It is well known that most country stars play the guitar. Some like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill are very proficient at it, and it's a real part of what they do. Others, simply play rhythm portions of their songs in concert. Then there are those where, well... it's a mere prop and that's fine too.
There are far fewer that play the piano. But there are a few and for them, keyboards are also a real part of what they do. So it should be fun to look at some of them here. Truth be told some of these do play the guitar and other instruments in addition to the keyboards. I'll include my full profile where I have done one on them. There is no order, just some very talented people.
So let's look back at some - they are - The Keyboardists
Ronnie Milsap (My Full Profile On Him)
The success Ronnie Milsap was incredible, and his piano playing is too. In addition to his own 40 plus number one songs, one of his very big breaks was being invited to be the keyboardist on the Elvis classic song, Kentucky Rain, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt. (Nice trio there.) Milsap has been using the piano as a real part of his live show for years, GREAT entertainer.
Milsap At The Piano - At His Best
Phil Vassar (My Full Profile On Him)
The piano is a real part of Phil Vassar's live show. Vassar is an incredible songwriter and a terrific showman on stage. Many of the great songwriters in all kinds of music write them on the piano, and so did Vassar. His playing is incredible and so has his very diversified career. A super talent! SEE HIM LIVE!!!!!!!!
His Signature Song
Lionel Cartwright
His run in the early 1990's was too short. Lionel Cartwright was a very talented guy who played the piano and 9 other instruments and recorded some darn good songs. There were times I felt his songs were slightly reminiscent of 80's pop hit maker, Bruce Hornsby. He scored a few top ten hits and had a #1 with Leap Of Faith. But my favorite was Give Me His Last Chance which was a #3 hit. As talented as he is, he may have been caught in the avalanche that was the early 90's. So many new stars and songs, some got left behind. But to show you the company he was in, in 1990 three were nominated for the ACM Best New Male Artist - Cartwright, Garth Brooks and Clint Black. Black won. Lionel Cartwright was terrific!
Great Song Here - Dude Is Incredibly Talented
Floyd Cramer
You can't talk about The Keyboardists unless you mention the amazing Floyd Cramer. He is very Old School, but you should know that still today in Country, Rock and Pop musical circles he is known as greatest piano player of all time. He was in Elvis Presley's band for a number of years. He also had his own career and even invented a new way to play the piano. His "slide note" style where two notes almost become one instantly was his signature and influenced keyboard players for generations. He successfully put emotion into the keys. In his 40 plus year career, he was the most in demand keyboard player on the planet and recorded and performed with literally every single Nashville star there was. He is on many the most famous recordings ever. He is also in Country Music Hall Of Fame, and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and his #2 hit - the incredible Last Date is in the Grammy Hall Of Fame. He is quite simply one of the greatest musicians ever in Nashville and Country music.
Floyd Cramer passed away in 1997.
Last Date - Is An Iconic Recording
