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Bell & Field at Farmers Market on June 3, 2026, W 3rd St & N Tremont St

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May 9, 2026 at 9:46 pm

Wednesday Night at the Kewanee Farmers Market – June 3, 2026

Bell & Field at Farmers MarketWe’re playing the Kewanee Farmers Market on Wednesday, June 3 from 6–8 p.m. in downtown Kewanee, right at W 3rd St & N Tremont St.

This is part of their new evening market idea. For years it’s been a morning thing, and now they’re seeing what happens when you add food trucks, music, and people stopping by after work. It feels a bit like everybody’s experimenting together to see if downtown can stay busy into the evening again.

We like these kinds of nights because the crowd is usually mixed: people who came just to shop, folks who wander over with food in hand, and a few who pull up a chair and actually listen to whole songs. You get kids running around near the produce stands, someone carrying a bouquet, and somebody else trying to balance a plate from a food truck while clapping along.

Musically, we’ll lean a little more into familiar songs you can recognize from halfway across the street, plus a few quieter ones for when the sun starts dropping and people are hanging onto those last errands of the day. We’ll bring the piano, guitar, and a simple setup that lets us keep things pretty relaxed and responsive to whoever’s in front of us.

Show Details

  • When: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Where: Kewanee Farmers Market, W 3rd St & N Tremont St, Kewanee, IL
  • Who: Bell & Field (piano–guitar duo)
  • What to expect: An easy-going two-hour set of familiar covers and a few originals, mixed in with the sounds of the evening market — people shopping local produce and baked goods, food trucks nearby, and whoever decides to pull up a chair and listen.
  • More info: Kewanee Farmers Market article

Bell & Field acoustic duo

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano-and-guitar duo that tends to build sets on the fly: a mix of 70s–90s tunes, a few newer songs, and some of our own, adjusted to how noisy or quiet the market is. If kids are dancing, we lean upbeat; if folks are sitting and really listening, we stretch out a bit and let the slower songs breathe.

About the Venue

The Kewanee Farmers Market has been a longtime morning stop in Berrien Park, and this year they’re trying out Wednesday evenings with food trucks from 4–8 p.m. and live music from 6–8 p.m. It’s right in downtown Kewanee, with local growers, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and all the usual market tables — just shifted later in the day so people can swing by after work.

If you’re around Kewanee on that Wednesday night, come by, grab something from a stand or a truck, and let the music be part of your errands.

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AFTER THE SHOW

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May 4, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Derby Day, Golden Tempo, and a Not-So-Garage Garage at Doug’s

We were really glad to be going back to Doug’s for another Derby party.  We’d played there a few years ago, but this time his “garage” had fully evolved into what can only be called a party house. Epoxied floor, finished drywall, an actual bathroom – if a car ever goes in there, it’s definitely the guest, not the main act.

From Car Storage to Derby Clubhouse

Doug told us he still occasionally pulls a car in, but with the way the room was setup with food, drinks and live music, it was hard to picture. On this particular night, the room was clearly built for people, not vehicles. TV going, friends drifting in and out, everyone in that pre-race mode where they’re half-talking, half-checking their bets.

We kicked things off with “You Can’t Do That” by The Beatles. It’s one we like to start with because it’s upbeat enough to cut through conversation without screaming, “Hey, stop everything, the band is here.” People nodded along, and we settled into that nice lane of being part of the party instead of on top of it.

Derby Drama and Song Requests

The Derby itself ended up being its own show. Golden Tempo came from way behind and stole it, and the whole room snapped from casual chatter to full-on yelling at the TV. It’s always exciting with any kind of sport when something like that happens – the entire mood shifts in 30 seconds, and then you’re riding that wave for the rest of the day.

Requests started rolling in, including Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is.” That’s one of those songs where, as soon as someone says the title, you can hear the piano riff in your head. Playing it in Doug’s tricked-out garage with everyone still buzzing from the race felt pretty perfect.

Later on, we broke into “Old Time Rock and Roll,” and that was the one that pulled people off the chairs. We had dancers of all ages “out on the floor” (which, again, was way too nice to be called a garage floor). There’s something really fun about watching a child and their parent both doing their own version of the same dance move.

Horse Songs That Almost Happened

In the days leading up to the show, we’d actually spent time working up some horse-themed tunes for Derby night – “Run for the Roses” and “Wildfire.” We’ve played “Wildfire” a bunch, but “Run for the Roses” was new for us. The first run-through in practice went better than expected, and I remember thinking, “OK, this might actually work in front of people.”

And then, of course, we completely forgot to play either of them.

I’ll be honest, we didn’t realize it until we were packing up. One of us said, “Wait…did we ever do ‘Run for the Roses’?” Nope. Not once. The good news is, it’s too good a song to abandon. We’ll keep chipping away at it and it’ll start showing up in other sets down the road.

This was my second time bringing the DJI Pocket 3 camera, so I recorded the whole show. We pulled some clips and added fresh audio samples to our homepage afterward, so if you’re curious what a private Derby party sounds like from our side of the room, you can give those a listen.

Friends, Students, and Late-Night Taco Bell

One of the best parts of returning to Doug’s is seeing some of the same faces. The Cinnamons were there, and our buddy Donnie Gerard showed up again too. We ended up talking music with Donnie and he mentioned he’s really getting into rockabilly these days. We told him, “If this happens again next year, you’re bringing your bass.” A little Derby rockabilly jam in that room would be a blast.

After we wrapped up, we did what has apparently become our new ritual: the Taco Bell stop. The funny thing is, this was just down the street from Tom’s house, but we treated it like we were hours from home after some long road gig. Bean burritos and steak quesadillas with jalapeños have somehow become part of the Bell & Field workflow now, and we’re not complaining.

It also turned out to be prom night, so there were some students there, also enjoying a late night bite. I always get a kick out of how everybody knows Tom as “Mr. Campbell” in this context. You just finished playing a live acoustic duo performance in a converted garage, and then you hear, “Hi, Mr. Campbell!” at Taco Bell and remember he just came from grading something a few days ago.

 

Already Hoping for the Next Round

All in all, Doug’s Derby party once again proved to be a great night. Golden Tempo’s wild Derby win, the dancing during “Old Time Rock and Roll,” catching up with friends like Donnie, and the mix of students, longtime buddies, and neighbors made it feel like we were dropped into a tight-knit little world for the night.

We’d happily come back and do it again next year, hopefully with Donnie joining us for some songs on bass and “Run for the Roses” finally making its way into the set.

If you’re putting together your own gathering and want a live acoustic duo performance that can fit into a living room, garage-turned-rec-room, or backyard, you can get in touch with us here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

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April 29, 2026 at 1:02 am

Laughing Through “Cats in the Cradle” at Fernando’s 11th Anniversary

We’ve eaten at Fernando’s Place in Kewanee plenty of times with our families, but playing there for their 11th anniversary was a whole different thing. Fernando has never had live music in the restaurant before, so when he asked us to come in as the first live acoustic duo performance, we both felt a mix of “honored” and “please-don’t-let-us-be-too-loud-for-the-taco crowd.”

Setting up in the window and shaking off the nerves

Fernando cleared out a corner by the front window for us, and it turned out to be the perfect little stage. Cables, mic stands, guitar case, keyboard – all tucked in behind us while people were digging into enchiladas and chimichangas. It felt a bit like we’d just moved into someone’s dining room with a small music store.

I’ll be honest, we were a little nervous at first. New room, first time they’ve ever done live music, and it was a Sunday night. Not exactly a built-in “live music in Kewanee” crowd. But once we got rolling, the room settled into a nice groove with us.

New songs, old favorites, and a few curveballs

We used the night to stretch a bit musically. We pulled out some songs we haven’t played much in public yet, like “Borderline” and “Old Time Rock and Roll.” That Bob Seger tune is one we’re trying to keep sharp for when we play with Paul Weddle, so it was good to run it in a real setting instead of just in the practice room.

Requests started coming in, which always keeps us on our toes. We got to dig into “Everything I Own” by Bread and “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce – both songs that fit really well with the feel of the room. People were talking quietly, forks clinking, kids sharing plates with parents, and then you’d see someone pause mid-bite because a lyric hit them just right. That’s the kind of Fernando’s Place entertainment we were hoping to add to the night.

The “Cats in the Cradle” laughing fit

One of the standout moments wasn’t about nailing a song – it was about almost losing it. Someone requested “Cats in the Cradle,” and as we started, Tom let out this little laugh right at the top of the song. We’re not totally sure why. Nerves, a random thought, who knows.

Of course, laughter is contagious. Greg started laughing, then told Tom, “Don’t laugh,” which made it worse. It felt like being back in 6th grade science class trying not to crack up while the teacher is looking right at you. Somehow we pulled it together and made it through the song, but that moment of almost falling apart on a serious tune is going to stick with us for a while.

Family tables and familiar faces

The turnout wasn’t as big as we’d all hoped for Fernando’s anniversary. Sunday nights can be tricky, and for a place that doesn’t usually have live music, it was probably a surprise for some regulars. But the folks who did come out made it worth every note.

Our families showed up in force – Tom’s parents and Malissa, plus Greg’s wife, daughter, and her boyfriend. Having them there, eating dinner and listening, made the night feel more like a family gathering with a built-in soundtrack than a formal show. We also spotted a few friends and familiar faces who came specifically for the music and the great food, which always means a lot.

We always say it’s not about the number of people in the room, it’s about the connection you make with the ones who are there. This night was a good reminder of that.

Walking out with full hearts

By the end of the night, we’d run through a wide mix of songs – newer ones for us, classic requests, and the tunes we know by heart. There were little pockets of conversation with people between songs, a few “Hey, what was that one you just played?” comments, and plenty of smiles on the way out.

We left Fernando’s Place feeling grateful: for the invite, for the trust of being their first live music experiment, for the families who showed up, and even for the mid-song laughing fit that reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Bell & Field: Professional Acoustic Duo

Thinking about live music at your place?

If you like the idea of a live acoustic duo performance tucked into the corner of your restaurant, patio, or private party – the way we did it at Fernando’s – we’d be glad to talk. You can reach us here to start the conversation: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

Bell & Field at Edison's Gastropub on August 29, 2026, 3579 Tanglefoot Ln, Bettendorf, IA 52722

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April 28, 2026 at 10:15 pm

Saturday Afternoon at Edison’s Gastropub – August 29, 2026

Bell & Field at Edison's Gastropub

Edison’s in Bettendorf is one of those places that quietly spoils you for other rooms. Every time we play there, I catch myself thinking, “Oh, this is how it’s supposed to work.” A lot of that goes back to Paul and the way he runs the place.

We’re back there on Saturday, August 29, playing the afternoon stretch from 1–4 pm. Daytime shows have their own rhythm: people easing into brunch or a late lunch, kids at the table, a game on somewhere, someone sneaking in a solo beer at the bar. It’s a different kind of focus than a late-night set, and Edison’s leans into that in a really smart way.

From our side of the stage (or corner, depending how they set us), Edison’s just makes the practical stuff easy: the load-in isn’t a circus, the staff actually knows what’s going on with the music, and they treat sound like it matters. That might sound small, but it changes how relaxed we can be once we start playing.

This will be another guitar-and-piano afternoon where we can stretch out a bit—mixing our usual set of reworked classics with some quieter songs that don’t always fit into louder bar nights. If you’ve seen us here before, you know we tend to follow the room: we’ll keep it lighter early on and then open things up if the place fills and people start leaning in.

The Basics

  • When: Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Where: Edison’s Gastropub, 3579 Tanglefoot Ln, Bettendorf, IA 52722
  • Who: Bell & Field (piano and guitar duo)
  • What to expect: A laid-back afternoon set with rearranged favorites, some quieter piano-led tunes, and a few songs we usually save for rooms that actually let you hear the words. We’ll keep things conversational and adjust as the afternoon rolls along.
  • Venue website: edisonsgastropub.com

Bell & Field acoustic duo

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano-and-guitar duo that likes taking familiar songs and nudging them sideways a bit—changing the groove, pulling things back so the lyrics land, and leaving enough space to talk with people between tunes. At spots like Edison’s, we usually start with lighter brunch-friendly material and then, if the room stays with us, work in deeper cuts and a few of our own.

The Room & The Neighborhood

Edison’s calls itself a modern speakeasy, but what stands out to us is how dialed-in they are on the basics: the staff actually knows when the music starts, they make sure we’ve got what we need, and they don’t treat live music like an afterthought. Paul deserves credit for that; he clearly cares about the details.

It’s in Bettendorf on Tanglefoot Lane, which means you get a steady mix of locals dropping in—some people there for brunch, some for a proper meal, and some just camping at the bar for the afternoon. From our spot, we see everything from families splitting plates to folks parked with a single drink, listening harder than they planned to when they walked in.

If you’re around Bettendorf that Saturday and in the mood for a slower afternoon with real food and live music that’s not blasting your ears off, this one should fit. We’ll see how the room feels and build the set from there.

Bell & Field at Edison's Gastropub on June 5, 2026, 3579 Tanglefoot Ln, Bettendorf, IA 52722

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April 28, 2026 at 9:34 pm

Friday at Edison’s Gastropub – June 5, 2026

Bell & Field at Edison's GastropubIf you’re looking for a Friday where you can hear the people you’re with, finish a story, and still have great live music going in the background, this one might fit your night.

We’re heading back to Edison’s Gastropub in Bettendorf on Friday, June 5, and we’ve been quietly looking forward to this one for a while. Our last show there was in 2025, and it honestly stuck with us more than most places do.

Paul and the staff were kind to us from the moment we walked in. The place was clean and dialed-in without feeling stiff, and everything just worked the way you hope it will when you’re hauling in a keyboard and guitar. We played outside on their patio, which is a really comfortable spot to settle into for a few hours.

One detail that really stood out: they had a camera feed running during the show, and Paul took the time afterward to send us some of the video. One of those clips ended up at the top of our homepage, so if you saw the Edison’s footage there, that’s from that night! It’s rare that a venue goes that extra step for the band, and it made us want to come back.

This time around, we’re leaning into what worked there before: songs you’ll recognize mixed in with some deeper cuts, arranged so they sit well with conversation and dinner. We’ll probably stretch out a little more on a few piano intros and guitar textures too, since well… that’s just what we love to do!

The Basics

  • When: Friday, June 5, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
  • Where: Edison’s Gastropub, 3579 Tanglefoot Ln, Bettendorf, IA 52722
  • Who: Bell & Field (piano, guitar, and two voices)
  • What to expect: An early evening set you can bring friends or family to, with familiar songs, a few rearranged favorites, and some quieter moments that won’t drown out your conversation.
  • Venue website: edisonsgastropub.com

Bell & Field acoustic duo

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano-and-guitar duo that builds sets around the room we’re in. At a place like Edison’s, that usually means mixing in thoughtful covers, some stripped-down takes on bigger songs, and a few quieter choices so people can enjoy the music without having to shout across the table.

The Room & The Neighborhood

Edison’s sits over on Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, and they’ve clearly put care into how the place is run. Last time we were there, everything from the stage setup to the patio layout made it easy for people to settle in for the evening. The outdoor area in particular felt like a natural spot for a 4–7pm show as the day winds down.

From a musician’s point of view, it’s the kind of place where the staff is on top of things and you can focus on playing instead of troubleshooting. That tends to make the music better, and it’s just one of the reasons we were hoping to get back on their calendar.

If you end up at Edison’s that Friday, we’ll do our best to give you a solid soundtrack for the early part of your night.

Bell & Field at Chop Tent on 2026-09-06, 306 N Main St, Kewanee, IL 61443

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April 28, 2026 at 7:41 pm

Hog Days at the Chop Tent – Sunday, September 6, 2026

Bell & Field at Chop Tent

Labor Day weekend always feels a little sideways. Half of you is still in summer, half of you is already thinking about school, football, and whether you need to find where you left your jacket last March. A Sunday afternoon set in the middle of all that feels like a pretty good place for us to land.

We’ll be at the Chop Tent for Kewanee Hog Days on Sunday, September 6, playing as the trio from 3–6 PM. This is one of those festivals we’ve circled on the calendar for a while, so getting the invite this year is a big deal for us.

Tom has some history with Hog Days from back when he played here with his band, the Incredible 45’s. He’s told enough stories about the weekend over the years that it already feels familiar: music going all afternoon, people wandering in and out between food runs, and the constant smell of something fried nearby.

We’re planning a set that leans into that feel—plenty of songs that work in broad daylight with people walking past with lemonade shakeups and, let’s be honest, us eyeing the funnel cake stand between tunes. It’ll be a mix of piano-and-guitar takes on songs you know, a few quieter curveballs if the moment allows, and some things we can stretch a bit with the trio.

Show Details

  • When: Sunday, September 6, 2026, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Where: Chop Tent, Hog Days, 306 N Main St, Kewanee, IL 61443
  • Who: Bell & Field Trio
  • What to expect: An afternoon trio set built for a festival crowd—piano, guitar, and a third player filling things out with grooves and harmony. We’ll lean on familiar tunes with our own twist, keep things upbeat enough for a busy Sunday, and leave a little room for requests and detours if the moment calls for it. There will almost certainly be powdered sugar on at least one of our cases by the end of the day.
  • More info: Kewanee Hog Days website

Bell & Field acoustic duo

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano-and-guitar duo that builds sets one room at a time. For Hog Days we’re bringing the trio, which lets us open things up rhythmically and stretch some arrangements without losing the song underneath. Expect a mix of classic covers, newer tunes we’ve reworked for our setup, and a few quieter moments if the crowd settles in for them.

About the Venue

Hog Days pretty much takes over Kewanee for the weekend—streets full of food stands, rides, and a lot of people making the most of the last summer holiday. The Chop Tent is a big part of that flow, so music there tends to be part concert, part soundtrack for everyone grabbing pork chops, lemonade, and whatever fried thing they’ve committed to that day. It’s the kind of spot where you see the same faces a few different times as they loop back through.

If you’re doing the Hog Days rounds on Sunday, swing by the Chop Tent for a bit between 3 and 6. We’ll be the ones trying to keep the groove steady while thinking about which stand to hit on our break.

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April 24, 2026 at 7:17 pm

Bell & Field Live at Valley View Club – July 3, 2026

We’re excited to be part of a special summer evening at Valley View Club in Cambridge on July 3.

This will be our first performance there as Bell & Field, though Tom has played there before as a solo act. This time, we’ll be bringing the full trio sound, with acoustic guitar, piano, and Paul joining us on sax.

The timing makes the night feel even more fitting. Valley View Club is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, with its original 9-hole course having opened on July 4, 1966. So between the anniversary, the holiday weekend, live music, and fireworks after the show, it has all the makings of a memorable celebration.

Show Details

  • When: July 3, 2026, 5PM – 8PM
  • Where: Valley View Club, 9701 Illinois Highway 82, Cambridge, IL
  • Who: Bell & Field with Paul on sax
  • What to Expect: An evening of acoustic music followed by a fireworks show
  • Venue Website: valleyviewclub.org

Bell & Field acoustic duo

Bell & Field blends acoustic guitar and piano with a mix of familiar covers and original songs. With Paul on sax, the music takes on more texture and warmth, which should fit the setting nicely.  Paul has performed with many music legends such as the Doobie Brothers, B.B. King, 3 Dog Night, and more.  He is a current member of The Classics IV.

We tend to let each show find its own shape. Some songs feel right because of the room, some because of the season, and some simply because the crowd is ready for them. For this one, we’re looking forward to leaning into the feel of a summer evening at the club — relaxed, lively, and celebratory.

About the Venue

Valley View Club is an 18-hole golf course just south of Cambridge, set in a quiet country setting. Along with the course itself, the club features a clubhouse with a lounge and snack shop, plus an outdoor patio and seating area for enjoying the weather.

It feels like the right kind of place for a night like this: music outside, people gathered together, and fireworks to close out the evening. And with the club marking 60 years, there’s a little extra reason to celebrate.

If you’re in the area, come spend the evening with us. We’ll be playing from 5PM to 8PM, with the fireworks show following after our set.

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April 20, 2026 at 9:42 pm

Borderline on the River: Bell & Field Back at Tuggers

It was one of those blustery Saturday drives up to Port Byron where the wind keeps nudging the car and the Mississippi suddenly appears and makes everything feel familiar again. For Tom, it really is familiar – he spent his first eleven years just outside of town – so every time we roll past the river and into Main Street, the nostalgia dial jumps a few notches.

He pointed out where Dairy Dell used to be and told the story (again, in the best way) about playing Pac-Man and Centipede between bites of burgers and ice cream, and grabbing groceries at Winter’s and then Stone’s. Between that and the fact that we’ve played Tuggers a handful of times now, it’s starting to feel less like a gig and more like returning to a slightly rowdier version of home.

Burgers, a Blustery Start, and Getting Our Heads in the Game

Load-in at Tuggers is pretty straightforward: park, haul the piano and guitar in, weave around the regulars at the bar, try not to whack anyone with a keyboard stand. Once the gear was in, the first order of business was food. Tom had already eaten, and I (Greg) had the “Drive-Thru” burger. Don’t be fooled by the name.  It is a legit burger, and it was also served very quickly.  I’ll be honest: I needed it. I felt weirdly off at first, like my body was there but my brain was stuck somewhere south of I-80.

Right before we kicked off, a guy walked in and came right up near the piano. I said, “How you doing?” and he just stared at me with this intense, almost mean look. I don’t think he meant it that way; it was just very present. Meanwhile I was anything but. It threw me for a second, but it also snapped me out of whatever fog I was in. I remember thinking, “Okay, get your shit together and play.” So we did.

Trying New Things: Madonna by the Mississippi

Piano player performing at barWe’d been rehearsing a few tunes more heavily leading up to this one, and those ended up being the highlights for us. The big experiment of the night was debuting “Borderline.” It’s a Reggie Lucas–penned hit for Madonna that has always stuck with Tom, but not exactly the kind of song people expect from a piano–guitar acoustic duo performance in a river bar.

At rehearsal, Greg suggested we slow it way down and lean into the melancholy, almost like a late-night ballad instead of an ‘80s pop track. He had a musician friend (Geoff George) who had done something similar with the song once, and it stuck with him.  Once we tried it that way, we were in. Playing it live for the first time at Tuggers felt like letting people in on a secret. The room actually got a little quieter, and we could feel folks listening instead of just talking over us. That’s always a good sign.

Requests, Red Wine, and Familiar Faces

Musician performing in a barThe rest of the night, the crowd kept us on our toes with requests. We got a run of Simon & Garfunkel – enough that it turned into a mini-set inside the set – plus some Jimmy Buffett. There was one Buffett song Greg didn’t know, but Tom did, so we just went for it. Not flawless, but that’s half the fun.

Derek behind the bar took good care of everyone, including us. Every so often, a couple of Cabernets would just appear when we weren’t looking. If you’ve seen us before, you know red wine is basically our third band member, so that was appreciated.

One of the best parts of the night was seeing who walked through the door. Tom’s friend and colleague Carly Klavon showed up with a few friends, which was a great surprise. We got to catch up with them after the show, and Carly even put in a request for a specific song for our next Tuggers date on May 30. Consider the homework assigned.

We also spotted long-time friends Mike and Marla Skelton in the crowd. There’s something grounding about looking up mid-song and seeing people you’ve known for years nodding along, phones out filming, or just smiling into their drinks.

Tuggers, Hospitality, and What’s Next

Bell & Field: Professional Acoustic DuoThe staff at Tuggers once again made it feel easy to be there – from the kitchen turning out those burgers to the folks making sure we had what we needed between sets. By the end of the night, the wind outside had settled down, the river was calm, and inside it felt like we’d just spent three hours hanging out with old and new friends rather than grinding through a gig.

Somewhere between “Borderline,” the Simon & Garfunkel run, the surprise Cabernet deliveries, and the random intense eye contact guy, the night loosened up into something that reminded us why we keep doing this. We even walked out of there with a new date on the calendar for a July 3 celebration!

We’ll be back at Tuggers on May 30, and we’ve got that out-of-our-norm song brewing that may or may not lead to one of Tom’s colleagues getting a little wild.

If you’re looking for live music in Port Byron or you’ve got a place of your own that could use a piano–guitar soundtrack (with maybe a surprise Madonna ballad thrown in), we’d love to talk. You can reach us about your event here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

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April 19, 2026 at 6:50 pm

Noder Fest in Neponset – August 8, 2026

Bell & Field at Private Event

It’s not every day we get invited to a home in a little town like Neponset for a gathering like the Noder Fest.

This will be our first time playing for this event, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. The hosts, the Noders, throw this bash every year with friends and family, and it’s likely to be both indoor and outdoor. Hopefully, the weather cooperates and we can enjoy making music outside!

Event Details

  • Date: August 8, 2026
  • Time: 6PM – 10PM
  • Location: Private Event – Neponset, Illinois
  • Who is Playing: Bell & Field
  • What to Expect: A blend of acoustic tunes suited to the mix of family and friends to keep the vibe light and fun.

Bell & Field acoustic duo

We’re Bell & Field, a piano-guitar duo that enjoys adjusting our set to fit the occasion. At private events like this one, we tend to pull out a diverse mix of music and some fun covers that people can easily sing along to.

We’re looking forward to a great night with good company and good music!

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April 12, 2026 at 9:41 pm

Seger, Sax Solos, and Opening Weekend at Timberlake Resort

Opening Weekend with Ron, Paul, and a Room Full of Requests

We’d been looking forward to getting back to Timberlake Resort & Campground ever since last year’s show. Ron Swanson has clearly poured a lot of thought into this place – cabins, campsites, and a full calendar of live music – so being asked to help kick off opening weekend again felt pretty great.

This time around, we had a bonus: our friend Paul Weddle on sax. Having a sax along changes how we think about the set; suddenly you’re eyeing every tune like, “Can we sneak a sax solo in here?”

Paul & his wife Dottie made a day of it, heading up early and poking around a few shops on the way to Mt. Carroll. Tom and Malissa followed also ahead of schedule.  Getting there early meant we could all actually breathe a little: unhurried load‑in, time to catch up with Ron, and a chance to say hi to folks as they wandered in from their cabins.

From Bob Seger to Lionel Richie (and a Lot in Between)

Once we started playing, it didn’t take long before the requests started flying. Someone asked for Bob Seger, and that basically wrote the next 10 minutes of the set for us. If you’ve got a sax player like Paul and somebody wants Seger, you have to play “Old Time Rock and Roll.”

The woman who requested it knew exactly what she was doing – she wanted a sax feature. Paul stepped up and absolutely tore into that solo. I found myself grinning mid‑song thinking, “Yep, this is why you invite a sax player.” People were up dancing, singing the chorus back at us, the whole thing.

Not long after that, we got a curveball in the other direction: Lionel Richie’s “Stuck On You.” Total vibe change, but in the best way. Couples drifted into the open space in front of the stage and turned it into a slow‑dance floor. Watching people dance to a tune we don’t play every night is one of those reminders that a live acoustic duo performance doesn’t have to stay in one lane.

We also had multiple people asking for Hall & Oates. We’d never really tried any of their stuff together live, but we figured, why not? So we took a swing at “Rich Girl.” Was it flawless? No. Did it work because the crowd sang half the song with us? Absolutely.

Taking Songs Further Than the Rehearsal Room

Some of the best moments weren’t even the brand‑new requests, but songs we actually rehearse all the time that just hit differently in this room.

“Take the Long Way Home” turned into this wild back‑and‑forth between harmonica and sax during the solo. Harmonica would throw out a line, sax would answer it, and back and forth they went. Honestly, it felt more exciting than the original recording for a minute there.

We also got a request for “Small Town” by John Cougar Mellencamp. By the end, Tom let loose on that last “whoa!” and just held it while Paul harmonized the note on sax above. It’s not the sort of thing you can plan in detail, but when it locks in like that and the room responds with big applause, you remember it.

Another request that fit the sax perfectly was “Ophelia” by The Band. That tune already has a built‑in swagger, and with Paul on top of it, it felt like it was written for this lineup.

Trying Out Southern Cross on the Fly

The most challenging request of the night was “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash. All three of us love that song, but we had never played it together before.

We talked for maybe 20 seconds about the key and who was taking which harmony, and then just went for it. I’ll be honest, I expected at least one train‑wreck moment, but it actually came off really well. Good enough that we’re now talking about working it up properly and adding it to the regular setlist.

Somewhere in there we also snuck in “Summertime Blues” and a few other staples that always get feet moving. It wasn’t the biggest crowd Timberlake has ever had – last time there was bingo before us and the place was absolutely packed – but the people who were there were fully in it, and that matters more than headcount.

Cabins, Chicago Roots, and a Late Drive Home

 

Between sets and after the show, we had a chance to hang out with Ron and a bunch of guests. Greg and Ron realized they both grew up in the Chicago suburbs, so there was some instant “where’d you go to school as a kid?” talk mixed in with the usual music nerdery that all musicians and music enthusiasts love to speak.

Ron set up a cabin for Paul and Dottie, and they came back raving about how big, clean, and comfortable it was. Paul even offered to line up cabins for all of us next time, which sounds pretty tempting after a long night.

Both Paul and Tom brought their wives – which made the night feel less like a gig and more like a little road trip with friends. After we packed up, we chatted a bit more with Ron and some of the campers, but we were definitely running on fumes by the time we hit the road. The drive is about 75–90 minutes for Tom and Greg and closer to two hours for Paul, so rolling into the driveway around 1:30 AM was part of the deal. No regrets, though. The ride home went fast because we were already replaying the best moments in our minds.

Timberlake really leans into live music in Mt. Carroll – they’ve got shows going all season, including bands like Karla and the Phat Catz. If you’re looking for great music, it’s worth checking their schedule at timberlakeresort.com.

 

Thinking About Your Own Campground or Backyard Show?

Nights like this are exactly why we love doing the live acoustic duo (and trio) thing – some planned songs, some wild‑card requests, a few risks, and a lot of singing along.

If you’re putting together an event and want this kind of acoustic setup – guitars, keys, harmonies, and hopefully even some saxophone – we’d be happy to talk about it. You can reach us through this page: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

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