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February 2015

Cold Fusion

There is no possible explanation as to why intelligent people would venture out in weather that could potentially endanger their lives.

Then again . . . who cares, we sure were glad that they did!

On a frigid Friday evening, at The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub, in the dead of winter; we had one of the most memorable nights ever.  Yes, it was cold.  Yes, it was dark and gusty and wind-chilly.  But, none of that mattered.

When we took up guitars at 7:00 Pm, it was busy.
Shortly after, it was full.
And, as the night progressed, it got busier and busier!

This probably doesn’t need to be said, but we love playing to a packed house.  Not just because it is full of happy people, but because of the interaction between us and the audience.  Every person or party to walk through the door was another validation of our hard work and effort.  As both Carl and I expressed to different patrons, it is the people, who appreciate what we do, that keeps us entertaining.

On this particular night, we had the great fortune to meet several groups of wonderful people; each one reveling in their quest to journey, “Outside!”

These people were hardy folk.  No pansies or prima donnas in this lot.  They came early and they stayed late; possibly because of the libations, the cuisine, or . . . . maybe the music?

Hmmmmmmm . . .

On this frost-bitten Friday, the people were so warm and accommodating, that it renewed our joy for playing.  All in one night.

Some timeless friends and their families were on hand; as well as some wonderful new friends who spend most of the night, requesting treasured music from our pasts.

It surly goes without saying that when patrons, who come in to have some food and drink; but then stay the entire night; it gives us great pleasure.  There is undoubtedly something very satisfying about people happily appreciating our craft.

Yes, it was packed all right.  People were smiling, singing, eating, drinking and Karaokeing?

Right in the middle of our night; one of the many, many revelers walked right up and grabbed the mic; declaring that “He would sing!”  And, sing, he did!  After announcing his name to the crowd; One Day Joe, he did grab the mic to thrill everyone with a jaunty rendition of “Friends in low places“.

As if that wasn’t the high point of the evening, guests at the Three Blind Mice Irish Pub actually witnessed lightning striking twice.  Twice.  After hearing the first few bars of his beloved, “Every rose has it’s thorn“,Nate joined the band.  Guess he just couldn’t help himself.  Can you blame him?

I believe that something magical happens when one the crowd joins us onstage to take part in a song.  For one thing, it never fails to electrify the room, since the people seem to experience a thrill, vicariously through one of their own taking hold of the mic.

Nate was truly awesome.  All we had to do was add some harmonies, and the rest was pure, Bob and Carl magic.

Meanwhile, upstairs, O.C.D. was rumored to be entertaining.  However, every time I had a chance to journey upstairs, what I saw was 1,000 bikers enjoying what its like to simply be alive.  (Led by, One Day Joe, I imagine).  Can you blame them?

If ever cold was hot at the same time, it surly was on this very night.

Scientists who have been long searching in vain for the Holy Grail of energy: Cold Fusion, might only need to grab a table at the Three Blind Mice;  order a cold Lager, some chips and settle in for a night of revelry and song.  Apparently, it is all you need to generate energy and enduring memories that never end.

RB

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Mice Wins!

Three Blind Mice wins chili cook-off competition

The staff at Three Blind Mice Irish Pub took a team approach to this year’s chili cook-off competition in Mount Clemens and found it led to the winning recipe.

In the weeks prior to the contest, employees were invited to cook their own special chili at the downtown pub with plans to pick the best one to be used as their entry for the 2015 Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off.

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“We wanted the staff to be invested in the competition,” said Danielle Roberts, the general manager. “Plus, it was more fun to have everyone involved.”

After tasting the offerings, Three Blind Mice personnel centered on the Shipwreck Porter chili cooked up by Ron Upleger of Three Blind Mice.

Three Blind Mice came in first place in the Jan. 29 contest that included 10 Mount Clemens bars and restaurants. Orleans Billiards Cafe — a past three-time winner — finished second, Seeburger’s Cheeseburgers came in third, and Chantel’s Jailhouse Deli and Bath City Bistro tied for fourth.

Upleger said his slow-cooked dish included four kinds of peppers, two types of beans, onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and three meats — tri-tip, hamburger and shredded pot roast — along with Shipwreck Porter, a barrel-aged bourbon.

“I put a lot of love into it,” said Upleger, a resident of Clinton Township.

Three Blind Mice owner Brad Teagan agreed.

“Ron’s chili was amazing,” he said.

Earlier this week, Three Blind Mice officials officially received the decorative felt crown that goes to the winner. It will be on display at Three Blind Mice until next year’s event.

The event raised more than $2,840 for Anton Art Center and the Mount Clemens Goodfellows. Over the past 10 years, the cook-off has raised $28,000 for local charities, said Michelle Weiss of the Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority.

Mitch Hotts

Reach the author at mitch.hotts@macombdaily.com .

So, about Saturday

A little different for us on a Saturday night at the “Mice”.

It began the same: Cold night, tromping’ through the snow to set up in front of the whiskey barrels.  The Three Blind Mice Irish Pub was packed to the walls before we even offered a note.

However, as of late, when we begin to play at 7:00, several of the tables who came to eat dinner; (and thought that maybe they would be blown out by the loud offensive music),  would get up and promptly exit.  Leaving us to start anew building the crowd up again; as they got comfortable with us and our sound.

And yet, on this night,(a Saturday; not our usual Friday night), no one got up to leave.  On the contrary, more and more people pored in; filling the tables to overflowing.  Kind of a nice problem to have.

Our first set, which on most nights would be a little more laid back, was anything but that on this night.  On the contrary; we rocked the house right out of the gate!

Carl had to keep telling me that it was only the first set, and to hold on .  . .

Well, we did make it through the night; and it even slowed a little at the midnight hour.  But, all-in-all it was a very good night.

Once again, we met some very nice patrons.  People who took time out of their night to stop us and offer kind words of thanks for helping them enjoy this bitter winter; if only for a brief night.

As always . . .  it is our great pleasure and privilege to share our talents with those who would seek out a way to stave off the cold, looming winter winds as long as they can.

See everyone on the 20th!  (Friday O’ Friday!)

 

Rb

 

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BOB AND CARL