The rain arrived about 45 minutes before our 1 pm start at Edison’s Gastropub, which is excellent timing if you are a cloud and less useful if you are carrying instruments.
Fortunately, the spacious canopy was already in place. Edison’s open doors and wide flip-up bar window also gave this outdoor show an indoor route, with the live mix carried into the building. The weather kept switching between rain and less rain, but the tent did its job and we started on schedule.
Our voices took a little time to warm up. That happens sometimes, especially during an afternoon set when the vocal cords apparently expect a written invitation. Once they were fully clocked in, we brought back Bittersweet, a song that had been away from the set for a while.
Three Stops Across America
The middle of the show included an unusual three-song America run: Lonely People, A Horse With No Name and Ventura Highway. Most trips across America require fuel, snacks and several arguments with a navigation app. Ours required a guitar, piano and a careful count-in.
We also debuted the Statler Brothers song Flowers on the Wall. Add Margaritaville, which has been turning up more often in our summertime sets, and the afternoon covered a fair amount of musical geography without either of us leaving the canopy.
The intermittent rain continued through much of the set. By the final notes of Tiny Dancer, the weather had supplied nearly every variation available between damp and slightly less damp.
Karaage!
The day also had a strong food subplot. Before the show, karaage from Edison’s new menu handled the pre-performance meal. Greg ate plenty of Lawson’s karaage-kun during his 10 years in Japan, and was happy to see a similar item on the menu here.
Back at Edison’s, the post-show stretch included a quick conversation with manager Jewel and owner Paul about dates for next year. That brought the afternoon neatly back to where it began: under a well-planned canopy at a venue built to keep the music going when August weather ignores the forecast.
We finished packing up the last or our items, and Tom set off for his immediate next gig. That’s true endurance!
If you are planning an event and could use a piano-and-guitar duo with songs, stories and weather-tested equipment, take a look at our booking page. We would be glad to hear what you have in mind.
House Divided Brewery sits right in the middle of Ely, but it’s more than just a spot to grab a beer. Cal and Lisa, the owners, built the whole place around their split sports loyalties, and somehow that friendly rivalry ends up making the room feel even more welcoming. You can tell people come here to linger, not just to drink and leave.
It wasn’t a huge crowd, but the folks who were there were really with us. A few songs in, we launched into “Sweet Caroline,” and that’s when the singalong broke out. You never quite know if people are going to commit to the “so good, so good, so good” part, but they absolutely did. Those are the moments that remind us why we haul gear around on our weekends.
Looking for a refreshing way to spend your Saturday afternoon? On October 4, join us at House Divided Brewery in Ely, IA, for a memorable day that combines the harmonious melodies of Bell & Field with the finest local brews! The event starts at 3:00 PM and wraps up by 6:00 PM, creating a perfect setting for a laid-back, music-filled afternoon.
About Bell & Field:
