Piano Barbarians with Paul Seiz

Pull up a piano bench—Jamogi is in the house.

For Episode 007 of Piano Barbarians, Paul Seiz welcomes Jamogi to the mic. Come for the guest, stay for the hang, and meet the person behind the name.

Piano Barbarians puts musicians in the conversation seat. No audition required.

Enjoy the episode? Follow on Spotify or subscribe on YouTube, and share it with your favorite music-loving friend.

Welcome to Episode 006 of Piano Barbarians! 🎹

This time, we sit down with Ron Lackey, one of Kansas City’s most recognizable entertainers. While many know Ron as the charismatic frontman and bandleader of the award-winning R&B, soul, and funk band 2Proud2Beg, he’s also a pianist, theater performer, music minister, producer, and creative force who has spent decades bringing people together through music.  

In this conversation, Ron opens up about his musical journey, why he identifies more as a singer and bandleader than a pianist, and how leading a band requires an entirely different skill set than simply playing the keys. We also dive into his work in Kansas City’s theater community, producing Motown tribute shows, performing at weddings and corporate events, and the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of entertaining audiences.  

Whether you’re a keyboard player, vocalist, bandleader, or just love hearing the stories behind successful music careers, Ron shares wisdom, humor, and plenty of behind-the-scenes experiences.

In this episode:

• Ron’s path from church music to professional entertainment
• Building and leading the Kansas City band 2Proud2Beg
• Why being a frontman is different from being a pianist
• Stories from theater, weddings, and the live music world
• Advice for musicians looking to build lasting careers

👍 If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know your favorite Ron Lackey story.

#PianoBarbarians #RonLackey #KansasCityMusic #2Proud2Beg #MusicPodcast #Pianist #Singer #BandLeader #LiveMusic #KeyboardPlayer

🎹 Piano Barbarians Episode 005: Jackie Myers 🎹

Some musicians can play jazz.

Some musicians can entertain a crowd.

Jackie Myers looked at those two worlds, shrugged, and decided to master both.

In this episode of Piano Barbarians, Paul sits down with one of Kansas City’s most respected pianists, composers, and musical chameleons. Jackie has built a career that stretches from smoky jazz clubs and national radio to producing concerts, composing original music, and somehow making it all look effortless. (⁠Jackie Myers Music)

They dive into the strange Venn diagram where artistry collides with making a living, trading stories about improvisation, touring, creative risks, the realities of being a working musician, and why sometimes the best music happens when the plan completely falls apart.

Whether you’re a jazz fanatic, a piano nerd, or just someone fascinated by how musicians build careers that actually last, this conversation is packed with insight, laughs, and enough keyboard geekery to make your sustain pedal jealous.

🎹 Topics include:
• Jazz vs. piano bar life
• Improvisation and musical instincts
• Building a career beyond the stage
• Creativity, composition, and producing
• Kansas City’s thriving music scene
• The beautiful chaos of life as a professional musician

Because around here…

The best seat in the house is onstage.

🎹🔥 PIANO BARBARIANS EP. 004 | Sean Yeung 🔥🎹

What happens when two piano players start talking shop and nobody tells them to stop?

In this episode of Piano Barbarians, Paul Seiz sits down with the endlessly creative Sean Yeung for a conversation that ricochets from dueling pianos and live performance to musicianship, creativity, career pivots, and the strange little moments that only happen when your office is a stage.

Sean has built a reputation as a versatile performer with serious musical chops, and together they unpack the realities of entertaining audiences night after night while keeping the music fresh. Along the way you’ll hear road stories, gig philosophy, behind-the-scenes laughs, and a few detours only fellow keyboard fanatics could appreciate.

Whether you’re a working musician, a dueling piano regular, or someone who just enjoys hearing passionate artists pull back the curtain, this one’s for you.

🎹 The best seat in the house is onstage.

What does it actually take to run one of Kansas City’s busiest dueling piano bars?

In Episode 003 of Piano Barbarians, Paul Seiz sits down with Hannah Dowell, owner and entertainment director of Hammers Piano Bar in Kansas City’s historic Westport district.

They pull back the curtain on the organized chaos of live entertainment, including:

🎹 Booking world-class piano players

🎤 Building unforgettable audience experiences

🍻 The reality of running a nightlife venue

🎶 What separates great entertainers from merely good musicians

😂 Road stories, behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty of laughs from life onstage

Whether you’re a musician, venue owner, dueling piano fan, or someone who’s always wondered what happens behind the scenes, this episode is packed with stories from the trenches of live entertainment.

Guest: Hannah Dowell

Host: Paul Seiz

🎹 Piano Barbarians is the podcast where musicians talk shop, swap stories, and celebrate the wonderfully unpredictable world of live performance.

👍 If you enjoyed the episode, like, subscribe, and leave a comment letting us know who we should invite on next.

#PianoBarbarians #DuelingPianos #HammersPianoBar #KansasCity #WestportKC #LiveMusic #Musicians #Podcast #Entertainment #PianoPlayers #PaulSeiz

In this episode of Piano Barbarians, Paul sits down with jazz pianist Rob Tribb for a deep dive into the skills every working musician needs.

Rob shares insights on developing authentic jazz improvisation, the art of accompanying singers, and what really happens at open jam sessions. Whether you’re a pianist looking to improve your playing, a vocalist seeking a better accompanist, or a musician preparing to jump into your first jam session, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and real-world experience.

🎹 Jazz improvisation and developing your musical voice
🎤 How to accompany singers effectively
🎶 Navigating open jam sessions with confidence
🎵 Listening, communication, and musical interaction
🔥 Common mistakes musicians make at jams
🎹 Life as a working jazz pianist

If you enjoy conversations about piano, jazz, musicianship, and the creative process, be sure to subscribe for future episodes of Piano Barbarians.

#JazzPiano #PianoBarbarians #JazzImprovisation #OpenJam #JazzMusician #PianoPodcast #RobTribb #JazzEducation #AccompanyingSingers #Pianist

🎹⚔️ The Barbarians are back.

Welcome to the relaunch of Piano Barbarians, the podcast where great musicians share the stories, lessons, triumphs, and occasional train wrecks that shaped their musical journey.

For Episode 001, we’re joined by Desiree Irwin, a versatile pianist, singer, and performer whose career has taken her across stages across the world.

Whether you’re a pianist, music educator, performer, or simply someone who loves hearing how creative people find their path, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.

What does it really take to build a meaningful career in music while staying true to yourself?

Press play and join us as we find out.

📧 We’d love your feedback, guest suggestions, and questions for future episodes:
[email protected]

#PianoBarbarians #DesireeIrwin #PianoPodcast #MusicEducation #MusicianLife #Pianist #MusicIndustry #CreativeCareers #KeyboardPlayers #PodcastLaunch 🎹🎙️

🎹🔥 PIANO BARBARIANS 🔥🎹
with Paul Seiz

“Some podcasts whisper politely into the algorithm.
This one kicks the door open with a left-hand octave.”

Welcome back to Piano Barbarians… the show where ivory keys meet road stories, music obsession, glorious trainwreck gigs, late-night inspiration, and the occasional emotional support power chord.

After a little time off, Paul Seiz returns to the piano bench armed with fresh stories, sharper questions, and enough caffeine to legally qualify as fusion energy. ☕⚡

Whether you’re a piano nerd, a touring musician, a weekend warrior, or somebody who just likes hearing artists talk shop without sounding like corporate LinkedIn robots… you’re in the right place.

🎵 Expect conversations about:
• performance and creativity
• songwriting and stagecraft
• surviving the music business with your soul intact
• legendary gigs and catastrophic ones
• the beautiful chaos of being a musician in modern America

So crack open the sustain pedal…
turn the speakers up irresponsibly loud…
and welcome back to the barbarian campfire.

This is Piano Barbarians. 🎹🛡️