Michael Del Punta

Michael Del Punta interview 30th Aug 2010

19 year old Michael Del Punta born in Verona, Italy now living in Youghal, Co. Cork is known as the singing waiter. We will go back to when Michael was 18 and like any 18 year old he used to take his girlfriend out for a meal to the Capri Bay restaurant in Youghal, however being a student and not working he stopped calling into his favorite restaurant for on a daily basis when asked by the owner of the restaurant why he wasn’t calling he explained he didn’t have any work or money and was only a student. Well the owner offered him a job waiting tables in the restaurant.

As Michael says himself he wasn’t the best waiter but stuck with it, after about two weeks he was out back taking his break and singing to himself when his boss said to him “Don’t be singing out here you should sing in the restaurant, go in there and sing” Michael did, and the rest as they say is history

Michael while waiting tables would start singing for the customers and they loved it. He felt that he could do with some help so under the guidance of Mary Peader Daly in Killeagh he took some voice lessons. However its not just the fact that he sings while waiting tables its the choice of songs he sings, Frank Sinatra,  Tony Bennett, Michael Buble, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr & Harry Connick Jnr are some of the singers he styles  himself on. “Growing up my brothers and sisters used to listen to Depeche Mode and other groups but I had a Christmas CD with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and I loved the sound and style and ever since I have been listening to that type of sound. My favourite singer is Frank Sinatra and I love the way he can sing and entertain”.

It was only a matter of time before he was talked into recording a four track e.p. with Fly Me to the Moon, Mack the Knife, That’s Life and Sorrento on it. It’s not hard to understand why this album sold out its first run in a few weeks. He has a unique sound for someone so young. He has spent time developing a style and voice. His confidence has grown from when he would stand behind the counter or radio and sing to now, where he walks among the tables singing requests to patrons while they eat. He is looking forward to Christmas this year when he will record his own Christmas album. Currently you can view a video of Michael at work on Youtube just type in “the singing waiter”, if you want to see him sing live then just head to the restaurant any weekend evening after seven and you will be fed and entertained at the same time.