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June 1, 2026 at 3:10 pm

Pon-Tunes, Blue Lights, and New Tunes at Tuggers

Tuggers has snuck up on us and turned into one of our favorite places to play. Kicking off their Pon-Tunes series on the patio, with the Mississippi right there and that late-May weather in the sweet spot (warm, but not swampy) felt like exactly where a piano-guitar duo should be on a Saturday night.

Full tables, family in the crowd, and an Ice Jam Old Fashioned

By the time we started, the place was already moving with a nice crowd to play to outdoors. Tom’s family made the drive up again, rolling in from a day of golfing and then hanging out by the river playing games on the patio before we even plugged in. Having family there always changes the feel of the night a little—in a good way. It’s like there’s a built-in cheering section that also knows when you’ve flubbed a lyric.

Tuggers just does things with care. The menu is way better than it has any right to be for a place that hosts live music in Port Byron, and the drinks are fun without being weird-for-the-sake-of-weird. Tom’s go-to is the Ice Jam Old Fashioned. He’ll tell you, “It’s perfect,” and you can tell he’s not just saying that because he likes bourbon.

Starting with Croce and sneaking in the new stuff

We kicked things off with “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim.” That Jim Croce groove is such an easy way to get toes tapping and heads turning, especially at a place like Tuggers where people are mid-dinner and deciding whether they’re going to actually listen or just talk over the band. That song usually tips a few tables our way.

We’ve been pushing ourselves to keep adding new material instead of just coasting on the songs we’ve played hundreds of times. So we worked in a batch of tunes we’ve been woodshedding lately:

“Borderline” (yes, Madonna)
“Run for the Roses”
“Walk of Life”
“Because” (Dave Clark Five)
“Sundown”
“No Matter What” (Badfinger)

We didn’t get a rehearsal in between shows, so I’m sure we repeated a few of the same little mistakes from the night before—just with more confidence. Honestly, that’s part of the process. Getting comfortable enough to stop worrying and just play usually tightens things up faster than another run-through in a basement.

Back-to-back shows, one very loud sneeze, and stage-light bugs

This show came right on the heels of another one, so I knew I might not be at 100%. But honestly, once we were set up, the night had a great feel to it.

And then came one of those live-performance moments you cannot really plan for. I had a huge cough mid-song that blasted through the mic with these wild overtones and reverb. Embarrassing enough. Then, in the very next song, I unleashed a truly monstrous sneeze. I actually screamed when it hit. It was loud, obnoxious, and not exactly the kind of “live acoustic duo performance” moment you dream about.

I am just grateful nothing visible flew out of my nose. I remember thinking, “So this is the old man I am becoming. Noted.”

Hopefully that was a one-off.

I brought an insect diffuser since we were playing outdoors, and set it near the piano. It worked beautifully for the first two hours. Then the wick ran out near the end of the night, and it was like someone flipped a switch for every bug in Port Byron to come party in the stage lights. Tom and I both recounted stories from our pasts where we had swallowed bugs while singing. The effect of those blue lights on the river was worth it though.

Requests we knew, and one we’d never even heard of

It wouldn’t be a Bell & Field night without some requests. Most of them were in our wheelhouse, but one person asked for “And We Danced” by The Hooters. Neither of us had ever even heard the song before. But we promised we’d check it out, and who knows—maybe that’ll show up on a future Tuggers setlist. That’s one thing we love about this place: people are actually listening closely enough to throw specific songs at us.

Walking in Memphis, twenty extra dollars, and the right way to end

By the end of the night, Greg was pretty drained and hanging on by a thread, but Tom still had plenty left in the tank. Greg sang “Walking In Memphis” It landed really well—one of those songs that pulls the room together for a few minutes, whether people know us or not.

We wrapped up, said our thank-yous, and started the mental process of shutting things down when a woman came up from a table, handed us $20, and said, “Surely you can play one more.” Well, yes. Yes, we can.

So we closed things out with “Piano Man” and “American Girl,” which turned out to be the right way to finish a full, breezy night on the river. Sometimes the last two songs are decided by a setlist; this time they were decided by a twenty and a very polite insistence.

Cabernet, long drives, and Bell & Field 2.0

The drive home from Port Byron is pretty empty—no fast food, not much of anything, really. I was supposed to be up early the next morning to help Tom put up Levitt Amp concert signs around Galva, but he’d already been up at an extra early hour for church, so he took the 6am shift and let me rest after two nights of playing.

Somewhere in all of this, I decided I’m done drinking at shows. It’s not a dramatic story; it’s just become clear that even a couple drinks wreck my voice the next day, and I want to see what happens if I take the music a bit more seriously from that angle. I’ll still have the occasional drink at dinner on an off night, but not while performing. When I told Tom, he said he’d been thinking the same thing. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our Cabernet era, but it feels like time for Bell & Field 2.0—same songs, same bad jokes, just with water on stage instead.

We’ll be back on the river soon

Tuggers has quickly become one of those rooms we circle on the calendar. Thoughtful staff, great food, that river view, and a crowd that’s actually into the music—that’s pretty much the ideal combination for Tuggers entertainment and for us as a live acoustic duo.

We’ll be back on June 21st for more Pon-Tunes and, hopefully, fewer sneezes and mosquitoes.

If you’re curious what Bell & Field could bring to your own patio, restaurant, or event, you can reach out to us here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

Tom Campbell

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June 1, 2026 at 2:37 pm

Family Traditions, Football Replays, and New Tunes at Cerno’s

Some shows feel like gigs, and some feel like you just plugged in the PA at a family reunion. Tom’s parents’ 52nd anniversary at Cerno’s definitely landed in that second category.

Three Anniversaries, One Room at Cerno’s

This was our third time doing this anniversary party at Cerno’s in downtown Kewanee, and it’s officially a tradition now. Tom’s parents were celebrating 52 years, but they weren’t the only ones being toasted. Tom’s cousin Mark and his wife Maria were at 28 years, Tom’s sister Katie and her husband Dan were at 25, and Tom and Malissa hit 25 too. The dates don’t all line up on the calendar, but that’s where everyone stands, and it felt right to lump it all into one big “we’re still here” celebration.

Between Tom’s parents, Tom and Malissa’s six kids, Aunt Nancy and Uncle Howard, nephews Caleb and Andrew, and Annie’s boyfriend Garrett, the back room at Cerno’s felt like a living room with a Belgian back bar and 30 taps. There were sing-alongs, requests, and the kind of side conversations you only get when half the room shares a last name.

Why This One Hits Different

Tom here: I’ve been lucky to grow up with parents who have quietly modeled what love and support look like. Playing their 50th anniversary at Cerno’s a couple years back was a big deal for me. At the end of that night my mom half-joked, “We should just do this next year because you never know.” That line stuck. We really don’t know when life is going to shift, so coming back for 51 and now 52 has felt like saying, “We’re still together, let’s keep celebrating while we can.”

Greg here: I want to back up to something small but important. When I go to Tom and Malissa’s house to practice, their place is always moving. Kids in and out, friends dropping by, sometimes not even ringing the doorbell—just walking in with cookies or something for the table. There’s a strong sense of trust and inclusion that you can feel. I’m pretty sure a lot of that comes from Jim and Cheri. Over the years, they’ve pulled me into that circle, and honestly, the music almost feels like the side story to the relationships at this point.

First Dances, Old Songs, and New Additions

Of course, we had to play “The Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Paul Noel Stookey. That was Jim and Cheri’s wedding song, and seeing them step out and dance to it again—52 years later—pretty much stopped the room. It’s one of those songs that’s simple on paper but heavy with history when you know what it means to the people in front of you.

We also used this night to finally roll out some songs that had been sitting on the practice list for too long. We opened with “Because” by The Dave Clark Five, then finally took “Run for the Roses” (Dan Fogelberg) out for its first real spin. We debuted “Walk of Life” (Dire Straits), “No Matter What” (Bad Company), and “Sundown” (Gordon Lightfoot). “Sundown” was especially fun.”

We also dusted off some tunes we hadn’t touched in a while: “Round Here” for Tom’s sister, who is a big Counting Crows fan, plus “Margaritaville,” “Take the Long Way Home,” “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” “Southern Nights” (Glen Campbell), and “Hungry Heart.”.

James on Keys and Panthers on the Screen

One of the best parts of this live acoustic duo performance was getting Tom’s son James to play some songs. He jumped on piano for “Sweet Home Chicago” and “Hey Jude,” playing and singing with Tom. James has always been strong with sheet music, but this time he wasn’t reading at all—just playing from memory and feel. Watching him lean into improvising more each year has been its own quiet subplot in these Cerno’s shows.

Then Simeon, another of Tom’s sons, decided to raise the bar on the tribute side of the night. He dug up game footage from Jim’s college football days with the UNI Panthers and got it playing for everyone. Suddenly the anniversary party turned into a Saturday night watch party, with the whole room locked in on the screen, cheering like the game was live. When the reel ended, we launched straight into “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” by Jim Croce. Given how tough Jim looked in those clips, nobody in the room was planning to mess with him, but the guy we know is the one who’ll tear up with gratitude when he talks about family.

Cerno’s Crew, Cerno’s Burgers, and a Detour from Taco Bell

We’ve got to give a special shoutout to Ciara at Cerno’s. She’s taken care of this party three years in a row now—food, drinks, the whole thing—and somewhere along the way we also found out she can really sing. As we were packing up, we heard her belting a tune and just looked at each other like, “Okay, that’s not fair.” We asked if she’d ever want to come by a practice and work up a song or two with us. She said she’d think about it. We’re hoping that “maybe” turns into a “yes.”

Greg’s post-show tradition is usually a quick Taco Bell stop on the short drive home from Kewanee. This time, he pulled up and realized the place was closed for renovations. So it turned into a Burger King run instead. The spicy chicken sandwich did the job, but eating it in the car left sauce all over his jeans. Not exactly glamorous [Kewanee entertainment] life, but that’s the real version.

Looking Ahead (Because You Never Know)

Somewhere in the middle of the night, that line from Tom’s mom—“we should just do this next year because you never know”—came back around in our heads. As long as Jim and Cheri keep wanting to gather everyone at Cerno’s, we’ll keep bringing the guitars, keys, and whatever new songs we’ve been kicking around in Tom’s living room.

If you’re putting together a family celebration or private party and want a live acoustic duo performance that can handle everything from “Hey Jude” sing-alongs to quiet first dances, you can reach us through this page. We’d be glad to be part of your story too.

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May 26, 2026 at 1:17 pm

Big Crowd, New Alley, and a Piano Man Moment at Market Alley Wines

We’ve played Market Alley Wines a few times now, but this May 23rd show in Monmouth felt different the second we turned the corner onto the square. The city’s facelift on Market Alley, plus everything Abner’s and Market Alley Wines have done with the space, really shows. Curtains over the tables, people already settled in, glasses clinking—it actually made us say, “Whoa, this is the same alley?”

Dodging Rain and Trusting the Forecast

On the drive in, a light rain started hitting the windshield and we both had that, “uh oh…” feeling. By the time we got to Market Alley Wines, it was still a little iffy. Sarah, who always takes such good care of us, immediately offered a tent or the option to move inside. We checked the radar, looked at the sky, and decided to gamble on the outdoor setup. “We’ll trust it,” Tom said, probably more confidently than he felt.

The gamble paid off. The clouds hung around just enough to keep it in the mid-70s, and the rain stayed away. Every table was full before we started and stayed that way pretty much the whole show. For a live acoustic duo performance, that’s exactly what you want to see when you hit the first chord.

Requests, Near-Misses, and Desert Delirium

Even before we played a note, a guy came up and said if we could play “Take On Me,” he’d happily sing it. We honestly would have loved to hear that, but we had to admit we don’t know how to play it – at least not in a way that wouldn’t completely fall apart in front of a full alley.

Later in the night, someone asked for “A Horse With No Name” by America. Tom always thinks he knows that one. It’s just a handful of chords, but somehow they never land quite where they’re supposed to. By the time we got to the end, he said he felt like he’d actually been riding through the desert and was a little delirious. Fortunately, we followed it up with “Ventura Highway,” which is one of his absolute favorites and much more in our wheelhouse.

There was also a Pink Floyd request for “Wish You Were Here” in there somewhere. We’re still trying to remember who requested it, but whoever asked clearly had good taste.

New Songs, Sore Fingers, and Sticking to the Favorites

Leading up to this show, we’d been woodshedding a few new tunes we thought we might debut. Tom spent so long on one new chord shape that his pinky was actually sore going into the gig. I’d been hammering an organ part with my left hand way up the keyboard in an awkward position, and my wrist was feeling it too. We both rolled into Monmouth a little pre-injured, musician-style.

In the end, we decided not to roll out the new songs just yet. Honestly, they probably needed a bit more time in the oven. Instead, we leaned into our go-tos—the songs we know we can deliver even when fingers and wrists are complaining. We’ll probably break those new ones out at Tom’s parents’ anniversary show, where we can afford a wrong note or two in front of a very forgiving crowd.

Keith, His Mom, and “Piano Man”

The part of the night that stuck with us the most happened near the end of the show. We closed with “Piano Man,” and there was a man named Keith there with his mom. She’s a pianist who studied classical music but hasn’t been able to play as much lately, still dealing with some lingering COVID effects.

She was really moved by the song, and while we were talking afterward, Keith pulled out his phone, got on Amazon, and bought her the sheet music for “Piano Man” right there. He handed it to her (digitally, anyway) and said, “You can play this!”

We ended up talking about piano music, classical pieces, and even floated the idea of her joining us sometime on Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself,” which quotes Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. She mentioned she struggles with piano because her hands are so small. I laughed and said, “Mine are small too,” and she didn’t really buy it until we literally held our hands up to compare. Turns out, our hands were the exact same size. I can’t remember the last time I measured hand size with someone, but it was pretty funny—and somehow a perfect way to end that conversation.

Keytars, TV Themes, and Taco Bell

As we were packing up, I picked up my 88-key keyboard to carry it out, and two young women walked by. Like a complete dad-joke machine, I pretended it was a keytar and started “shredding” on it as I walked. They were not impressed in the slightest, which honestly made it even better. I’ll be honest, at this point I’ve fully embraced being the old guy with zero shame.

Tom’s wife, Malissa (with an “a”), came along for this one, which made it feel more like a proper little road trip. On the way to Monmouth, we stopped in Galesburg so Tom could pick up his guitar from the music store after getting it repaired, then poked around at all the gear like we always do. By the time the show started, Malissa—who said she doesn’t drink wine that often—already had a glass in hand, which is exactly how to do a night at Market Alley Wines.

After the last chord rang out and the gear was loaded, we hit Taco Bell, as is tradition, and then spent the drive home listening to TV theme songs: “The A-Team,” “MacGyver,” “The Facts of Life,” and even “Manimal.” Don’t ask why we remember “Manimal.” We just do.

About Bell & Field:

We’re a piano-and-guitar acoustic duo that loves nights like this—where live music in Monmouth isn’t just background noise, but a reason for people to fill an alley, sing along, and maybe get inspired to dust off their own instruments again. Huge thanks to Sarah and everyone at Market Alley Wines, and to the city of Monmouth and Abner’s for turning that alley into a place where a crowd actually wants to hang out.

If you’re planning something and want this kind of live acoustic duo performance at your place or event, you can get in touch with us here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

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

We’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

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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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.

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

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

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

If 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

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