Kewanee has one of those downtowns where you can still picture what it looked like a few decades ago just by walking a block or two. The Historical Society sits right in the middle of that, with the murals and old storefronts close by and the museum quietly holding all the details the sidewalks don’t show anymore.
We’re playing there on Saturday, June 27, from 5:00–7:00 PM, and this one feels a little different from a usual show. Playing in a place that’s literally built to keep stories and photos and old documents safe makes you think a bit more about what you choose to sing.
The museum is usually open earlier in the afternoon, so if you’re the type who actually reads the plaques and stares at old photos for too long, this is a good excuse to come downtown a little early. Then we’ll plug in among all that history and do our best not to knock anything over with the guitar case.
We’re planning on a mix of familiar covers, a few originals, and probably a couple of songs we don’t pull out as often—things that lean a little more storytelling than “sing-along chorus.” It just feels like the right setting for that.
If You Are Planning To Come Out
- When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 5:00–7:00 PM
- Where: Kewanee Historical Society, 125 N Tremont St, Kewanee, Illinois 61443
- Who: Bell & Field (piano, guitar, and two voices)
- What to expect: A two-hour set with a mix of piano-driven songs, guitar tunes, and harmonies—some newer Bell & Field originals, some reworked versions of songs you probably know, and a few picks that fit a museum setting a little more than a bar setting.
- Venue website: kewanee-history.com

About Bell & Field
We’re a piano–guitar duo that likes to keep things pretty simple: one of us at the keys, one on acoustic, both of us singing. For a place like the Historical Society, we’ll probably start a bit quieter, feel out who’s there, and then decide how far to lean into the sing-along covers versus the slower, story-heavy songs.
About The Venue
The Kewanee Historical Society is a volunteer-run museum on North Tremont that keeps track of the town’s past—photos, documents, old news clippings, and the kind of local stories you don’t find anywhere else. They’re usually open on Thursdays and Saturdays in the warmer months, so this show falls right in their regular season. If you haven’t been in before, this is a pretty low-pressure way to finally see the inside instead of just walking past the sign.
If you’re around Kewanee that Saturday and feel like pairing some local history with live music, this is your night. We’ll bring the piano, the guitar, and a stack of songs that fit the room.


Some shows feel like gigs, and some feel like you just plugged in the PA at a family reunion. Tom’s parents’ 52nd anniversary at Cerno’s definitely landed in that second category.
We’ve eaten at Fernando’s Place in Kewanee plenty of times with our families, but playing there for their 11th anniversary was a whole different thing. Fernando has never had live music in the restaurant before, so when he asked us to come in as the first live acoustic duo performance, we both felt a mix of “honored” and “please-don’t-let-us-be-too-loud-for-the-taco crowd.”
We always say it’s not about the number of people in the room, it’s about the connection you make with the ones who are there. This night was a good reminder of that.
We’re excited to play at Fernando’s Place in Kewanee on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 5 to 8 PM. This spot in the heart of Kewanee offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine that locals really appreciate. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos, burritos, or anything else, it’s a comforting place to relax and enjoy.
We’re happy to share that we’ll be performing at Cerno’s in downtown Kewanee on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The warm atmosphere is just right for an evening like this, especially with the splendid back bar imported from Belgium and the inviting vibe that comes with it.
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, I played solo acoustic guitar and sang while classmates caught up, swapped old stories, and passed phones around with grandkid photos. I set up off to the side of the room—close enough to be heard, but far enough that people didn’t have to shout over the music.
The surprise of the night came at the very end. The room called out for “I Saw Her Standing There” as an encore, and that turned into a full-on dance break. About 20 determined classmates stayed on their feet, dancing and singing like it was the KHS gym floor back in the 70s instead of a golf club in 2025.
This past Saturday we hauled the piano, guitar, and sax down to Central Blvd in Kewanee, IL, for a Hog Days Pre-Parade Celebration at a private home right on the route. It was one of those late-summer afternoons where the sun is warm but not punishing, and you can hear the buzz of the parade crowd starting to build in the distance.
One of the best surprises of the day was when local musician Marshall Jones jumped in with us. He came up to sing “It’s Probably Me” by Sting, and it instantly felt like we’d rehearsed it, even though we absolutely hadn’t. That’s the fun part of these neighborhood-style shows—someone you know from around town steps up and suddenly you’ve got a new version of the band for a song.

Celebrate the end of summer at the Hog Days Private Party during the hog days 2025 celebration! Taking place on August 30, 2025, this exclusive event will be hosted at a private residence from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in Kewanee, IL. The event promises a day filled with music, mingling, and memorable moments set in a charming outdoor locale.



