Michael ‘Eppy’ Epstein launches new concert series for original LI bands

Michael "Eppy" Epstein has a new concert series. Credit: Michael “Eppy” Epstein has a new concert series.
Michael “Eppy” Epstein believes in original music and, more important, he keeps figuring out new ways to support it.
The Long Island Music Hall of Famer best known for founding the legendary My Father’s Place in Roslyn has launched a new concert series at the Lighthouse Waterfront Café in Glen Cove that could really shake things up.
Some of the shows are regular concerts, with stars like Marshall Crenshaw (May 19) and China Crisis (June 29) playing their hits in the intimate setting. But the bigger news may be Epstein’s plan for local acts playing original music there on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“I get so frustrated over the lack of ways to develop local original talent,” he says. “We’ve decided to make the musicians partners with us.”
Epstein has started offering up The Lighthouse space, which features a permanent stage with sound and lights, to local acts to play original music on those nights. The show will also be broadcast live on myfathersplace.com. There won’t be a cover charge, but bands will get 10 percent of the money their fans spend at the cafe on food and drink.
“Most bands end up taking home $400 to $600 a night,” Epstein says. “It’s a chance to help someone playing 100 percent original music.”