Billy Joel collaborator opens Long Island concert…
It’s scenes from an Italian lounge.
Long Island rockstar and Billy Joel collaborator Mike DelGuidice opened a concert corridor that’s develop into a home away from home, that includes his household piano, furnishings, and a touching part devoted to his late canine and “best friend,” Max.
“I really wanted this to be a family,” DelGuidice told The Post inside his new two-story Smithtown venue called Live On The Porch.
Mike DelGuidice, a Long Island native and collaborator of Billy Joel, opened the music venue Live On The Porch in Smithtown. Elizabeth Sagarin for NY Post
“Billy comes from Long Island, I come from Long Island, there’s something about being here — a warm and fuzzy feeling.”
The title DelGuidice selected is impressed by digital livestream exhibits he performed during COVID-19 lockdowns around 2020, which his beloved boxer, who handed away virtually a yr in the past, often accompanied him for.
“He was a huge part of why Live On the Porch started, and so we never forget him,” DelGuidice said of his loyal and cheerful pup.
Max was so in tune to the exhibits that he even perked up at DelGuidice’s typical closing quantity, an unique tune called “Until The End.”
“He would know it was the end of the show — and that meatballs were coming next.”
The concert corridor is called after the digital exhibits DelGuidice livestreamed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Elizabeth Sagarin for NY Post
“A lot of fans at the venue now knew Max from the time; we call them the porch family.”
DelGuidice, who carried out the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Ryder Cup in 2025, took the leap of religion and opened his intimate 125-seat location after a decade and a half of dreaming when Joel paused touring for health causes.
The mission is to pay it ahead to local artists by giving them a space to play their unique work reasonably than overlaying hits to pay the payments.
“There’s so many cover artists on Long Island who write their own stuff, and they’re so good, their material is so good,” he said.
“But they’re in the same boat I am — they’re afraid.”
DelGuidice, who contemplated quitting music years in the past while dwelling in a trailer on a buddy’s yard, also owes the eventual launch of his profession to covers.
He performed in a Billy Joel-themed band that caught the eye of the Piano Man himself. Joel beloved DelGuidice’s stuff so a lot that he introduced the Miller Place native on tour and grew to become a No. 1 supporter.
The hitmaker made sure the world noticed DelGuidice’s mighty expertise on middle stage since they grew to become bandmates in 2013, whether or not it was the guitarist belting opera like “Nessun Dorma” or Led Zeppelin classics for encores.
Joel even had DelGuidice do a Live on The Porch session on his Facebook web page to draw more consideration and drastically celebrated his hole-in-one of the National Anthem at Bethpage Black.
The Long Island rocker introduced his own household’s piano to Live On The Porch. Elizabeth Sagarin for NY Post
It was those digital exhibits that helped DelGuidice see how a lot urge for food viewers had for his originals and broke down the invisible barrier that people do love listening to more than just the hits of a half century in the past.
He was impressed to carry on the momentum in individual.
“Over the last 20 years I could never seem to find a venue that really suits doing just my own music, where I’ll feel comfortable. I’m like, I think the only way I’ll feel comfortable is if I just build my own place.”
DelGuidice told The Post he hopes Live On The Porch can showcase proficient musicians on Long Island. Elizabeth Sagarin for NY Post
“So here I am — torched a ton of money, whatever savings I had, to try and build this place for local people and for local talent and original music.”
DelGuidice took over a farm stand-turned-hot tub store on Route 347, fully gutted it, and added a second flooring to the one-story property, creating a mezzanine that also options Max’s devoted nook.
He’s operating the business with his household, as the DelGuidice clan is giving a full-court press to get fellow Long Islanders their days in the solar, even to the purpose of internet hosting enjoyable competitions like “Porch Idol” for locals to show their moxie.
“It would sure be great one day when your last breath is taken that you’re remembered as being you, and what you brought to the table,” he said.
“What your voice was like, what you had to say. I want that for everybody that comes through here.”
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