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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.

Last Friday at Treehouse Pub & Eatery in Bettendorf, IA felt less like a brand-new gig and more like walking back into a room we already knew how to play. We rolled our cases onto the back patio, did the usual cable tangle and tuning tweaks, and by the time we looked up, the place had filled in with conversation, clinking glasses, and people settling in to hang out with us for the night.

The “Backyard” Stage Out Back

If you haven’t been to Treehouse Pub & Eatery, the name isn’t just clever branding. The back patio really does feel like someone built a multi-level wooden treehouse, then decided it needed a bar, a kitchen, and a lot of railings. There are string lights overhead, solid tables, and just enough elevation changes to make it feel like a backyard someone kept adding onto.

From the first tune, people felt close in—not just physically, but in the way they were actually paying attention. Heads turned when we hit the first chord. Folks were humming and singing along on the choruses, tossing us requests and comments between sets. We never feel like background noise at Treehouse; the patio leans into the show with us.

Starting Big, Then Sneaking In the New Stuff

We opened with a more upbeat first set to match the early dinner rush—songs with hooks people recognize, steady grooves, and plenty of toes tapping under the tables. Once that first wave finished their food and started heading out, the patio thinned a bit, and we took that as our chance to get a little braver with the set list.

“South City Midnight Lady” by The Doobie Brothers has been living on our music stands for a while, so finally playing it in front of actual humans felt like checking off a quiet little goal. It’s a layered, slow-burn song, and we honestly weren’t sure how it would feel outside the practice room. The applause came quickly and felt genuinely warm—one of those exhale moments that makes you think, “Okay, we can keep going down this road.”

We also brought out “Walk On the Ocean” by Toad the Wet Sprocket and “Round Here” by Counting Crows for their first public spin. Both of those live in that moody, storytelling lane we love—less about huge singalong choruses and more about letting the lyrics and dynamics carry things. You could feel the patio quiet down a notch as people tuned in, which is exactly what we hope happens with songs like that.

Cranking It Back Up With Old-School Rock & Roll

As the night went on, more people drifted back onto the patio, and the volume of the room climbed right along with them. We shifted gears and reached for the old rock & roll anchors: “Be-Bop-a-Lula” and “Great Balls of Fire.” Those two refuse to sit quietly in the background.

There was clapping on the backbeats, some full-on chair-dancing, and a lot of big grins aimed our way. Those piano parts move fast enough that there’s not much time to think about anything except keeping your hands where they’re supposed to be, but hearing people singing over the top of it makes the juggling act worth it.

Craig, Jana, and Familiar Family Faces

One of the highlights of the night was meeting Craig and Jana, who stayed with us all the way through the last song. After we wrapped up and started the slow process of coiling cables and packing up, we caught them on their way out and had a quick conversation and thank-you. Those end-of-the-night chats are short, but they’re the ones that replay in your head on the drive home.

We also had some very familiar faces in the crowd: Tom’s parents came out to the show. Having family in the audience adds a strange mix of comfort and pressure—you know at least two people out there have heard you practice these songs when they were a lot rougher, so you’re hoping they notice the progress.

Patio Weather That Actually Behaved

The weather did us a favor and hovered right around 75°. No jackets, no shivering, and we weren’t chasing guitars or piano tuning all night. For an outdoor show, that’s about as low-maintenance as it gets.

We’re not counting on that kind of luck once the temperatures drop, which is why we’re actually looking forward to our next Treehouse date being indoors—our first time playing the inside space there. Same crowd, same staff, just a new corner of the building for us to figure out.

Next Treehouse Date & How to Bring Us to Your Event

We’ll be back at Treehouse Pub & Eatery on Saturday, November 1. Whether you’ve seen us a bunch of times or you’re just curious what a piano–guitar duo sounds like in that room, we’d love to have you there.

If you’d like Bell & Field to bring this mix of new tunes, familiar classics, and plenty of interaction to your own event, you can book us for your next event. We’re always glad to add another party, wedding, or gathering to the growing list of nights we get to play.

Saturday night at Treehouse Pub & Eatery in Bettendorf, IA was one of those easy evenings that make outdoor shows a pleasure. The deck sits above a quiet stretch of Duck Creek, and with a light breeze and room to spread out, it felt made for an acoustic duo.

The Setting

Treehouse’s deck gives you trees, water, and plenty of space to relax. For our first time here, it was a comfortable fit: a steady flow of guests, good food moving across the patio, and a crowd that leaned in from the first few tunes.

Highlights from the Night

We kept the setlist familiar and let the songs do the heavy lifting. A few that landed especially well:

• It’s the End of the World as We Know It — R.E.M.
• Rikki Don’t Lose That Number — Steely Dan
• And She Was — Talking Heads
• This Guy’s in Love with You — Herb Alpert
• Piano Man — Billy Joel

Midway through the evening we brought back Billy Joel’s Vienna after a long break, and the quiet that fell before the chorus told us we chose right. We also had a birthday table; everyone joined in for Happy Birthday, which turned into an easy singalong and a nice reset before the next set.

A Couple of Stories

Someone tipped us with a $10,000 bill—novelty money, of course—but it got a laugh up and down the rail. On a practical note, Greg had a bit of a health scare the next morning, which brought a reminder to take care of the basics: hydration and balanced meals. A potassium dip isn’t the encore anyone wants, so we’re building in better pre-show routines.

What’s Next

We wrapped up the night with a quick chat about future dates, and we’re happy to share we’ll be back at Treehouse Pub & Eatery on October 17 and November 1. Big thanks to Brian and the Treehouse team for the welcome and an easy first show on the deck. We’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces—and a few new ones—when we return.

If you’re looking for an acoustic duo for your patio night, private party, or a relaxed dinner crowd, we’d love to help you set the tone. Book us for your next event.

Last Saturday, Bell & Field took the stage at Edisons Gastropub in Bettendorf, IA, and created a memorable afternoon filled with music, laughter, and delicious food.  Greg and I were thrilled to bring our harmonies to this vibrant venue, and it quickly became one of our favorite places to play.

An Enchanting Afternoon

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the friendly staff at Edison’s, who guided us to our performance area. The venue’s top-notch layout and decor provided the perfect backdrop for our set, which included classics like “Summer Breeze,” “Ventura Highway,” and “Walking in Memphis.” A special highlight was our rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which we hadn’t played in a while but was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience both inside and outside. And by the way, the weather was perfect!

Setlist Highlights

• “Summer Breeze”
• “Ventura Highway”
• “Walking in Memphis”
• “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”

The Vibrant Vibe of Edison’s

Edison’s Gastropub has a unique charm, blending modern comforts with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Paul, the owner, has integrated sound and video throughout the establishment, enhancing the experience for everyone present. As performers, we appreciated the seamless support from the staff, making our setup and performance feel like a breeze. The audience was fantastic, and we were thrilled to hear that our act, along with the one from the previous day, were some of the best they’ve had in a long time.

A Culinary Delight

After our performance, Greg and I stayed for a meal and a drink, sampling Edison’s exquisite menu. Whether you’re there for the music or the food, Edison’s excels in providing a top-notch experience. The service was impeccable, with the staff attentive to our needs both as performers and as guests enjoying a delightful meal. It’s no wonder we can’t wait to return!

This event was a testament to the power of live music in creating community and joy. If you’re looking to add a touch of harmony to your next event, book us for your next event and let Bell & Field bring melody and magic to your occasion.