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/.
Bell & Field performing under the shaded canopy at Songbird Lane Antiques
