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June 10, 2025 at 2:26 pm

Celebrating Milestones: A Special Evening at Elk’s Lodge

Graduation, Music & Family Memories at Elk’s Lodge

Amos and Tom performing together at Elk's Lodge
Amos and Tom sharing the stage for some
memorable father-son tunes.

What a magical night it was at the Elk’s Lodge in Kewanee! Graduation is always a special occasion, but this evening had extra personal significance for us. Tom’s son, Amos, graduated alongside his girlfriend, Veronica, and we were honored to contribute musically to Veronica’s graduation party. Her family created a beautifully decorated, joy-filled environment which was the perfect backdrop for the festivities.

Highlights from the Evening

  • Father-son duo: Amos joined Tom to kick things off, performing crowd favorites like “Let It Be,” “Lean On Me,” “Imagine,” “Hey Jude,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “American Pie.” Amos’s piano skills were impressive and his hard work truly shone through.
  • Heartwarming audience participation: One graduate friend couldn’t resist joining in on vocals, creating an impromptu sing-along.
  • A playful suggestion: We teased Amos about learning Elvis Costello’s song “Veronica” or even writing an original song for his girlfriend—stay tuned, we might have a songwriter in the making!

The Bell & Field Setlist & Atmosphere

After Amos and Tom warmed up the crowd, we took over with our usual blend of familiar favorites and some fresh additions we’ve recently embraced. The energy in the room was fantastic—especially with younger guests having a blast, bouncing balloons and soaking in the celebratory vibes.

Venue Appreciation

The Elk’s Lodge proved ideal for this joyful gathering. Its modern, clean layout complemented the festive décor perfectly. Setting up on the floor allowed us to interact easily with the guests and the DJ, who reminded us it’s about time we added some Steely Dan to our repertoire. We agree—”Reelin’ In the Years,” anyone?

Amos and Tom performing live music together
A memorable father-son performance at Veronica’s graduation celebration.

Overall, it was a memorable evening filled with wonderful connections, joyful celebrations, and heartfelt music. Congratulations to Veronica, Amos, and the entire graduating class—we’re excited to see the bright futures ahead!

Book us for your next event and let’s create musical memories together!

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June 1, 2025 at 4:34 pm

Celebrating 51 Years: A Memorable Evening at Cerno’s

An Evening to Cherish: Celebrating 51 Wonderful Years

Bell & Field performing live at Cerno's
Bell & Field setting the mood at Cerno’s

It’s always special when we’re invited back to help celebrate a milestone, and Tom’s parents’ 51st anniversary was no exception. Gathering at Cerno’s in Kewanee, IL, with family and close friends made for a truly heartwarming evening. “Happy 51st Anniversary… you never know” was humorously inscribed on the cake and quickly became the evening’s mantra. And isn’t it true? Each day is precious, and celebrating life’s milestones with loved ones is something we’ll never take for granted.

Highlights from the Night

  • We debuted “Lonely People” by America, and it came together beautifully. It’s always exciting when a new song resonates so effortlessly.
  • A special highlight was when Tom’s son, James, joined us onstage to play “Sweet Home Chicago” alongside his dad. James has remarkable talent on the piano, and his enthusiasm made the moment even sweeter.
  • The most touching moment was performing Tom’s parents’ first dance song from their wedding, “The Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Paul Stookey. Watching Jim & Cheri relive that moment was genuinely moving.
  • A lively, hand-clapping rendition of “Bennie and the Jets” brought energy and laughter to the gathering.
  • Our wonderful server, Ciara, once again made us feel at home, singing along and sharing in the joy of the evening.
  • In a funny twist, we all sang “Happy Birthday” instead of “Happy Anniversary” before the cake cutting. It took us a moment to realize our mistake, but it added to the evening’s laughter and joy.

New Tunes & Future Plans

Earlier in the day at Tom’s house, we started rehearsing “The Word” by The Beatles—what a great vibe and rich harmonies this song has! We’re excited to debut it at our next performance. We also began working on Chicago’s “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?” but, ironically, ran out of time to perform it this evening. Next time!

A Big Thanks to Family & Friends

Everyone pitched in to help us unload and load our gear—another reminder of the warmth and kindness we always experience from this family. Nights like these leave us a little tired (and perhaps slightly hungover!), but it’s more than worth it for the memories we create together.

Jim & Cheri celebrating their 51st anniversary
Jim & Cheri celebrating 51 years together

As the cake humorously reminded us: “you never know.” So let’s keep celebrating, laughing, and making music together. Thank you to Tom’s family for inviting us to share in this unforgettable evening at Cerno’s.

Book us for your next event and let Bell & Field help make your celebration memorable!

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