The arrival of April signals the long-awaited return of outdoor patio season and the sound of live music at all your favorite restaurants. Musician and Kirkwood resident Mike Mattingly is known for his voice, guitar, and easygoing stage presence, making him a local favorite. This patio season, he is bringing something much deeper to the outdoor music scene at Mike Duffy’s and Billy G’s.
Mike is hosting a Patio Party featuring the soulful sounds of The Pernikoff Brothers in concert on Saturday, April 18th, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The Pernikoff Brothers recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, toured with The Bacon Brothers, and have opened for Rufus Wainwright, Augustana, and The Revivalists. This is a unique opportunity for you to hear The Pernikoff Brothers before they hit the road to open for Blues Traveler in May. This free benefit concert is designed to celebrate community, great music, and the power of granting a wish through incredible generosity. 100% of the proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas.
As the Business Development Manager for Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas, Mike is on a mission to use his music to increase awareness and donations. While the name "Make-A-Wish" evokes images of world-renowned recognition, the local chapter is a lean, community-funded nonprofit that relies on neighbors helping neighbors to grant the wishes of critically ill children in our region.
"People often assume we’re a huge national organization with endless resources, but that’s not the case," Mike explained. “We rely on our community partners and individual supporters to fuel our mission. While Make‑A‑Wish is one of the most trusted nonprofits in the country, most people do not realize that our local chapter is its own separate 501(c)(3).”
The Missouri & Kansas chapter must raise its own funding locally to continue its mission. And with over 400 children qualifying for wishes each year, the need is far greater than most people realize.
“Currently, there are over 550 children throughout Missouri & Kansas who are on the wait list for a wish – 200 of them are right here in the St. Louis area,” Mike said. “It is my vision to find a way to grant each and every one of these incredible kids a wish.”
Most people think of a wish as a single magical day—a trip, a celebrity meeting, or a moment of joy. But Mike sees the deeper impact every day.
Mike said, “The Make-A-Wish experience has the power to transcend far beyond just a single meeting or a gift. Wishes have the power to transform the lives of everyone involved.”
That anticipation becomes a lifeline. A source of hope. A reason to keep going.
Parents feel it too, breathing a little easier. Siblings feel included — wish volunteers intentionally bring gifts for brothers and sisters, recognizing the toll a family illness takes on everyone in the home. And when the wish finally happens, families consistently call it the best day of their lives.
It’s this emotional transformation—not just the wish itself—that fuels Mike’s mission.
From April through October, Mike performs on the patio for "Make-A-Wish Wednesdays" at Mike Duffy’s and "Make-A-Wish Mondays" at Billy G’s. His signature Make-A-Wish flags will be flying, and tables will feature QR codes, making it easy for locals to contribute directly to the cause.
His goal is simple and ambitious: raise $17,043—the average cost of granting one wish.
Whether you attend Mike’s Patio Party featuring The Pernikoff Brothers in concert benefiting Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas on Saturday, April 18th, from 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, or scan a code during a weeknight dinner at Duffy’s or Billy G’s, every contribution brings a local child closer to their wish.
“Someday, I’d love to be able to say that every child who has qualified for a wish received their life-changing wish,” he said. “That’s the dream we’re working toward every day.”
On April 18th, that dream gets a little closer.
Patio Party location details and tickets can be found at www.PatioParty2026.com.
To learn more about our local Make-A-Wish chapter or to get involved with granting wishes, contact Mike Mattingly at 314-941-3941 or mmattingly@mokan.wish.org.
Mike is hosting a Patio Party featuring the soulful sounds of The Pernikoff Brothers in concert to benefit Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas on Saturday, April 18th, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Patio Party venue location, details, and tickets can be found at www.PatioParty2026.com or by emailing Mike at mmattingly@mokan.wish.org.