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Payton Schott had rehearsed with us a couple of times before Tuggers, but rehearsal and a live audience are different neighborhoods. On August 22, she stepped into both of her songs for the first time in front of a live audience, with Tom beside her for California and Greg joining her for the Sara Bareilles version of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

California was still new for Tom and Payton, so they were feeling their way through the timing. That is one of the honest parts of working up a song in public: sometimes everybody knows where the road goes while still checking the map. It was a great start.

Two Firsts and a Few Nerves

Then Greg and Payton performed Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. A few nerves showed through, but the performance was sublime. Payton did great on both songs, and she is looking forward to learning more material with us and making more appearances.

It happened on an unusually light day at Tuggers, which was a shame because we had brought along some serious musical company. Tom had family there, a few friends came up from the Quad Cities, and some guests who often see the larger band Tom plays with at the casino stopped in to hear the duo.

Some of those friends got up for a couple of songs to dance. Paul Weddle also had Dottie there, and she danced too. The number of people in the room may have been lighter than usual, but the number of people willing to leave their chairs held up nicely.

Paul Weddle Hits the Gas Pedal

This show was also the first time Paul had joined us at Tuggers, and he brought plenty of energy with him. Greg described him as being on fire on saxophone, which made Take the Long Way Home, one of our favorites to play with him, a centerpiece of the evening.

It had been a while since we had seen Paul and Dottie, but this was not going to be a long reunion followed by another long gap. We already had two more shows with Paul coming the following week at Hog Days in Kewanee. Tuggers became the first stop in a very saxophone-friendly stretch of the calendar.

The River, the Lights and the Golden Arches

The weather cooperated for an evening beside the Mississippi, and the shade screen kept our performance space comfortable. Once again, the lights worked especially well there. Some spaces simply suit a small light show better than others, and Tuggers gives those lights the river as a backdrop.

After the songs, the saxophone and the load-out, the night ended with Tom, Malissa and Greg grabbing a quick bite at McDonalds. It was not the most scenic part of the evening, but every working musician knows that the final destination is sometimes determined less by the Mississippi River and more by what is still serving food.

If you are considering live acoustic music for your own gathering, you can take a look at booking Bell and Field. We would be glad to hear what you have in mind.

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.

Hey friends! We’re looking forward to another enjoyable afternoon at Tres Rojas Winery in Washington. With summer rolling in, it’s a great time to relax outside, maybe sip on some of their lovely dry wines, and enjoy acoustic tunes with us.

You can find us playing on Sunday, August 2, from 1 to 4 PM. It should be a nice way to wind down the weekend, and we’d love to see you there!

If You Are Planning To Come Out

• Date and Time: August 2, 2026, from 1 – 4 PM
• Venue: Tres Rojas Winery, 1774 E Cruger Rd, Washington, IL 61571
• Who’s Playing: Bell & Field
• What to Expect: An acoustic set in a relaxed atmosphere with wine tastings available.
• Venue Website: tresrojaswinery.com

About Bell & Field

We are an acoustic duo that enjoys bringing our smooth harmonies and mix of classic songs from the 60s to the 90s to our shows. We aim to create a calm and cozy environment for everyone who comes out to listen.

About The Venue

Tres Rojas Winery is located in Washington, a charming town near Peoria. They offer a selection of dry and sweet wines and allow you to build your own custom flight. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, making for an inviting experience.

We’d be really happy to share some music with you this Sunday. As always, we welcome song requests, so if there’s something you’d like to hear, let us know! Feel free to leave us comments on this post too, as we love hearing from you.

Audience Gallery

Photos shared by people who joined us for the show.