Sunday we pointed the car toward Galesburg and wound our way out to Hidden Hills Vineyard & Winery for a rare Sunday afternoon show. The sky was that flat early-March gray, but as soon as we pulled up and saw the building tucked into the hillside and the edge of the woods, it already felt like we’d stepped out of town for a bit.
Finding Our People on a Slow Day
Addi met us at the door, halfway through tidying up one of their outdoor pods – basically a clear, heated bubble where you can sit with a glass of wine and still feel like you’re outside. On a chilly, overcast day, it looked pretty tempting. We hauled the keyboard, guitar, and PA inside, and then met Dave, one of the owners. We did that familiar musician thing: a quick chat about business and life, whether to expect a crowd, and where to tuck us so the sound would carry without taking over the room.
Hidden Hills has a long, nicely decorated room, and we set up at one end. Once we hit the first chords of “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” we had our answer about turnout. It was quiet. For the first stretch, we played mostly to staff and the clink of glassware. We enjoy it regardless and understand that sometimes there are days like that.
Eventually one group came in, settled at a table, and stayed for the entire live acoustic duo performance. That was it – not exactly a packed house, but they listened, they clapped, they tipped and they hung with us all afternoon. We were grateful they chose to spend their Sunday with us, and you could feel that they were actually hearing the songs, not just talking over them.
Letting the Room Do the Work
One of the nice surprises at Hidden Hills was how the sound moved through the space. Even though the room is long, we didn’t have to crank anything. The piano, guitar, and two voices just kind of floated down to the far end without us pushing the volume. For us, that’s the sweet spot: enough sound so you can hear every lyric, but not so much that you’re shouting over your glass of red.
We later chatted with Dave about the place. Most of their big days are when the weather is good and everyone’s out on that patio looking over the vines. You could tell he was already thinking ahead to warmer weekends. We found ourselves thinking the same thing – how this room and that hillside would feel with the doors open, people wandering in and out, and us tucked in a corner playing into the evening. Hopefully we’ll get another opportunity.
Digging Through Decades
With a smaller crowd and a relaxed pace, we had room to stretch a little. We ended up wandering through the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and even a few ’90s tunes. A lot of what we pulled out lined up with what Dave loves, which made it fun – every so often we’d see him look up from behind the bar with that “oh, this one” expression.
There’s a particular kind of camaraderie that happens when it’s basically two musicians, a handful of listeners, and a lot of empty chairs. You stop worrying about how many people are there and just lean into the songs you really care about.
Turnout is always a bit of a coin toss. Some days you’re squeezing between tables and dodging people on the dance floor; some days you can count the audience on one hand. This one landed on the quieter side, but the wine was excellent, the room sounded good, and the people who were there seemed genuinely glad we were playing. That goes a long way.
Looking Toward Patio Weather
By the time we packed up and stepped back outside, the sky was still gray, but the hillside and rows of vines made it easy to picture a summer afternoon out there with a full patio and open doors. We’d love to come back when the weather’s cooperating and see what Hidden Hills feels like with that crowd.
If you’re running a winery, brewery, or any spot that could use a low-key piano-and-guitar soundtrack like this, we’d be happy to talk about bringing Bell & Field to your place. You can get in touch with us here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.
Hey folks, we’re looking forward to playing at Crescent City Tap in Galva on April 3, 2026. We’ll be there from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and it’s always great to see familiar faces while sharing some music.
Galva had its priorities straight on Friday night: the high school boys were playing the regional championship game, and the Wildcats were in it. That was great news for the town… and it meant the first two hours of our show at Crescent City Tap felt more like a private concert than a typical Friday night.
We’re excited to invite you to join us at Rams Riverhouse in Port Byron on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 7 to 10 PM. We always enjoy playing in places like this, where the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.
We’re excited to play at Fernando’s Place in Kewanee on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 5 to 8 PM. This spot in the heart of Kewanee offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine that locals really appreciate. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, burritos, or anything else, it’s a comforting place to relax and enjoy.
Walking back into Copper & Oak on Valentine’s Day felt a little like coming back to a favorite classroom, except this time we brought the saxophone teacher with us. Our December duo show there was one of our favorites of 2025, so we’d been itching to hear what the room would sound like with Paul Weddle in the mix.
Three-part harmonies and one missing Billy Joel tune
Closing time, bean burritos, and what’s next
Hey friends! We’re looking forward to another enjoyable afternoon at Tres Rojas Winery in Washington. With summer rolling in, it’s a great time to relax outside, maybe sip on some of their lovely dry wines, and enjoy acoustic tunes with us.
We rolled back into Crescent City Tap on one of those bitter cold January nights where you question all your life choices while you’re loading gear. We’ve played this room a bunch of times now. It wasn’t packed like some of the past shows, but we also knew the folks who did come out would really be there to listen and have a good time with us.
One of Greg’s favorite moments of the night had nothing to do with the set list. Between songs he turned to me and asked, “So what are you feeling?” meaning, what should we play next. My mom was in the audience and immediately perked up: “Did you just ask him how he’s feeling? Why, is he sick?”
We hope everyone is enjoying the early vibes of February. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’ll be playing at Copper & Oak Bourbon and Craft Beer Bar on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 6 PM to 9 PM.
For this Valentine’s Day show, we’re excited to bring in guest artist Paul Weddle on saxophone. Paul is a renowned touring saxophonist for the legendary Classics IV (known for “Spooky” and “Stormy”), and his playing adds a smooth, soulful layer that fits this night perfectly. He has also toured with the Doobie Brothers, B.B. King, Three Dog Night, and many other music legends.
We finally made it to The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar in Davenport, and our first time there turned into one of those nights where the plan just kept expanding in the best way.
We’re looking forward to a special night at The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar in Davenport on January 24. While it’s a private birthday party, it’s always nice to spend time in such a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy good food and drinks with friends. The Phoenix has a great reputation for their extensive wine list and their variety of gourmet dishes.
