.

He was great.  He wants to be performing someday, and I am quite sure that it will happen.

After a couple encores, our evening in eastpointe ended.  Time to tear down, put everything back in the Bob & Carl-Mobile and head to another event.

It doesn’t really matter to us where we play.  The real question is . . .

. . . will you be there?

Rb

Hello Summer!

We knew that it had to happen.

. . that summer would eventually get around to stopping by.

Although we had no idea that it would take this long to do it, to be honest.

I remember in the past there were plenty of spring days that seemed like the heat would overpower us.  Long days of sun, light and spray, marketing all the goodness that lay ahead.

Not this year.

As most of you already know, any and all sunny days have been few and far between.  In fact, this year seemed more like we a live in a rain forest, not a water, winter, wonderland.

So with the weather finally presenting Carl and I an opportunity to actually entertain outside, we took full advantage of it.

Arriving at Bumper’s Landing early, we were able to take our time setting up and getting the feel for the pavilion once again.

It didn’t take much as after only a few moments, we settled right in and felt at home by the water.

The first thing that we noticed however was the fact that since we were playing on a different night, (Friday), the crowd was completely different than what were were used to. To be honest, there weren’t many faces that we recognized.

The weekends at Bumper’s means that the start time is moved up an hour.  That’s fine by us, as we were more than eager to get the party started.

With the summer sun shining down, we began the not long enough, season-of-song by the water in earnest.  Nothing really makes us happier, (other than playing holiday music for the wide-eyed school kids.)

The eagles were selected to begin our first set on dry land; then some Seger and of course, Jimmy Buffett.  It always seems the perfect beginning to any set we play for boaters.  Playing his music on the longest day of the year is an extra bonus.

The crowd was cordial, but quiet to to begin.  Spending every moment so far, soaking up all the sunny goodness that could be mined from the sky.

Our music was the perfect backdrop to this boater’s paradise in Harrison Twp.  Smiles were already plentiful as we began our second set of songs.

One thing that you can count on at Bumper’s is the unexpected, and this Friday evening was no different.  In fact, it was Brad’s birthday!

Although we didn’t realize it yet, we were in for a treat of epic proportions.  Brad was more than ready to drink, sing dance, drink, cajole, drink, entertain and drink a little bit more as needed to get the celebration amped up and elevated to the level you would expect any Brad party to attain!

Even the entertainers were entertained on this particular Friday evening.

The sun was out, but it was not particularly warm yet.  Summer was here, but guarded and reserved at this point.  The music was was now even more upbeat than ever, and dancers were taking full advantage of the opportunity to groove to the music.

The groove was powerful and everywhere at this point.  Song and smiles put everyone in just the right musical “place”.

Even as the air turned cooler, people still wanted to get into the act, and the band.  While Carl gave piano lessons, I fought off the first army of fish-flies that stopped by to salute summers’ rightful appearance.

Some things just become part of your life/soul, and it’s very difficult to imagine your life without them.

We will just continue to sing our songs, and hope that the hearts that they were intended for hears them.

Rb

   

 

Always The Right Place

There are places where everybody knows your name.

Places you feel right at home.  And, then again, “There are places, I remember.”  (Thank you, John and Paul).

However, the place  we want to talk about is the place where everyone is always happy.  (There might be more places like this around, but we haven’t found them yet.)

Sometimes it’s crazy.
Sometimes it’s wild.
Sometimes it’s all of that and more.

We never know what we are walking into, actually.  Bumper’s might be many things, but it is never, ever dull.

As a matter of fact, for us, it’s always the right place.

It’s fun, it’s interesting and it’s dynamic in ways that are difficult to quantify.  Even as we arrive, Carl and I have virtually no idea what will happen.  We know that we will entertain, but whom, when and where is always up for grabs.

Just last Saturday night as we pulled into the parking lot, we were still trying to ascertain wether the weather would cooperate or not.

It was cool and ready to rain at any moment.

This time of year can certainly be tricky, and most likely as soon as we would set up and get ready to play, it could very well pour.

If we were to make the wrong call, and get rained on, we would have to dry all the equipment, tear it down and then move it inside and set it all up again.

Not the end of the world, but no fun for anyone.

So after considering the options, Carl and I decided to play it safe and set up inside.

That went smoothly, and as we had lots of time before we were to officially begin.  It gave us the opportunity to talk with some of the hardworking staff who make it all run.

They are as nice as they are talented.

Ready to begin early, Carl and I started with some Jimmy Buffett to get things rolling along.  Some country, then rock, then Island and more Rock & Roll.

One song melded into the next as we began to hit our stride after being away for several weeks.  The patrons didn’t care, they were by the water, well cared for and with sustanance and drink.

Inside, some little guys and their grandpa were making the most of every song.

(Kids seem more involved in music than we ever were at their age).  They were singing, dancing and having a splendid time.

Soon, however, they were heading home and most likely to bed.  It was time for the adults to shine.

After two solid sets of everything from country rock, to rocking’ country, and everything in between, we had the entire place going!

The Tamborine was out and girls were dancing and prancing to the music.  We slowed it down and the dance floor was filled.  We sped it up and we saw more moves than a bucket full of worms!

It was another great night.  Even with the weather, so, so, it was another fun evening for everyone.

We are so lucky to be a part of it; and miss it terribly when we are away.

You might go to your favorite restaurant for a good meal, your favorite bar for a refreshing drink and your favorite concert venue for great music . . .

. . . or, you could just go to Bumper’s Landing for all of it under the same roof!

We hope you do, because we’ll be here waiting.  It’s truly always the right place!

Rb

BOB AND CARL