The melodic beat of the drums and bass set the rhythm of the noise, allowing listeners to bob their heads. The vocalist begins to bellow out flowing words, while the visceral sound of the guitar joins in on the fun. Suddenly a whole world of sound, emotions and music are born.

Music can have a plethora of different meanings for people. A song that could be relaxing or energetic to one person could have the complete opposite effect on another. But to Mike Todd, a founding member of the band Protégé, music is much deeper than just relaxation.

“Music has always been in my heart and soul ever since I was little. I got a guitar when I was 10 years old and I stuck with it as I got older. I hooked up with kids who played music, and I always wanted to play,” Todd said.

The band Protégé was formed in 1989 by Mike Todd and Bob Keenan, and they have been giving the Bloomington area rousing performances ever since. The reason that Protégé plays in Bloomington is because, put simply, it’s suitable.  

“We only play about two to three times a month, and we have a good rotation with clubs in the area. We play in Bloomington, Normal, and we have gone as far as Pekin,” Todd said. “My favorite thing about playing in the area though is the convenience of it. Cover music is desired in the area, and we play that music,” Todd said.

Protégé covers a who’s who list of songs from the classic rock variety. They play songs made famous by ZZ Top, Aerosmith, The Beatles, Melissa Etheridge and Aretha Franklin.

“We try to cover the songs as closely to the original as possible, and we’ve had people say ‘Wow they sound exactly like the original,’” Todd added.

Protégé will be playing a gig at the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard and Winery on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. The show will be able to demonstrate the energy and the love that the members of the band have for music.

“People will have a fun time. They can see the heart and the spirit of the music. People will get to say that they really get into what they’re doing, and that they’re in their own world when they play. We put a lot of love, energy and soul in our performances,” Todd said.

Playing with a band allows people to share their musical interests with different people. It allows them to get their creativity out into the air through the eclectic sounds of music.

The experience also allows people to explore their musical talents while at the same time bonding with others that share similar interests.

“My favorite thing about the band is that it is a team aspect. We are all good musicians working together to make something great. The old saying two heads are better than one is right,” Todd said. “I am very proud of taking nothing and making something out of it,” Todd added.

The Mackinaw Valley Vineyard and Winery is the perfect place to house the roaring sounds of Protégé. The spot has a bar area, an amphitheatre and aesthetics that makes for a marvelous setting.

“It is a very neat venue. The band will play on an amphitheatre in front of our own lake. It is not a bar scene where people are crammed up against one another and it is hard to move. You can bring chairs to sit on the lawn and any of your friends. It is a casual place,” Diane Hahn, the owner of the vineyard, said.

“The demographic for the music is that if you’re breathing, you’ll have fun. It’s the type of music people of all ages come out to listen and dance to,” she added.

The vineyard will have drinks and wine for people who come, and cover is only $5 dollars a person.

“People can come out and picnic, drink wine, beer, soft drinks and come with friends to enjoy the music,” Hahn said.

Protégé plays music to have people get entertained, but it can also keep people going in their life. The creativity and the inspiration that it conjures does exactly this for Todd.

“The band gives me the energy and the passion to help me get through my life and my job,” he said.