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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.

Walking into Treehouse Pub & Eatery on November 1 felt less like loading in for a gig and more like dropping by a neighborhood hangout we’d somehow missed out on until now. The reclaimed wood, the low hum of conversation, the smell of pizza coming out of the oven—it all made it pretty easy to forget we were technically there to work.

Treehouse Pub: Food, Friends, and a Stage

Treehouse in Bettendorf has a reputation for being one of those places where people actually show up for the music, not just the TV screens and appetizers. Their menu is no joke either—gourmet burgers, artisan pizzas, and a long list of craft beers that had more than a few people studying the taps like a final exam.

My pre-show ritual that night was the Cuban Sandwich on Rustic Sourdough. It was exactly what I needed before we started—messy in the best way, and just enough fuel to make it through the first set without eyeing everyone else’s plates.

New Tunes, Old Favorites

We built the night around a mix of songs we know like muscle memory and a few we were brave (or foolish) enough to debut on the spot.

New additions to the set included:

• “Bittersweet” by Big Head Todd and the Monsters – We definitely took a minute to find our footing on this one, but once it locked in, the room leaned in with us and it ended up being a crowd favorite.
• “Jealous Again” by The Black Crowes – Our version turned into one of those head-nod, foot-tap moments where you can tell people recognize it from the first few chords.
• “Round Here” by Counting Crows – This one is no small lift, but we were really happy with how our first run went. It felt like the kind of song we’ll keep coming back to.
• “What You Give” by Tesla – This started as a surprise request and quickly turned into a sing-along. Sometimes the unplanned ones are the most fun.

We also mixed in some originals, including my song “My Shadow”. We’d only rehearsed it a handful of times, so it still had that slightly fragile, on-the-edge feeling, but it settled in nicely and might have just earned itself a regular spot in future sets.

Two Gears, One Night

At one point I joked with Tom that we only have two gears: before the wine and after the wine. Early in the evening, everything felt dialed in—tight harmonies, clean transitions, the kind of set where people can talk over their dinner but still catch a line here and there.

As the night went on, the room loosened up and so did we. We started leaning into the banter, telling a few stories between songs, and letting the tempo and volume creep up just enough to match the noise level of the bar.

Tom’s parents came out, which always makes it feel a little like a family gathering, and our friends Katherine and Marshall were there too. Having familiar faces in the crowd changes the whole night—it turns a show into more of a conversation.

Guest Vocals and TV Theme Curveballs

Marshall ended up joining us on stage for a few jazz standards, and his baritone voice completely shifted the mood in the best way. You could feel the room go quiet in that “nobody wants to talk over this” kind of way.

Later on, someone tossed out a request for TV theme songs. That turned into us pulling out the “Taxi” theme, which is not exactly something you expect to hear at a pub on a weeknight. It got a big reaction and more than a few surprised smiles.

Sing-Alongs and a World Series Win

We moved “Piano Man” earlier in the set than we usually do, and it immediately turned into a full-house sing-along—the kind where you can pretty much stop playing and let the crowd carry it.

The World Series game was on while we played, so to nod to that, we wrapped up with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. It was another one of those songs everyone knows whether they planned to sing or not.

By the time we got home, the Dodgers had clinched the World Series. That win meant a lot to Greg and to his mom’s late husband, who was a lifelong Dodgers fan. It felt like the night ended on a personal high note, both on and off the stage.

Thanks, Treehouse

Huge thanks to Brian and the whole team at Treehouse Pub & Eatery for taking such good care of us and giving us a place where the music, the food, and the people all seemed to be on the same wavelength. We’re already looking forward to coming back.

If you’re planning a party, private event, or anything that could use some live acoustic music, we’d love to be part of it. Book us for your next event and let’s see what kind of night we can create together.

Sunday afternoons are kind of our favorite time to play, and this one’s on the calendar: on Sunday, March 1, we’re bringing Bell & Field out to Hidden Hills Vineyard & Winery in Galesburg, IL for a laid-back stretch of acoustic songs and wine from 1:00-4:00 PM.

When, Where, and What’s Going On

• When: Sunday, March 1, 2026, 1:00-4:00 PM
• Where: Hidden Hills Vineyard & Winery – 120 Hidden Dr, Galesburg, IL 61401
• Who: Live acoustic set by Bell & Field
• What to Expect: Classic songs from the ’60s-’90s, good wine, and a few hours where you can actually slow down and look out over the vines.
• Website: Hidden Hills Vineyard & Winery

What Our Set Feels Like in a Room Full of Wine Glasses

We’re an acoustic piano-and-guitar duo, and we keep it pretty simple on purpose: two voices, guitar, keys, and just enough sound to fill the room without making you yell across the table. Most of what we play is from the ’60s through the ’90s-the kind of songs you already know the words to, even if you haven’t heard them in a while.

If you’re the type who likes to really listen, you’ll be able to hear every lyric. If you’re there for a tasting and a long conversation, we’ll be the soundtrack in the background instead of the thing you have to talk over. Expect a mix of slower, more romantic tunes and some lighter, upbeat classics so you can sip, talk, or wander around the property and not feel like you’re missing the “main event.”

The Drive Out to Hidden Hills (and Why We Like Playing There)

Hidden Hills lives up to its name-you wind your way out of town, turn a corner, and suddenly there are rolling hills, rows of vines, and a tasting room that makes it very easy to say “sure, we’ve got time for one more pour.” It’s close enough to Galesburg to be an easy Sunday drive, but far enough that it feels like you’ve stepped out of your usual routine for a few hours.

The crowd that shows up here is usually a good mix: people who are into the wine, people who just needed an excuse to get out of town for the afternoon, and folks who are happy to sit, listen, and stay put instead of rushing off to the next thing. That slower pace fits us really well.

Come Spend the Afternoon With Us

If you’re hunting for a low-key way to spend a Sunday-date, group of friends, or just you and a glass of something good-come hang out. We’ll bring the songs, Hidden Hills will handle the wine, and you can decide if you’re there to listen closely, talk quietly, or just stare out at the vines for a while.

Got a favorite classic tune you’re hoping we’ll cover, or a go-to wine you always order at Hidden Hills? Drop it in the comments so we know what you’re hoping to hear-or sip-when you get there.

If you’re a venue or event planner and want this kind of laid-back acoustic setup for your own crowd, you can find booking info here: Book Bell & Field.