Blog Archives

We’re playing the Kewanee Farmers Market on Wednesday, June 3 from 6–8 p.m. in downtown Kewanee, right at W 3rd St & N Tremont St.

This is part of their new evening market idea. For years it’s been a morning thing, and now they’re seeing what happens when you add food trucks, music, and people stopping by after work. It feels a bit like everybody’s experimenting together to see if downtown can stay busy into the evening again.

We like these kinds of nights because the crowd is usually mixed: people who came just to shop, folks who wander over with food in hand, and a few who pull up a chair and actually listen to whole songs. You get kids running around near the produce stands, someone carrying a bouquet, and somebody else trying to balance a plate from a food truck while clapping along.

Musically, we’ll lean a little more into familiar songs you can recognize from halfway across the street, plus a few quieter ones for when the sun starts dropping and people are hanging onto those last errands of the day. We’ll bring the piano, guitar, and a simple setup that lets us keep things pretty relaxed and responsive to whoever’s in front of us.

Show Details

• When: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Where: Kewanee Farmers Market, W 3rd St & N Tremont St, Kewanee, IL
• Who: Bell & Field (piano–guitar duo)
• What to expect: An easy-going two-hour set of familiar covers and a few originals, mixed in with the sounds of the evening market — people shopping local produce and baked goods, food trucks nearby, and whoever decides to pull up a chair and listen.
• More info: Kewanee Farmers Market article

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano-and-guitar duo that tends to build sets on the fly: a mix of 70s–90s tunes, a few newer songs, and some of our own, adjusted to how noisy or quiet the market is. If kids are dancing, we lean upbeat; if folks are sitting and really listening, we stretch out a bit and let the slower songs breathe.

About the Venue

The Kewanee Farmers Market has been a longtime morning stop in Berrien Park, and this year they’re trying out Wednesday evenings with food trucks from 4–8 p.m. and live music from 6–8 p.m. It’s right in downtown Kewanee, with local growers, baked goods, flowers, crafts, and all the usual market tables — just shifted later in the day so people can swing by after work.

If you’re around Kewanee on that Wednesday night, come by, grab something from a stand or a truck, and let the music be part of your errands.

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.”

Setting up in the window and shaking off the nerves

Fernando cleared out a corner by the front window for us, and it turned out to be the perfect little stage. Cables, mic stands, guitar case, keyboard – all tucked in behind us while people were digging into enchiladas and chimichangas. It felt a bit like we’d just moved into someone’s dining room with a small music store.

I’ll be honest, we were a little nervous at first. New room, first time they’ve ever done live music, and it was a Sunday night. Not exactly a built-in “live music in Kewanee” crowd. But once we got rolling, the room settled into a nice groove with us.

New songs, old favorites, and a few curveballs

We used the night to stretch a bit musically. We pulled out some songs we haven’t played much in public yet, like “Borderline” and “Old Time Rock and Roll.” That Bob Seger tune is one we’re trying to keep sharp for when we play with Paul Weddle, so it was good to run it in a real setting instead of just in the practice room.

Requests started coming in, which always keeps us on our toes. We got to dig into “Everything I Own” by Bread and “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce – both songs that fit really well with the feel of the room. People were talking quietly, forks clinking, kids sharing plates with parents, and then you’d see someone pause mid-bite because a lyric hit them just right. That’s the kind of Fernando’s Place entertainment we were hoping to add to the night.

The “Cats in the Cradle” laughing fit

One of the standout moments wasn’t about nailing a song – it was about almost losing it. Someone requested “Cats in the Cradle,” and as we started, Tom let out this little laugh right at the top of the song. We’re not totally sure why. Nerves, a random thought, who knows.

Of course, laughter is contagious. Greg started laughing, then told Tom, “Don’t laugh,” which made it worse. It felt like being back in 6th grade science class trying not to crack up while the teacher is looking right at you. Somehow we pulled it together and made it through the song, but that moment of almost falling apart on a serious tune is going to stick with us for a while.

Family tables and familiar faces

The turnout wasn’t as big as we’d all hoped for Fernando’s anniversary. Sunday nights can be tricky, and for a place that doesn’t usually have live music, it was probably a surprise for some regulars. But the folks who did come out made it worth every note.

Our families showed up in force – Tom’s parents and Malissa, plus Greg’s wife, daughter, and her boyfriend. Having them there, eating dinner and listening, made the night feel more like a family gathering with a built-in soundtrack than a formal show. We also spotted a few friends and familiar faces who came specifically for the music and the great food, which always means a lot.

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.

Walking out with full hearts

By the end of the night, we’d run through a wide mix of songs – newer ones for us, classic requests, and the tunes we know by heart. There were little pockets of conversation with people between songs, a few “Hey, what was that one you just played?” comments, and plenty of smiles on the way out.

We left Fernando’s Place feeling grateful: for the invite, for the trust of being their first live music experiment, for the families who showed up, and even for the mid-song laughing fit that reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Thinking about live music at your place?

If you like the idea of a live acoustic duo performance tucked into the corner of your restaurant, patio, or private party – the way we did it at Fernando’s – we’d be glad to talk. You can reach us here to start the conversation: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

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.

If you’re looking for a Friday where you can hear the people you’re with, finish a story, and still have great live music going in the background, this one might fit your night.

We’re heading back to Edison’s Gastropub in Bettendorf on Friday, June 5, and we’ve been quietly looking forward to this one for a while. Our last show there was in 2025, and it honestly stuck with us more than most places do.

Paul and the staff were kind to us from the moment we walked in. The place was clean and dialed-in without feeling stiff, and everything just worked the way you hope it will when you’re hauling in a keyboard and guitar. We played outside on their patio, which is a really comfortable spot to settle into for a few hours.

One detail that really stood out: they had a camera feed running during the show, and Paul took the time afterward to send us some of the video. One of those clips ended up at the top of our homepage, so if you saw the Edison’s footage there, that’s from that night! It’s rare that a venue goes that extra step for the band, and it made us want to come back.

This time around, we’re leaning into what worked there before: songs you’ll recognize mixed in with some deeper cuts, arranged so they sit well with conversation and dinner. We’ll probably stretch out a little more on a few piano intros and guitar textures too, since well… that’s just what we love to do!

The Basics

• When: Friday, June 5, 2026, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm
• Where: Edison’s Gastropub, 3579 Tanglefoot Ln, Bettendorf, IA 52722
• Who: Bell & Field (piano, guitar, and two voices)
• What to expect: An early evening set you can bring friends or family to, with familiar songs, a few rearranged favorites, and some quieter moments that won’t drown out your conversation.
• Venue website: edisonsgastropub.com

About Bell & Field

We’re a piano-and-guitar duo that builds sets around the room we’re in. At a place like Edison’s, that usually means mixing in thoughtful covers, some stripped-down takes on bigger songs, and a few quieter choices so people can enjoy the music without having to shout across the table.

The Room & The Neighborhood

Edison’s sits over on Tanglefoot Lane in Bettendorf, and they’ve clearly put care into how the place is run. Last time we were there, everything from the stage setup to the patio layout made it easy for people to settle in for the evening. The outdoor area in particular felt like a natural spot for a 4–7pm show as the day winds down.

From a musician’s point of view, it’s the kind of place where the staff is on top of things and you can focus on playing instead of troubleshooting. That tends to make the music better, and it’s just one of the reasons we were hoping to get back on their calendar.

If you end up at Edison’s that Friday, we’ll do our best to give you a solid soundtrack for the early part of your night.

We’re excited to be part of a special summer evening at Valley View Club in Cambridge on July 3.

This will be our first performance there as Bell & Field, though Tom has played there before as a solo act. This time, we’ll be bringing the full trio sound, with acoustic guitar, piano, and Paul joining us on sax.

The timing makes the night feel even more fitting. Valley View Club is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026, with its original 9-hole course having opened on July 4, 1966. So between the anniversary, the holiday weekend, live music, and fireworks after the show, it has all the makings of a memorable celebration.

Show Details

• When: July 3, 2026, 5PM – 8PM
• Where: Valley View Club, 9701 Illinois Highway 82, Cambridge, IL
• Who: Bell & Field with Paul on sax
• What to Expect: An evening of acoustic music followed by a fireworks show
• Venue Website: valleyviewclub.org

Bell & Field blends acoustic guitar and piano with a mix of familiar covers and original songs. With Paul on sax, the music takes on more texture and warmth, which should fit the setting nicely.  Paul has performed with many music legends such as the Doobie Brothers, B.B. King, 3 Dog Night, and more.  He is a current member of The Classics IV.

We tend to let each show find its own shape. Some songs feel right because of the room, some because of the season, and some simply because the crowd is ready for them. For this one, we’re looking forward to leaning into the feel of a summer evening at the club — relaxed, lively, and celebratory.

About the Venue

Valley View Club is an 18-hole golf course just south of Cambridge, set in a quiet country setting. Along with the course itself, the club features a clubhouse with a lounge and snack shop, plus an outdoor patio and seating area for enjoying the weather.

It feels like the right kind of place for a night like this: music outside, people gathered together, and fireworks to close out the evening. And with the club marking 60 years, there’s a little extra reason to celebrate.

If you’re in the area, come spend the evening with us. We’ll be playing from 5PM to 8PM, with the fireworks show following after our set.

It was one of those blustery Saturday drives up to Port Byron where the wind keeps nudging the car and the Mississippi suddenly appears and makes everything feel familiar again. For Tom, it really is familiar – he spent his first eleven years just outside of town – so every time we roll past the river and into Main Street, the nostalgia dial jumps a few notches.

He pointed out where Dairy Dell used to be and told the story (again, in the best way) about playing Pac-Man and Centipede between bites of burgers and ice cream, and grabbing groceries at Winter’s and then Stone’s. Between that and the fact that we’ve played Tuggers a handful of times now, it’s starting to feel less like a gig and more like returning to a slightly rowdier version of home.

Burgers, a Blustery Start, and Getting Our Heads in the Game

Load-in at Tuggers is pretty straightforward: park, haul the piano and guitar in, weave around the regulars at the bar, try not to whack anyone with a keyboard stand. Once the gear was in, the first order of business was food. Tom had already eaten, and I (Greg) had the “Drive-Thru” burger. Don’t be fooled by the name.  It is a legit burger, and it was also served very quickly.  I’ll be honest: I needed it. I felt weirdly off at first, like my body was there but my brain was stuck somewhere south of I-80.

Right before we kicked off, a guy walked in and came right up near the piano. I said, “How you doing?” and he just stared at me with this intense, almost mean look. I don’t think he meant it that way; it was just very present. Meanwhile I was anything but. It threw me for a second, but it also snapped me out of whatever fog I was in. I remember thinking, “Okay, get your shit together and play.” So we did.

Trying New Things: Madonna by the Mississippi

We’d been rehearsing a few tunes more heavily leading up to this one, and those ended up being the highlights for us. The big experiment of the night was debuting “Borderline.” It’s a Reggie Lucas–penned hit for Madonna that has always stuck with Tom, but not exactly the kind of song people expect from a piano–guitar acoustic duo performance in a river bar.

At rehearsal, Greg suggested we slow it way down and lean into the melancholy, almost like a late-night ballad instead of an ‘80s pop track. He had a musician friend (Geoff George) who had done something similar with the song once, and it stuck with him.  Once we tried it that way, we were in. Playing it live for the first time at Tuggers felt like letting people in on a secret. The room actually got a little quieter, and we could feel folks listening instead of just talking over us. That’s always a good sign.

Requests, Red Wine, and Familiar Faces

The rest of the night, the crowd kept us on our toes with requests. We got a run of Simon & Garfunkel – enough that it turned into a mini-set inside the set – plus some Jimmy Buffett. There was one Buffett song Greg didn’t know, but Tom did, so we just went for it. Not flawless, but that’s half the fun.

Derek behind the bar took good care of everyone, including us. Every so often, a couple of Cabernets would just appear when we weren’t looking. If you’ve seen us before, you know red wine is basically our third band member, so that was appreciated.

One of the best parts of the night was seeing who walked through the door. Tom’s friend and colleague Carly Klavon showed up with a few friends, which was a great surprise. We got to catch up with them after the show, and Carly even put in a request for a specific song for our next Tuggers date on May 30. Consider the homework assigned.

We also spotted long-time friends Mike and Marla Skelton in the crowd. There’s something grounding about looking up mid-song and seeing people you’ve known for years nodding along, phones out filming, or just smiling into their drinks.

Tuggers, Hospitality, and What’s Next

The staff at Tuggers once again made it feel easy to be there – from the kitchen turning out those burgers to the folks making sure we had what we needed between sets. By the end of the night, the wind outside had settled down, the river was calm, and inside it felt like we’d just spent three hours hanging out with old and new friends rather than grinding through a gig.

Somewhere between “Borderline,” the Simon & Garfunkel run, the surprise Cabernet deliveries, and the random intense eye contact guy, the night loosened up into something that reminded us why we keep doing this. We even walked out of there with a new date on the calendar for a July 3 celebration!

We’ll be back at Tuggers on May 30, and we’ve got that out-of-our-norm song brewing that may or may not lead to one of Tom’s colleagues getting a little wild.

If you’re looking for live music in Port Byron or you’ve got a place of your own that could use a piano–guitar soundtrack (with maybe a surprise Madonna ballad thrown in), we’d love to talk. You can reach us about your event here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

Opening Weekend with Ron, Paul, and a Room Full of Requests

We’d been looking forward to getting back to Timberlake Resort & Campground ever since last year’s show. Ron Swanson has clearly poured a lot of thought into this place – cabins, campsites, and a full calendar of live music – so being asked to help kick off opening weekend again felt pretty great.

This time around, we had a bonus: our friend Paul Weddle on sax. Having a sax along changes how we think about the set; suddenly you’re eyeing every tune like, “Can we sneak a sax solo in here?”

Paul & his wife Dottie made a day of it, heading up early and poking around a few shops on the way to Mt. Carroll. Tom and Malissa followed also ahead of schedule.  Getting there early meant we could all actually breathe a little: unhurried load‑in, time to catch up with Ron, and a chance to say hi to folks as they wandered in from their cabins.

From Bob Seger to Lionel Richie (and a Lot in Between)

Once we started playing, it didn’t take long before the requests started flying. Someone asked for Bob Seger, and that basically wrote the next 10 minutes of the set for us. If you’ve got a sax player like Paul and somebody wants Seger, you have to play “Old Time Rock and Roll.”

The woman who requested it knew exactly what she was doing – she wanted a sax feature. Paul stepped up and absolutely tore into that solo. I found myself grinning mid‑song thinking, “Yep, this is why you invite a sax player.” People were up dancing, singing the chorus back at us, the whole thing.

Not long after that, we got a curveball in the other direction: Lionel Richie’s “Stuck On You.” Total vibe change, but in the best way. Couples drifted into the open space in front of the stage and turned it into a slow‑dance floor. Watching people dance to a tune we don’t play every night is one of those reminders that a live acoustic duo performance doesn’t have to stay in one lane.

We also had multiple people asking for Hall & Oates. We’d never really tried any of their stuff together live, but we figured, why not? So we took a swing at “Rich Girl.” Was it flawless? No. Did it work because the crowd sang half the song with us? Absolutely.

Taking Songs Further Than the Rehearsal Room

Some of the best moments weren’t even the brand‑new requests, but songs we actually rehearse all the time that just hit differently in this room.

“Take the Long Way Home” turned into this wild back‑and‑forth between harmonica and sax during the solo. Harmonica would throw out a line, sax would answer it, and back and forth they went. Honestly, it felt more exciting than the original recording for a minute there.

We also got a request for “Small Town” by John Cougar Mellencamp. By the end, Tom let loose on that last “whoa!” and just held it while Paul harmonized the note on sax above. It’s not the sort of thing you can plan in detail, but when it locks in like that and the room responds with big applause, you remember it.

Another request that fit the sax perfectly was “Ophelia” by The Band. That tune already has a built‑in swagger, and with Paul on top of it, it felt like it was written for this lineup.

Trying Out Southern Cross on the Fly

The most challenging request of the night was “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills & Nash. All three of us love that song, but we had never played it together before.

We talked for maybe 20 seconds about the key and who was taking which harmony, and then just went for it. I’ll be honest, I expected at least one train‑wreck moment, but it actually came off really well. Good enough that we’re now talking about working it up properly and adding it to the regular setlist.

Somewhere in there we also snuck in “Summertime Blues” and a few other staples that always get feet moving. It wasn’t the biggest crowd Timberlake has ever had – last time there was bingo before us and the place was absolutely packed – but the people who were there were fully in it, and that matters more than headcount.

Cabins, Chicago Roots, and a Late Drive Home

Between sets and after the show, we had a chance to hang out with Ron and a bunch of guests. Greg and Ron realized they both grew up in the Chicago suburbs, so there was some instant “where’d you go to school as a kid?” talk mixed in with the usual music nerdery that all musicians and music enthusiasts love to speak.

Ron set up a cabin for Paul and Dottie, and they came back raving about how big, clean, and comfortable it was. Paul even offered to line up cabins for all of us next time, which sounds pretty tempting after a long night.

Both Paul and Tom brought their wives – which made the night feel less like a gig and more like a little road trip with friends. After we packed up, we chatted a bit more with Ron and some of the campers, but we were definitely running on fumes by the time we hit the road. The drive is about 75–90 minutes for Tom and Greg and closer to two hours for Paul, so rolling into the driveway around 1:30 AM was part of the deal. No regrets, though. The ride home went fast because we were already replaying the best moments in our minds.

Timberlake really leans into live music in Mt. Carroll – they’ve got shows going all season, including bands like Karla and the Phat Catz. If you’re looking for great music, it’s worth checking their schedule at timberlakeresort.com.

Thinking About Your Own Campground or Backyard Show?

Nights like this are exactly why we love doing the live acoustic duo (and trio) thing – some planned songs, some wild‑card requests, a few risks, and a lot of singing along.

If you’re putting together an event and want this kind of acoustic setup – guitars, keys, harmonies, and hopefully even some saxophone – we’d be happy to talk about it. You can reach us through this page: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

We’re excited to invite you to join us at Rams Riverhouse in Port Byron on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 7 to 10 PM. We always enjoy playing in places like this, where the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.

Show Details

• When: June 12, 2026, from 7 to 10 PM
• Where: Rams Riverhouse, 102 S Main St, Port Byron, IL 61275
• Who: Bell & Field
• What to Expect: Acoustic set with a relaxed atmosphere and tasty drinks.
• Venue website: Rams Riverhouse

About Bell & Field

We are an acoustic duo focused on bringing smooth harmonies and a selection of classic songs from the 60s through the 90s. Our style is easy-going, and we aim to create a warm atmosphere for everyone.

About the Venue

Rams Riverhouse is located in Port Byron, a small town that gives a cozy feeling to everyone who visits. This spot features a friendly vibe and is perfect for enjoying an evening with live music.

We hope to see all of you there. Song requests are always welcome, and we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

We rolled back into Crescent City Tap on one of those bitter cold January nights where you question all your life choices while you’re loading gear. We’ve played this room a bunch of times now. It wasn’t packed like some of the past shows, but we also knew the folks who did come out would really be there to listen and have a good time with us.

Seven people, three hours, and a lot of conversation

I think we played to basically the same seven people for most of the night, which ended up being kind of great. They settled in, ordered their drinks, and just stayed with us. It felt less like a show and more like we’d been hired to play someone’s living room, only with way better whiskey options.

Before the gig, we met at my home, working on “Draggin’ the Line.” We usually do 3-part harmonies with our buddy Paul Weddle on sax, and we were trying to see if we could make it work as just the two of us. Harmonies felt solid, we were ready to go… and then we proceeded to completely forget to play it. Never even called it. Classic.

Instead, we ended up dusting off some songs we hadn’t touched in a while: “Bittersweet,” “And She Was,” “Leader of the Band,” and a few others that had been sitting on the bench. It was one of those nights where the set list kept changing based on whatever conversation we were having with the room.

Requests we’d never played (and one we half-played)

By mid-show we had clearly drifted into a ’70s groove, and the crowd picked up on it. Requests started coming in: “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” some John Prine, “I Fought the Law,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and then teased a verse with the curveball request: “Without You” by Harry Nilsson.

We had never played any of those before. We decided to just go for it and see what happened. “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and the Prine tune came together better than we had any right to expect, and it actually felt pretty good leaning into that era for a while.

“Without You” only went as far as the first verse. Greg really likes that song but has never practiced it, so he previewed it just to see where it sat. He bailed out before it jumped up that octave.  With a little practice, that song might make it into our upcoming Valentine’s Day show at Copper & Oak.

Moms, Walken impressions, and that small-room feeling

One of Greg’s favorite moments of the night had nothing to do with the set list. Between songs he turned to me and asked, “So what are you feeling?” meaning, what should we play next. My mom was in the audience and immediately perked up: “Did you just ask him how he’s feeling? Why, is he sick?”

We had to explain that Greg was asking about the next song, not my health. Greg then joked that I had “a fever for music,” which of course led me straight into a Christopher Walken impression: “I got a fever, and the only prescription… is more cowbell.” I’ll be honest, whatever voice came out of my mouth was not Christopher Walken. Greg said it sounded more like Louis Armstrong. Either way, the whole exchange had the room cracking up.

Mom-level concern in the middle of a live acoustic duo performance is hard to beat. It’s those little unscripted things that make a quiet night feel full.

Familiar faces in Galva on a freezing night

Even with the small crowd, it was really good to see some people we hadn’t caught up with in a while: Teri Pankau, Annette Smith, Alan Anderson, Mike Martin, and a few others who’ve been cheering us on for a long time. My parents were there, as always, quietly anchoring a table and clapping for every song like it was the first one they’d ever heard us play.

Mike grabbed some video near the end of the night, so we’re curious to see what that looks and sounds like from the other side of the speakers. From our side, it felt like one of those Crescent City Tap entertainment nights where the room is small, the conversations are easy, and you actually have time to talk with everyone who came out.

Already looking ahead to the next Crescent City Tap show

We’re back at Crescent City Tap on Friday, February 27, this time with Paul Weddle on sax. If you’ve heard us do “Take the Long Way Home” as a duo, you know it’s fun—but when Paul comes in on that sax line, it turns into a whole different animal. We’re also determined to remember “Draggin’ the Line” before we leave the stage this time.  But we might just stick to the love songs for that day.

About Bell & Field:

We’re a piano–guitar duo that loves taking familiar songs from the ’60s through the ’90s and putting our own spin on them with harmonies and stripped-down arrangements. Nights like this one in Galva are exactly why we do it: a handful of people, some honest requests, a few surprises, and plenty of time to actually talk in between.

If you’re looking for live music in Galva or beyond and want a low-key, conversational kind of show like this, you can reach out to us here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

We finally made it to The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar in Davenport, and our first time there turned into one of those nights where the plan just kept expanding in the best way.

A Quiet Building, a Loud “Surprise!”

When we walked into the Bix Beiderbecke building, it was quieter than we expected for a Saturday. The Phoenix had actually shut down regular service that day because a water pipe had burst in the cold. So instead of a busy dinner crowd, it was just staff, the birthday crew, and us setting up in this big, impressive room that felt even larger without the usual restaurant noise.

Once people started arriving, the place filled in nicely. It was a surprise party, so we did that funny musician thing where you’re “on” but also kind of hiding in plain sight. We played lightly while folks mingled, then stopped and waited for the guest of honor to walk in. Doors opened, everyone yelled “Surprise!”, and after the hugs and happy tears, we kicked back in with “Touch of Grey.” It was a fitting way to officially start the night.

Dragging the Line, Walking the Sax

The setlist bounced around the decades like usual, but a few songs really stuck with us. “Draggin’ the Line” locked in right away – the harmonies landed exactly where we wanted them, and you could see people’s heads start bobbing at the tables. It’s always fun when a tune that’s still “new” in our rotation suddenly feels like it’s been with us forever.

We also used the night to lean into some of the newer material we’ve been working on: “Take the Long Way Home” and “Low Rider” both got some extra love. There’s something about a private party that makes it easier to test-drive songs; you can feel the room in a more direct way. I found myself thinking, “Okay, these are sticking. They’re staying in the toolbox.”

“Spooky” was another high point. That song has a built-in mood, and we decided to push it a little further. During the solo, Paul took his sax off the stage and walked out into the crowd for an extended section. People literally turned their chairs around to follow him. It’s one thing to hear a sax solo from across the room; it’s another to have it happen three feet from your table while you’re holding a martini.

Happy Birthday, Extended Version

Later in the night, we did the required tune for the evening – “Happy Birthday” – but with the full sax treatment. Having that horn on top of such a simple melody turns it from a quick obligation into an actual song. You could see phones come out, everybody filming and singing along.

The crowd was easygoing and up for anything. Between sets, there was plenty of dancing to the house music, which is always fun for us to watch from the gear corner. A few requests came in that kept things interesting and nudged us slightly off the mental script in a good way.

When Three Hours Turn into Four

The original plan was a three-hour live acoustic duo performance. At the end of our scheduled time, the party was still rolling, and we were asked if we’d be up for another hour. We said yes, of course, and dove back in.

I’ll be honest, by the time we wrapped that extra hour, we realized we probably had enough songs in the tank to go six hours straight with no break – but we’d be wiped out puddles on the floor. Four hours was plenty, and it felt good to know the catalog is that deep when we need it.

Friends, Family, and a Late-Night Taco Bell Run

Paul brought his wife Dottie, which we always love. They’re a great pair, and it’s nice having familiar faces in the room, especially at a private event where we don’t know most of the guests. She was just getting over a cold or flu, so they headed out right after we finished while Tom and I started the usual teardown.

The owners and staff at The Phoenix were kind to us all night, especially considering they were dealing with a water issue on top of hosting a big surprise party. They mentioned being interested in having us back for a dinner show once everything’s back to normal, and we’d be glad to return. It’s a strong room for live music in Davenport – bigger than it looks in photos, with plenty of space for people to listen, talk, and still feel close to the band.

Once the last case was loaded and we’d said our goodbyes, we did what we often do after a long one: pointed the car toward Taco Bell. Not glamorous, but very effective.

Thinking About Your Own Party?

If you’re putting together a birthday, anniversary, or any kind of gathering and want a live acoustic duo to keep things moving without overpowering the room, we’d be happy to talk. You can reach us here: https://www.bellandfieldmusic.com/book-acoustic-duo/.

We’re looking forward to a special night at The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar in Davenport on January 24. While it’s a private birthday party, it’s always nice to spend time in such a warm and inviting atmosphere where you can enjoy good food and drinks with friends. The Phoenix has a great reputation for their extensive wine list and their variety of gourmet dishes.

We love playing in places like this that offer a welcoming environment. The mix of contemporary flair and old-fashioned elegance makes it a perfect spot for a celebration. Plus, we hear they have delicious homemade cheesecakes that we’re excited to see!

The Basics

• When: January 24, 2026, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
• Where: The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar, 111 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801
• Who: Bell & Field
• What to Expect: Acoustic set in a cozy atmosphere with drinks and food available.
• For more info, visit: The Phoenix Website

About Bell & Field

We’re a duo that enjoys bringing smooth harmonies to life with a laid-back mix of songs from the 60s to the 90s. Our acoustic style draws on the essence of classic tunes, aiming to create a relaxed vibe for our audience. Your requests are always welcome!

The Room & The Neighborhood

The Phoenix Restaurant & Martini Bar is situated in the heart of downtown Davenport, inside the historic Bix Biederbecke building. This venue beautifully combines modern design with its charming old architecture. Guests can enjoy a mighty martini selection and a robust wine list, making it a popular spot for fine dining as well as special events.

Having previously been home to shops and restaurants over the years, this place now has a cozy courtyard area that adds to its appeal.

We hope guests will have a great time celebrating and enjoying the tunes with us. Remember, if you’d like to have Bell & Field for your own private event, feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you.