We have always been music lovers and fans first. It was this deep love of music that drove us to learn how to play. Over the years, we have been fortunate enough to meet and speak with some of our favorite artists.

Hothouse Flowers Concert

March 12 , 2008 - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nick saw Hothouse Flowers play at the Ark. I could not attend but I asked him to stick around after to chat with the lads and snap some photos.

We have seen them play on several occasions throughout the years starting back in 1990. Their music is very inspiring and spiritual. As you can tell by Liam's clothing, the band is very bohemian. Their concerts can be hit or miss as they are known to play whatever inspires them at that moment and for however long they remain inspired.

Their best record is Songs From the Rain if you want one to start with or perhaps pick up their one of the Best Of's. Each album contains some great material and quite different production styles.

The Church Concert

August 13 , 2006 - Ferndale, Michigan

Nick and I went to the Church concert in Ferndale and got a chance to talk with two of our rock heroes, Steve Kilbey and Marty Willson-Piper before the show.

They played a great set and we paid them back with cheers and foot stomps urging them back on stage for a third encore. The lights had come on but they asked the owner if they could play one more song. Later, Steve wrote on his blog that the Motor City rocked and was a highlight of the tour.

The Trashcan Sinatras Concert

September 26, 2004 - Magic Stick, Detroit, Michigan

Playing the song Drunken Chorus during the Trashcan Sinatras' encore.

 

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Fifteen Minutes of Fame

I met Kevin before the Trashcan Sinatras show in the bar area of the Magic Stick. Frank, the lead singer, was eating dinner with Davy, the bass player, and having a few drinks. When they finished and were paying to leave, I approached Frank and told him how much I liked their new record and wished them great success. I also requested a song, Drunken Chorus, for the night's show. I mentioned that a friend of mine and I play it occasionally at coffeehouses. Frank was very gracious and said he would ask the band if they would. About halfway through the show, Frank mentioned having met a guy in the bar who requested the song and said that they were wondering if he'd like to come up and play it. I was dumbfounded. I wondered if I could even make myself get up there. I also panicked trying to think of the first line of the song. (Nick and I hadn't played it since April!)

They played the rest of the show and I assumed they had given up. Then while the crowd of about 300 were cheering for an encore, Frank came out by himself and said that the boys were having a smoke break and asked the guy from the bar if he'd please come up and play, Drunken Chorus. How could anyone turn down such a request? I soldiered up and climbed on stage. Frank handed me his Taylor 6 string acoustic guitar. I asked if he had a pick. He dug into his pocket and said, "I need this back." I nodded as I took his only pick. Then I walked up to the mic and played the song. It was an amazing experience. The crowd was cheering and singing along and the sound system made me sound better than ever. I looked to the side during an instrumental section of the song and saw Frank and the two guitarists, John and Paul, watching me and talking amongst themselves as they gave me a thumbs up. I ended the song nicely about two-thirds of the way through and just before the solo (which is done by Nick when we play it.) The crowd cheered and John shook my hand as he past by to pick up his instrument. I gave Frank back his pick as he said nice job and made my way back to Kevin. People were shaking my hand and patting my back. After the show, a few people took my email address and promised to send photos (see below) and audio. One fan even captured a bit of video on her digital camera. I've placed it above for you to see. You can hear her singing along with a bit of her own "drunken" chorus. Another person even bought me a beer. We got to talk to the band afterward and they said some really kind words. Paul said I played it better than they could have since it had been over a year and mentioned I played the wrong chords! on the verse but it sounded good. I told him I got them from their website. He said that perhaps he should have a go at correcting them. I told him they should release a tab book for guitar. He said it sounded like a bit too much work. Ha! What a night to remember!

The Go-Betweens Concert

June 11, 1999 - 7th House, Pontiac, Michigan

We were fortunate to see Robert and Grant play together on an acoustic tour that was the beginning of a second phase for the Go-Betweens. In many ways, it was their music that inspired Nick and I to form a band and play together as an acoustic duo. Grant died in 2006. He was only 48 years old. If you do not know them, pick up 16 Lover's Lane.

Mike Peters Acoustic Show

Fall 1994, Buffalo, New York

The Alarm was another very influential band for us. One year after they broke up, Mike, being the most prolific songwriter I know, wrote more than an album's worth of material, formed a new band with his wife called The Poets of Justice and hit the road in the fall of 1992 for a ten city U.S. tour. Nick and I followed three of those dates from Michigan to Ohio to New Jersey over one weekend. Two years later, he returned to Buffalo to play an acoustic show and we were invited as special guests.
During the Buffalo sound check, Mike took a break to talk to the few of the fans that were invited. I had brought the painting of Mike that my B-I-L, Kevin, had created as a high school graduation gift years ago. Mike graciously signed it for me. It hangs in my office to this day.

Luka Bloom Acoustic Show

June, 1993 - Borders, Novi, Michigan

Luka did a press tour at some Borders bookstores for the album, Turf. We were lucky to catch one of them on a work night in Novi, Michigan. There were perhaps 50-100 people there to see about a ten song set that he played right after sleeping in the van that afternoon. It was one of the only times I've ever sat 2nd row. Later we queued up for some chat, autographs and a few goofy photos.

Interestingly, a week later we were on vacation in Boston and Tom, a friend we were traveling with, noticed him walking past us on the street. We called him over and he was quite surprised to be recognized. He had just finished an open air concert the night before, one of which we unfortunately missed having not known about it.