05/27/2026
To our Leo's at the Slice / The Slice Pie Middletown family and Our community:
After much discussion between owners and management, we feel it is important to publicly clarify that David Kevorkian, also known as “Johnny Bananas,” “Josh Short,” and other aliases, is not and has never been employed by , or have ownership of our venue.
Mr. Kevorkian operated solely as an independent promoter who rented and used our space on an event-by-event basis. Recently, we have become aware of multiple situations involving misrepresentation, unfulfilled promises, and negative experiences involving local artists and community members. These actions and behaviors do not reflect our values, our business practices, or the environment we are trying to create.
Because of this, Leo’s at The Slice and The Slice Pie will no longer host, promote, or participate in any events organized by David Kevorkian or any associated aliases moving forward.
We want to be transparent with our community. Over time, several contracted performances and commitments connected to this promoter failed to materialize, including scheduled appearances involving Randy Allen Webb, 12 Stones, Enough Is Enough, and Saving Abel. While we understand that circumstances can change in the entertainment industry, repeated cancellations, broken agreements, and lack of accountability are not a business model we can continue supporting.
We also want to address comments made suggesting that artists were “robbing the venue” if ticket sales were low or if attendance did not meet expectations. That is simply untrue. Leo’s did not profit from ticket sales connected to these independently promoted events. Our venue only benefited from normal food and beverage sales. Our goal was never to exploit artists — it was to provide a stage, a platform, and a safe welcoming environment where musicians, performers, and community members could come together and share their talents.
Live music means a great deal to all of us personally. We genuinely believe music, art, and entertainment bring communities together when done the right way. We have worked extremely hard to keep live music alive in Middletown, even when it has been financially difficult for Us as a small locally owned business.
At the end of the day, we will never sacrifice our core values, integrity, or the trust of our community for the sake of entertainment or profit.
Going forward, we will be focusing on more in-house events, community-driven entertainment, and creating an atmosphere where people feel welcomed, respected, safe, and valued. We want Leo’s stage to continue being a place where local artists, musicians, comedians, creators, and supporters can come together in a positive environment.
We appreciate everyone who has supported us through this journey, and we ask for your continued support as we move into this next chapter.
Please continue supporting local businesses, local artists, and local music.
Let’s continue building a stronger community together — with honesty, respect, and love❣️
-Leo’s at The Slice / Slice Pie
