Blog Archives

Looking for a delightful way to spend your Saturday afternoon? On August 2, join us at Market Alley Wines in Monmouth, IL, for a special evening featuring the enchanting sounds of Bell & Field alongside a unique wine tasting experience! The event begins at 5:00 PM and concludes at 7:00 PM, offering an atmosphere filled with great music and fine indulgence.

Event Details

• When: Saturday, August 2, 5:00–7:00 PM
• Where: Market Alley Wines – 59 Public Square, Monmouth, IL 61462
• Who: Live acoustic performance by the talented duo, Bell & Field
• What to Expect: A fusion of melodious tunes, exceptional wines, and a cozy ambiance that promises a delightful and intimate gathering.
• Website: Market Alley Wines

About Bell & Field:

Bell & Field are celebrated for their smooth harmonies and timeless repertoire from the ’60s to the ’90s. Their acoustic set is crafted to foster a warm, inviting atmosphere—ideal for enjoying the music as well as the exceptional wines available.

The Venue: Market Alley Wines & Monmouth’s Warm Welcome

Situated in the heart of Monmouth’s charming Public Square, Market Alley Wines is known for its inviting space and curated selection of wines. Here, you can savor a relaxed vibe complemented by a community that exudes warmth and hospitality. Monmouth’s rich history and thriving local culture make this venue a perfect backdrop for an intimate evening of music and wine.

Join Us for a Memorable Experience

Gather your friends and join us for a captivating evening where live music meets curated wines. Whether you’re a dedicated fan of Bell & Field or eager to explore new wine flavors, this event promises to offer something special for everyone. Which song or wine are you most looking forward to experiencing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Raise a glass to an unforgettable night of music, wine, and camaraderie at Market Alley Wines!

What a night to remember! On July 11, 2025, the skies above Rams Riverhouse seemed determined to test our resolve with torrential rains, fierce winds, and even tornado warnings. As we drove into town under ominous clouds, our excitement about performing with legendary saxophonist Paul Weddle kept spirits high, even as we became thoroughly drenched hauling our gear inside.

The Challenges and the Triumph

Load-in was truly an adventure. Wind gusts and driving rain made it difficult just to get our equipment through the door. As we shook off water and started setting up, the question lingered: would anyone brave such monsoon-like conditions to join us?

After completing what seemed like a successful soundcheck, we confidently started our first song—only to be interrupted 15 seconds in by loud crackles, pops, and sudden silence as the mixer abruptly shut down. We quickly switched to a backup mixer, only to encounter the same distressing sounds again. With tension rising, Tom noticed an erratic red light flickering on one of the mixer channels. Thankfully, we discovered a faulty keyboard cable was the culprit. Once replaced, everything finally fell into place. Third time truly was the charm!

Musical Highlights

From the moment we overcame the technical hurdles, the show took off spectacularly. Opening with energetic classics like “Be-Bop-A-Lula” and “Hello Mary Lou,” we immediately connected with an enthusiastic audience determined to enjoy the night despite the storm.

Setlist Standouts

• “New York State of Mind” showcased Paul’s incredible musical instincts and powerful sax solos, elevating the soulful vibe of the evening.
• “The Way You Look Tonight”, beautifully sung by Paul himself, captured the room with its timeless charm.
• “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty was an undeniable highlight. Paul’s rendition of that iconic saxophone riff thrilled everyone present, and it’s already on our must-repeat list.
• “Spooky” was a crowd favorite, made even more special because Paul has toured with the Classics IV—the very band known for this hit. He took full advantage of the venue, weaving through the crowd and mesmerizing everyone with his engaging performance.

A Night with Paul Weddle

Playing alongside Paul Weddle was extraordinary. Paul’s extensive experience touring with legendary artists like the Doobie Brothers, B.B. King, and Elton John was evident in every note. His effortless sax playing added layers of sophistication to our music, gracefully complementing vocal lines, creating dynamic fills, and delivering thrilling solos. Paul’s generous musicality truly brought our sound to a whole new level.

The camaraderie and mutual enjoyment we experienced were unmistakable. After the final notes faded, we lingered for nearly an hour in conversation, sharing stories and expressing our genuine excitement to collaborate again in the future.

Gratitude and Looking Forward

We’re deeply grateful to Steve Baxter, owner of Rams Riverhouse, for his generous hospitality and unwavering support. It warmed our hearts to see so many familiar faces, including our good friend Paul Ganahl—who hosts fantastic open mics at Rams Riverhouse and our favorite Port Byron venue, Tuggers—as well as Tom’s parents, wife Malissa, and son James, who all braved the stormy weather to support us.

Most importantly, a massive thank you goes out to the resilient and enthusiastic audience. Your energy and applause made this evening incredibly special, turning what could have been a challenging night into one of the most memorable performances we’ve ever had.

If you were inspired by this event, book us for your next event, and let’s create lasting memories together!

Every time we perform at The V’ue in Clinton, IA, we’re reminded of what makes live music so special. There’s something truly magical about this venue—from the cozy, inviting stage setup to the soothing scent of incense drifting through the room. This evening was no exception, with an intimate audience of about 20 enthusiastic friends and music lovers, delicious charcuterie boards, and a perfect acoustic vibe.

The Highlights from Our Set

Audience requests made this night unforgettable! Here are a few standouts:

• “Summer in the City” by Lovin’ Spoonful – An upbeat crowd-pleaser!
• “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis – Always fun, always fiery!
• “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” by Dr. Hook – A delightful surprise! We laughed when we realized we didn’t quite remember the bridge but improvised seamlessly back into the chorus.
• “Norwegian Wood” by The Beatles – Emulating that iconic sitar melody on the keys never gets old.

A Special Duet with Brooke Byam

A highlight of the night was undoubtedly when Brooke Byam, owner of The V’ue, joined us on stage. We had a request for something by Fleetwood Mac, and Brooke suggested “Rhiannon“—what an inspired choice! Her vocals soared beautifully and soulfully, and we loved adding some additional harmonies.  We think it created some good chills in the audience.  The reaction was very enthusiastic. Thanks for sharing your incredible talent, Brooke!

Selected Favorites from Our Setlist

• “I Feel Fine” – The Beatles (Brooke captured an awesome video of this!)
• “Ventura Highway” – America
• “Small Town” – John Mellencamp
• “Riders on the Storm” – The Doors
• “Can’t Buy Me Love” – The Beatles
• “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” – Jim Croce

Though encores aren’t typically part of our routine, we didn’t want to turn down this fantastic crowd who wanted more. We wrapped up the evening with a lively singalong to “Brown Eyed Girl“—the perfect finale for a wonderful night!

The Unique Atmosphere & Our After-Show Tradition

The V’ue’s speakeasy-style charm and welcoming vibe make it one of our favorite venues. Brooke always ensures we’re right at home. Before the show, keeping tradition alive, we headed down the street to Holly’s Dogs (a charming eatery housed in a repurposed old bank) and enjoyed a couple of tasty Pork Carnitas Dogs—a perfect addition to the night!

Thanks to everyone who joined us at The V’ue and made this evening so memorable. We’re already excited for our next performance!

Want to bring Bell & Field’s acoustic magic to your event?
Book Us Today!

What a delightful morning we had at the “Spring in Bloom” event at the Galva Arts Council! The sun was shining bright, doors wide open, and the warmth of a beautiful Mother’s Day weekend flowed in freely. We were welcomed warmly by the volunteers who took such great care of us—making for a truly memorable and relaxed performance.

A Musical Morning to Remember

Our set was shaped by the intimate, laid-back atmosphere and the acoustically perfect room. The Galva Arts Council has one of those rare spaces where voices and instruments blend effortlessly, creating a uniquely rich sound. We tailored our performance accordingly, leaning into some of our favorite ballads:

• ‘Something’ by The Beatles
• ‘Wildfire’ by Michael Murphy
• ‘Slip Sliding Away’ by Paul Simon

We also ventured into new territory by request, playing Bryan Adams’ “Cuts Like a Knife.” Though a bit ragged around the edges, it came together beautifully for the relaxed crowd. One standout moment was our closing performance of “Blue” by The Jayhawks—a song that continues to deepen and resonate each time we play it.

Highlights & Special Moments

• Seeing friendly faces like Nancy Anderson and Mike Martin, who graciously snapped some photos for us (always great to connect with another PHP developer!).
• Enjoying thoughtful conversations with Linda, the president of the Galva Arts Council board, reflecting on the progress and vibrant community around this special venue.
• The lively backdrop of jewelry-making behind the building and a tasty lunch served during our set, adding to the festive yet cozy feel.

Post-Show Celebration

After the show, we kept our tradition alive and headed over to CCT for a quick lunch and, yes, even a glass of beer (no worries—we still enjoyed our usual Cabernet during the show!). It was great chatting with Jason about our upcoming gig in their exciting new Voodoo Room. As we dined, we couldn’t resist popping Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” onto the jukebox for Chad, turning lunch into a spontaneous sing-along!

Looking Ahead

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, making this morning concert feel like a warm gathering of friends. We’re looking forward to returning to Galva soon and exploring more opportunities to share our music with such wonderful audiences.

Interested in bringing our acoustic melodies and warm atmosphere to your next event? Book us for your next event—we’d love to perform for you!