Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason James.
Hi Jason, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Turn back the clock to 2004, during a road trip to Myrtle Beach. After being treated to a very nice dinner, it was time to hit the clubs for some entertainment. Not quite sure what a Dueling Piano Bar was, we decided to check it out. As we walked in, we saw two pianos on stage and the whole crowd was singing! Having been a piano player since the age of 5, and a singer since high school, I was instantly hooked. These performers knew EVERYTHING! I spent the next three hours laughing at the player’s jokes and singing along with the crowd.
Over the next few years, I visited several of our local Dueling Piano Bars frequently in my hometown of Orlando, Florida. In 2009, I happened to be celebrating my 30th Birthday at Howl at the Moon. My friends knew I sang and played piano and decided they wanted to see me on stage. They paid what is known as a “stage fee” (in other words they tipped the players), so that I could play a song. The lead player called me up to the stage and I released my inner rockstar for the next two and a half minutes. I was thrilled for the opportunity and my friends and family sang my praises when I rejoined them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the night, but something happened that night I never saw coming. The National Entertainment Director approached me and asked if I had ever thought about a job playing piano. I politely thanked him as he handed me his card, but having a great job at the time, I didn’t think much of it.
I went back repeatedly over the next 7-8 months and got to know some of the piano players well enough that they let me sit in and play a song or two each night. By June of 2010, my passion to play music led me to reach back out to the Entertainment Director who invited me to audition the following week. I began my training to become a Dueling Piano Player the week after my audition!
Throughout the next 6 years, I was fortunate to be trained by the best duelers in the business. Just watching these extremely talented musicians each night made it worth going to work, never mind all the fun we had.
Although it wasn’t easy taking the next step, in 2016, I joined the freelance circuit and began playing different Dueling Piano bars and clubs around Florida. From that, I expanded my network of playing partners and eventually found myself playing at Rockeys Dueling Piano Bar in Gainesville, Florida.
Playing at Rockeys allowed me to meet several other amazing players who have been an inspiration in the formation of The Copper Piano. From the art of the show and how to read the crowd to business strategies/marketing of traveling performances, I will forever be thankful to each one of these talented mentors. Because of their wisdom and leadership, I decided to branch out in February of 2020, and form my own company – The Copper Piano.
Two years after starting the company, we are excited to announce we have begun launching branches in other parts of the country and are currently running between 50-60 shows a month.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a business 5 weeks before COVID shut down everything was challenging, especially for a musician. It forced us to get creative with our marketing strategies and client acquisition. Because of that, however, we are much more poised for future success as we have exponentially increased our performances as we come out of the pandemic.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Copper Piano – Dueling Pianos. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Welcome to The Copper Piano – the new choice for Dueling Pianos and Event Entertainment. Our pool of talented musicians will leave your guests with a smile on their face and a musical experience they won’t soon forget.
Ever seen a Dueling Piano Show? For those of you who have, no further explanation is necessary! Those that haven’t are in for a treat. Two talented musicians share the stage engaging audiences from young to old in a musical journey of sing-along, clap-along, and dance-along song requests made by the audience themselves.
Our players are some of the best in the business. We have played all over the world, on cruise ships, NBA and NCAA halftime shows, sold-out arenas, weddings, corporate events, and dueling piano bars across the nation. Some write and perform original music, while others are musical directors of their own band.
Each of us share a deep passion for music and entertaining audiences, The Copper Piano takes the Dueling Show to you!
Whether it’s your favorite neighborhood establishment, corporate parties, weddings, etc., We invite you to join us for a night of laughs, singing, and pure fun!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Joy.
We are fortunate to be in a profession that brings people joy. We realize we all live in unprecedented times where everyone seems to have added stress and chaos in their lives. Our job is to make you forget all your worries and take you on a music journey throughout our show. Seeing smiles, laughs, and genuine happiness and joy on the faces of our audience makes it all worth it!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thecopperpiano.com
- Website: www.thecopperpiano.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thecopperpiano
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecopperpiano
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecopperpiano
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/thecopperpiano
