Posted by JD Leonard: Taking the Scenic Route at Live on the Porch
An acoustic trio, a room full of music lovers, and an opportunity to hear the artist behind the tributes.
There is something special about seeing a musician step away from the usual production and let the songs do the talking. No elaborate arrangements or oversized production necessary. Just talented musicians, their instruments, and an audience close enough to appreciate the little things that can sometimes get lost in a larger room.
That was the experience awaiting me when I visited Live on the Porch in Smithtown, the venue owned by Mike DelGuidice, for the first time. It was also my first opportunity to see JD Leonard perform in an acoustic trio setting.
JD is a familiar name to those who follow Long Island’s music scene, particularly through his tribute performances with Decades of Country and his Garth Brooks tribute. But this evening offered something a little different: an opportunity to experience JD performing his own material alongside two talented musical partners, Frank Stainkamp on piano and Joe Zogbi on lead and rhythm guitar. Frank also contributed backing vocals, adding another dimension to the trio’s sound.
After all those years paying tribute to other artists, it was nice to see JD pay tribute to himself for a change! LOL.
And that, in a nutshell, was what made the evening worthwhile. This was an opportunity to appreciate the artist behind the tributes.
Just Drive: A Different Side of JD Leonard
The evening opened with “Close as We Can Be,” one of the tracks from JD’s album Just Drive. From there, he moved through much of the album, jumping around the track listing rather than performing it in sequence.
The album includes ten tracks: “Good Lord Willing,” “Just Drive,” “Close as We Can Be,” “You Thought Wrong,” “Rosewood,” “Country Girl,” “I Don’t Know Why,” “Truth Be Told,” “She’s Never Really Gone,” and “And Justice for All.”
Hearing these songs performed acoustically gave them a different character. Without the fuller production of a studio recording, the focus shifted toward the songwriting, the vocals, and the interaction between the musicians.
One of the highlights was “And Justice for All,” which connected particularly well with the audience. It’s always rewarding to see original material find its moment in a live setting, and this was one of those occasions when the crowd became part of the experience.
JD also brought the audience into the action with a sing-along during “You Thought Wrong.” In a room of approximately 75 people, that kind of participation helped create the sort of connection that can be harder to establish in a much larger venue.
JD is also known for his medleys, and he incorporated that familiar talent into the evening with “Midnight Rider,” the Gregg Allman classic. Performed acoustically, the song allowed the melody and musicianship to take center stage without simply attempting to recreate the original recording.
Then came the encore: Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
That’s a song that carries some pretty enormous expectations. It’s instantly recognizable, emotionally charged, and not exactly an easy choice for any performer. Yet it suited the evening, giving JD another opportunity to demonstrate his versatility.
For those familiar with JD’s performances with his full electric band, “Purple Rain” is a regular encore, typically featuring electric guitar and a performance that does Prince proud. Hearing it in an acoustic setting offered a different perspective on a song that has become part of JD’s signature live repertoire.
Before closing with “Purple Rain,” JD also took a couple of requests from the audience, including Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” Although he had been scheduled to perform for two hours, the extra songs gave the audience a little more time with the trio.
Whether performing his own material or interpreting music made famous by others, JD brought his own musical personality to the performance. The acoustic setting made it easier to appreciate the talent behind the songs.
Three Musicians, One Musical Conversation
While JD was clearly at the center of the evening, this was never a one-man show.
The interplay between JD and Joe Zogbi was particularly enjoyable. The two exchanged solos and engaged in musical call-and-response passages, each responding to the other’s playing. Rather than simply accompanying one another, they created little musical conversations throughout the performance.
Frank Stainkamp was an integral part of that exchange as well. His piano work added texture and depth to the trio’s sound, with several piano flourishes and a couple of more extended keyboard passages. Frank also contributed backing vocals, rounding out the arrangements while remaining part of the musical conversation between the performers.
Those exchanges are often where a performance becomes more than a collection of songs. You can hear musicians listening to one another, reacting in the moment, and leaving room for the music to take an unexpected turn.
It’s a reminder that acoustic doesn’t mean uncomplicated. Sometimes, taking away the extra production makes the musicianship even more apparent.
Commanding the Room Without Taking It Over
Another thing I appreciated was JD’s interaction with the audience.
There’s an art to talking to a crowd. Some performers barely acknowledge the people in front of them, while others allow every shouted comment to become a full-blown conversation. We’ve all seen the moment when an entertaining exchange starts to drag on a little longer than necessary.
JD found a comfortable middle ground.
He spoke with the crowd, engaged with people, and maintained a relaxed atmosphere without allowing the banter to overshadow the music. He knew when to interact and when to bring the focus back to the performance.
That’s a skill in itself. Commanding an audience doesn’t necessarily mean being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it means knowing how to keep people involved while maintaining the momentum of the evening.
My First Visit to Live on the Porch
The performance was only part of the experience. I was also getting my first look at Live on the Porch, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
Walking through the front doors, the closed barn-style doors initially prevented me from seeing the stage. As I moved farther inside, the layout revealed itself, and I discovered a venue that was smaller than I had anticipated.
That turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
The main performance space is an intimate, 127-seat mini-theater, with a rectangular stage and a larger-than-life video screen serving as a backdrop. With approximately 75 people in attendance for JD’s performance, the room felt cozy rather than cramped. The audience was close enough to feel connected to the musicians, making the evening more personal than a performance in a larger concert hall.
A mezzanine wraps around much of the theater, offering another perspective on the performance. The venue also has a smaller stage in the front bar and lobby area, providing space for acoustic performances and regional singer-songwriters.
It’s an interesting combination: a relatively small audience area paired with a dedicated performance space and production capabilities.
I was also invited into the green room, which impressed me with its size and amenities. One detail I particularly liked was a wall of fame in the making, intended for visiting artists to sign. It’s a simple idea, but one that gives the venue a sense of history in the making. Every performer who leaves a signature becomes part of the story the room will eventually tell.
Live on the Porch also serves restaurant and bar food, an added convenience when you’re spending an evening enjoying live music. I spotted a 12-inch pizza that looked particularly tantalizing. I can’t comment on the taste because I didn’t sample it, but it certainly caught my attention!
For a new venue, there are plenty of thoughtful touches that make the experience feel welcoming.
A Night Worth Experiencing
My first visit to Live on the Porch was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and seeing JD Leonard in this acoustic trio format made it all the more worthwhile.
The songs from Just Drive offered a fresh perspective, the musicianship was front and center, and the exchanges between JD and Joe added another layer to the performance. Frank’s piano and backing vocals helped round out the sound, while the sing-along gave the audience its own moment in the spotlight.
It’s easy to become accustomed to seeing musicians perform in the same format, particularly when they’ve established themselves through a particular style or project. Nights like this are a reminder that there’s often more to discover when an artist steps outside that familiar framework.
JD Leonard demonstrated that versatility doesn’t require a change in identity. Sometimes, all it takes is a different arrangement, a few talented musical partners, and a room that lets the music speak for itself.
For those who know JD primarily through his tribute performances, this was a welcome opportunity to experience the musician’s own songs and appreciate the talent behind them.
As for Live on the Porch? I’m glad I finally had the opportunity to experience it. The intimate atmosphere, welcoming surroundings, and thoughtful layout made for a pleasant evening from beginning to end.
Sometimes, a smaller room makes the music feel even bigger.
