Tune In, Turn On
When your intrepid writer moved back to the Jersey Shore in late summer of 2022, the first musician my buddy Mike took me to see was Michael LeCompt, who was performing at the famed nightclub, The Inlet in North Wildwood.
I remember LeCompt for his fun, outgoing personality, terrific live performance, and something else he did that day that showed Mike’s true character: giving Rep. Jeff Van Drew the what-for due to the congressman’s unexpected switch from one political party to another.
Fast forward to 2026. Michael LeCompt still performs at The Inlet Thursdays and Sundays, often playing as many as three full shows a day – including private parties on the water, Philadelphia Eagles tailgate parties and more (catch LeCompt and his band at The Point in Somers Point May 23 for free, and Memories in Margate June 5 and 20 (call the club or go online for cover charge). There are additional summer 2026 dates for LeCompt at each of these venues, too – see lecomptrocks.com for the band’s full schedule.
One of the more amazing things about LeCompt, now in his 60s but with the energy of someone half his age, is that he has continued to perform for over a year with a colostomy bag after his cancer diagnosis.
“When I was diagnosed with cancer, it was months after my brother had passed away. My sister had passed away a few years before from cancer. She was a nurse almost 20 years older than me,” recalled LeCompt in a wide-ranging interview we did recently. “She (Jean) always kept close tabs on all of us. When she passed, it was hard to deal with all of this, as you know when you lose a loved one.
“I was playing gigs for probably a year with symptoms. I knew my body was affected by something. I wasn’t sure, but it was about then that I made an appointment. I had a colonoscopy.
“The doctor told me I had Stage 3 colon cancer. I tried not to freak out that bad. I had great support around me, family and friends, so I played for a few more months and then went on chemo and radiation to try to shrink the tumor. I also did alternative medicine like RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) suppositories. I think that helped me a great deal.
“When I went into the hospital for the operation, it was a success, but while in the hospital, I got infected with sepsis. My hospital stay was almost three months – there were times when they didn’t think I was going to make it out. By the grace of God I got out.
“After three weeks I was back to a pretty heavy (live music) schedule. I wore a colostomy bag for a year and a half. When I got out of the hospital, I was also battling addiction. All my life I decided if I wanted to try to perform and do what I do, I have no choice but to get sober one day at a time, which I have been till this day. It was a crazy experience, but ever since then, the band has been more popular than ever.
“It was a long journey. I’m very blessed to have the support of so many people. It’s amazing the people who support me and come to see me – three generations of people. A lot of people take pictures, especially younger people, and say, ‘My parents love you, and my grandpa and grandparents used to come see you.’
“It’s been over six years that I have now been cancer-free. I keep on top of it, testing every few months. You know this story, as you are blessed yourself.” (in the last line, Michael is referring to my having overcome the Big C).
Even with his super-busy schedule as arguably the top-drawing and most popular rock cover band act at the Shore, LeCompt continues to record original music.
“I released a record last year, ‘Songs That Were Collecting Dust,’ which I recorded at Honey House Studios,” said LeCompt. “It’s on all the streaming platforms – Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
“I worked with a guy named Ian Cross who is a giant in the business. He’s worked with Janet Jackson, Usher, Carly Simon and more and has won many Grammys. I always knew of him, then I saw his post on Facebook. We met about 40 years ago, but we never really knew each other. About five months ago, he came into a club in Wildwood and saw me and we started talking. I said, ‘I would love to work with you’ but I could never afford his rates.
“After a month or so, he contacted me and said he would work with me. It’s really amazing to work with this guy. Just to watch (Cross) work – his ears are amazing.
“He’s a musician, a producer and engineer with 2 billion streams on platforms. He’s very successful and excited about it (working together). We are doing lots of songs at shows with the band and they are going over really well. As you know being mostly a cover band it’s hard to get your original music across. But it is working, thank God. People like the music and it just inspires me to write more.
“We are currently working on a new record with mostly original songs and a few covers. We are playing a lot of dates all summer in Wildwood, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Margate and of course, Philadelphia and the suburbs. Business is very good. I am very blessed and grateful for this run I am having.”
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
