I have many friends who are also colleagues in the bed and breakfast industry. Most live right here in Michigan, but I make regular contact with B&B owners across the country. We discuss marketing, decorating, cooking, and everything else that goes along with running an inn and dealing with the public.
When discussing background music, most of my friends are into classical music. They enjoy the instrumental sounds of the classic composers. Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi are some of their favorites. They are of the opinion that the sound of stringed instruments makes a Victorian Era building more authentic. Maybe so, but I disagree, and our house is pre-Victorian!
Here, at the Munro House B&B in Jonesville, Michigan, we enjoy the classics, too. However, our “classics” come from 20th (and 21st) century artists. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin are just two of the crooners who are regularly heard on my Bose stereo. We mix in modern classics, too. Rod Stewert, Peter Gabriel, and U2 all have a softer side that is very familiar and comforting.
When people come to our house, they will find that we are more comfortable than formal. Part of that comfort and style comes from the background music that we play. Just this morning I have heard “Heaven” from Los Lonely Boys, “Miss You in a Heartbeat” from Def Leppard, and “Danny’s Song” from Loggins and Messina. Each of these tunes made the pop charts and are familiar, or sweet sounds to people of all ages.
I have a huge CD collection–in the thousands. I have taken the time to compile many of my favorite timeless ballads and easy listening pop songs into an eclectic mix. I have programmed them into my “jukebox” and play them all day long on “shuffle” and “repeat”. I can go days without hearing the same song twice. The best thing is that all, or most, of the recordings are familiar to my guests, too. They give me regular compliments on my selection of music. It is just one thing that helps to make us a little bit more comfortable.
Mike Venturini – Innkeeper
“Life is good in Jonesville”