We weren’t totally sure we were going to make it to Market Alley Wines this time. Six inches of fresh snow, dropping temps, and that steady Midwest wind that makes you question all your life choices. But it’s Market Alley, and we love playing there, so we packed up the van, pointed it southwest on Hwy 34, and went for it.
The roads were rough, but between the two of us we’ve logged a lot of winters behind the wheel, so it was more “slow and steady” than “white-knuckle panic.” By the time we hauled the gear through the slush, brushed off the snow, and stepped inside, the cold started to fall away pretty quickly. Sarah and her crew had the place humming, and before long we had our first glasses of cabernet down and guitars, keys, and cables sprawled across the floor like usual.
Weather be Damned, the Hangout Was On
Market Alley Wines never feels like a typical bar. You’re surrounded by walls and tables of bottles, and it honestly feels more like you’ve walked into a friend’s living room where everyone just happens to be really into wine. Even with the storm, people still came out, and the ones who did stayed, talked, and settled in for the whole thing.
Sarah had messaged ahead of time to see if we were still planning on coming. As soon as we said yes, she posted a video telling folks, basically, “The band is still coming—get in here.” That kind of support makes it a lot easier to throw the gear in the van when the forecast looks ugly.
Dock of the Bay, Requests, and a Growing Beatles Experiment
We eased into the night with “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” whistle and all. It fits the Market Alley pace: people talking, laughing, sipping wine, then suddenly you see a head tilt or a grin when they realize, “Oh, they’re doing this one.” That happened a lot during the night.
Some tunes that really landed:
- “Round Here” – the room got noticeably quieter halfway through this one.
- “Bittersweet” – always seems to spark conversations at tables.
- “Losing My Religion” – a couple folks by the bar started quietly singing along.
- “Great Balls of Fire” – this one is just pure chaos for the hands, but it’s worth it.
- “Ventura Highway” – one of those songs where you can literally see shoulders drop and people relax.
We also took “Come Together” for its second spin as a duo. First time out, it felt a little like walking on a tightrope. This time, the groove started to settle in. “I’ll be honest, I never realized how active that bass line is until I tried to play it with my left hand while the right hand is doing something else entirely,” Greg said later. It’s one of those songs that makes you a better player whether you like it or not.
One of Tom’s favorite things about this room is being set up right by the front door. Every time it swings open and a new group walks in, there’s that split second where they’re stomping snow off their boots, then they hear whatever song we’re in the middle of and you see the recognition hit. It’s a fun little feedback loop for us all night.
Conversations, Dylan, and a McDonald’s Drive-Thru Soundtrack
After we wrapped, a bunch of folks came up to chat on their way out. We got to see Dylan again—yes, named after Bob Dylan—who we’d met after a previous show. He’s one of those people you instantly remember. We found ourselves wondering on the drive home, “Is he a musician too?” If you’re reading this, Dylan, we’re still curious.
We’d planned to hit Iron Spike Brewing for some food, but when we got there the kitchen was closed, which is pretty unusual. Maybe the weather kept staff from making it in; who knows. So we defaulted to the classic touring-musician meal: McDonald’s.
The drive back turned into its own weird little soundtrack experiment. It started with “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” by Mr. Rogers, and now Greg is deep into figuring out how to actually play that song. “What a beast it is,” he said, half laughing, half already in practice-mode. Apple Music then decided we needed more children’s songs, so by the time we rolled through the McDonald’s drive-thru, we had kids’ music cranked way louder than necessary. The two women at the window gave us some very confused looks, which honestly just made it funnier.
Later we detoured briefly into a few tracks from Miss Saigon, then eventually wandered back to our usual favorites as the miles went by and the snow kept falling.
Already Looking Toward 2026 at Market Alley
Even with the smaller weather-limited crowd, it felt like exactly what a Saturday at Market Alley Wines is supposed to be: people talking across tables, trying new wines, tossing us request ideas, and hanging out long after they meant to leave. We’ve already got dates on the books there for 2026, and we’re genuinely excited to keep coming back—snow or no snow.
If you’re looking for live acoustic duo performance options for your place, winery, taproom, or private party, we’d love to talk about it. You can reach us and see what Bell & Field could bring to your event here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.
About Bell & Field:
Bell & Field are known for their harmonies and a song list that runs from the ’60s through the ’90s, all arranged for acoustic guitar, piano, and two voices. We aim to make each room feel like its own little listening party, whether that’s a wine bar, brewery, backyard, or anything in between.
Hey folks! If you’re looking for a low-key Saturday night to unwind and enjoy some great music, we have just the thing for you. We’ll be playing at Timberlake Resort & Campground in Mt. Carroll, a place known for its cabins and campsites. This setting is perfect for relaxing and catching up with friends.
Lincoln, couches, and a Christmas party next door
One of the fun parts of Copper & Oak is the mix of people. We had folks comparing tasting notes on bourbon flights, others just clocking out from the week with a craft beer, and a few who were clearly there for the music first.
Get ready for an exhilarating evening in Port Byron, IL! On November 21, join us at Tuggers for an unforgettable night of music and community spirit. From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, enjoy an acoustic performance by Bell & Field paired with delicious offerings from Tuggers. It’s a perfect occasion to dive into the joyful ambiance ahead of Thanksgiving week.
Walking back through that unmarked door felt less like loading in for a gig and more like opening a time capsule. It’s only been a 3 or 4 years since Greg used to play this room solo on a regular basis, but enough has changed in life that the bar, the staff, even the way the room smells hit like a flashback. Same comfortable low light, and a handful of familiar faces looking up like, “Hey, you’re back.”
