Well, if you can remember that little diner in Melrose, where, even though it was only open three days a week, the line of people standing outside the door was its daily trademark!?!… Well, that little girl, Lorie Muse has grown up to become the owner of the shining star of Melrose eatery: Absolutely Fabulous!

And, in addition to the coveted 4-Star dining comes the magic of a little open mike, run by long-time industry professional, Mike Walsh, that is starting to receive some major attention.

Where do you find the magic that makes for the best open mikes? Mike is a faithful father of three, devoted to his lovely wife, and adored by his enchanting children. He runs his open mike like a family get-together: And it definitely shows.

Mike doesn’t try to give a flawless performance, but his regular-guy, after-work, easy-down persona, leads to some exceptionally sweet music! With minor aids of state-of-the-art technology, Mike performs some very incredible renditions of songs that could never before be attempted by a solo performer. He makes them sound so easy and comfortable, you feel like you’re sitting on his living-room sofa, soaking up the suds.

Mike White, a quality-control fuel specialist, who spent hard years of deprivation aboard open-ocean fuel tankers, is usually the first of the open-mikers to attend the stage. His high tenor voice allows him to aggressively bite into many songs that few would even dare to attempt.

Television Producer Al Nesser also swings by to provide dramatic presentations with hard-hitting vocals, and surprisingly tender love songs. His trademark high-energy performances always sets a high standard of excellence for those who follow.

A humble and soft-spoken professional cabinet-maker, Dan Howard, takes the crowd into a very mystical state of mind, with velvety vocals that have the softness of a perfectly hand-rubbed finish, revealing all the grandeur of the underlying grains of a fine wood. His unique and tender finger-picking style is reminiscent of the sound of a myriad of woodland fairies dancing upon the strings, producing fireflies and starlight in a misty wood.

Tim Foley and Mike Marino have formed an exceptionally hard-driving blues duo that draws spontaneous and emotional response from a vastly appreciative audience. You might remember Mike from his former bands who achieved Top Ten status when the Boston innovative music scene began to deeply influence the industry world-wide. With beer-bottle slide guitar, incredibly delicious jazz riffs, and hot moving originals, it’s easy to understand why the crowd erupts in thunderous applause for this duo, newly named, Snap ‘n’ Mugsy!

Famous Bass Perfectionist, Bill Barasso, (when he’s not on tour with several bands,) switches to guitar to grace the stage with flawless renditions of industry hits from the 50’s and 60’s. Simple and endearing, he shares the timeless qualities of better days filled with the hope and anticipation of days gone by.

But have the former glory days really passed? Not when you hear Jeremy Carter and Dan Muise, from Grass Root, whose videos are constantly showing up all over YouTube. This pair, and their band, is often on the road, and their performances leave the audience absolutely breathless! As you sit before them, taking in their surreal audio experience, these guys really deliver the real sound of an open-air concert festival with all the passionate emotion that overflows the stage, permeating each heart entranced in the moment.

Among the audience are TV and film producers, wealthy benefactors, accomplished actors from Boston Casting, along with beautiful souls that shine as starry diamonds amid the crowd. Most notably, Tansy Mathisen, whose incredibly gifted and much sought-after abilities have helped to change long-standing behaviors and addictions in a single weekend.

Expert in deep massage, and registered in Reiki, she is also exploring natural elements for skin and body health. As she invited this reporter to feel her cheek, I was shocked to experience the softest skin I had ever felt. Never before had I ever experienced human skin with the texture of a living rose petal. It makes you wonder if the Flower Children of the 70’s are making a re-emergence!

Add to this mix, a local guitar teacher, Andrew Martin. Just when you think that it’s time to go for a bathroom break, due to originals from a first-timer, Andrew surprised the audience with very talented sculptings of dramatic passions. Strong and vocal, then dipping into calm sensitivity, song-crafting in Andrew’s hands became more polished and real rather than analytically designed.

The night is winding down. Gabriel, the son of a competitor’s restaurant, finds solace in performing at the open mike.

And then, Nick Hiatt helps to fill out the bill with some very difficult four-fretted chords, and deeply affectionate emotions.

Following which, Dizzy Penny belts out some gut-level, graphic, girl-tune originals that reveal the inner depths of emotion, that are often so difficult to traverse. And yet, her heart expresses the inner depths like a road map in the hand of a trusty guide, making out of the impassable wilderness, a safe path to tread.

This is definitely not the same old, ordinary, run-of-the-mill open mike. It has become a performers’ paradise of insider contacts and industry networking, resulting in TV gigs, road tours and collaboration. The show was over, but no one left. It felt like the after party of a major event. Someone is turning off the lights, the doors are being locked, but the memory of a once-in-a-lifetime experience forever lives. (It happens every Thursday at 8pm.)

By the way, the Mike Walsh Open Mike at Absolutely Fabulous is also the local Meet-Up for Studio 32 Screenwriters, Actors, Actresses and Producers