Makanda, IL Dueling Pianos

Pianist/Pork Rind Expert

Chris binds the generation gap like Velcro. He knows all of the songs you want to hear, AND the song your father-in-law wants to hear, AND the song your grandma wants to hear!

Former Human

Half piano man, half chaos coordinator. Known to turn heartbreak into harmonies and whiskey into wild times. Will duel anyone—except grandmas or small children. Probably wearing sequins.

Pianist/Friend of Trees & Pigeons

Kelly always loved karaoke but respects that it is not everyone\'s cup of tea. One day she realized piano bars/dueling pianos offered a similar vibe of everyone singing along together and having a great time without putting pressure on anyone to be the center of attention. She will l take one for the team and be in the spotlight all night long!

Pianist/Prison Tattoo Artist

Back in the ’90s Matt was wrongfully convicted of downloading Metallica songs from Napster. He was sentenced to 10 years, and he spent most of his days tattooing fellow cellmates. His customers would always compliment him on his smokey baritone voice, as he would sing along to the 50s rock songs that played from his prized gold radio while he tattooed. He always said, “when they prove my innocence, and I get out of here, I’m gonna learn the piano and sing all these rockin’ songs to the world!” Finally, in 2002 his innocence was proven, and now he’s a free man, rockin’ in the free world.

Pianist/Former Child Prodigy

Nathan began performing the same as so many others: when he was ten years old, being forced to play piano for the grown-ups at a family gathering. In this early stage of his career, Nathan’s performances largely consisted of “Chopsticks” played over and over again. This was enough to make the adults sing his praises, and the supposed child prodigy decided then and there that he must chase that glorious feeling forever. Nathan has since found that “Chopsticks” is less endearing when played by a grown adult, which makes him a little bit sad. These days, he somberly accepts that paying customers want to hear “real” songs.

Pianist/Intergalactic Meteor Harvester

Jennifer tumbled out of space on a moonbeam covered in stardust, hit the ground running and fell headfirst into the wild world of dueling pianos. Her energy is infectious and her voice has the ability to morph across multiple genres.

Pianist/Ex-moonshiner

T. Duncan Parker claims to have been called from the free-flowing spirit world of general music into this plain of existence at this junction. He also has been known to lie about his origins.

Pianist/Cat Behaviour Consultant

Born and raised in the south coast of California, Eric makes his way to the icy metropolis they call Chicago. Eric spent most of his adult life performing on stage and screen; with such companies as Disney and Universal. As the tides turned, so did his gears; navigating him towards the exploration of piano. He continues to advance in his craft, while having fun doing it.

Pianist/Cat Behaviour Consultant

Mike was born and raised in that van parked down the street. His parents always knew he’d grow up and be the Elton John of his time, but unfortunately he is simply the Billy Joel of his time.

Pianist/Breakfast Sandwich Architect

Walking through the forest as a young child, Casey heard the songbirds singing, and bees buzzing, and crickets chirping, and the wind soughing through the trees. “This must be the music of nature!”, he thought. Then a robin put on a sequined blazer, pulled out a tiny piano and burst into Thunderstruck, and Casey had found his calling.

Pianist/Shredded Cheese Authority

Robert was born in the northern suburbs of Chicago with big hair and an even bigger love of 90’s music. He started playing the piano at the age of 9, because he was SO over all of the drama of 3rd grade.