It was a Wednesday in 1999 and Ralph and I had been playing on Wednesdays at my house for some time. I mentioned that it reminded me of living at my Grandmothers house as a kid and she would have the ladies over and play bridge. So we called the project Bridge Club. We didn't have the great desserts that the gals would have, but we had a name. I've been playing so long that I should be good by now. Played in bands, rode in vans, stayed in dives after long drives, been told I suck in several languages, had some fun, lived on granola and juice, learned a thing or two, figured-out how to match words with music, probably wrote between 500 and 1000 songs(some were ok) Still making trips up north to write and coming back with a few tunes for bridge club, sand in my floormats and a strong desire to not come back. Northern Michigan is all I've said it to be and more. It's the only reason I write, sometimes. With Ralph on Bass and Mark on Bendy-string thingy, I feel like the luckiest songer/singwriter in Saline. -- Keith Kiser	I play the "Bendy String Thing" In reality: 2005 MSA Double Ten String 8/4 Pedal Steel 1937 Gibson 7 String Lap Steel My interest in music and the Pedal Steel developed from playing drums with Jim Osterberg's (Iggy) Ludwig set back in the late 60's, then wanting to play acoustic/classical guitar, then hearing Jerry Garcia (NRPS), Buddy Cage (NRPS), and Bobby Black (CC& his LPA), playing the Pedal Steel over thirty years ago. I just couldn't understand how they got "those sounds". Over the years I got to meet all three players, which was an influence to say the least. I taught myself by wearing out record needles, vinyl, and my parents' patience, and started playing in Detroit, Ann Arbor, on the road, Texas, Montana and Wyoming for a few years, then back home here in Michigan. The formative years at Mr. Flood's Party, Joe's Star Lounge, the "Old" Blind Pig in the basement, were great nights, with George Bedard and the Bonnevilles, Pontiac Pete and Drivin Sideways. The discipline playing night after night at Lucille's with Jack Mollette, who was for years the road guitarist with Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours, and Barbara Mandrell were all academic. Other funster gigs were opening for Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck and Ronny Millsap. An opportunity to play a lot of original tunes came with joining Bridge Club, and in less hazardous surroundings. This has been my gig of choice as of late, and am enjoying backing up Keith and Ralph. -- Mark O'Boyle