Bob Long - "America's Number 1 Piano Personality!"

Bob will be performing his full stage show, "An Evening of Piano Music and Laughter Starring Bob Long" in the Vintner's Lounge at the Radisson Hotel in Santa Maria, California. This is the same show that has thrilled and delighted audiences from Las Vegas to Europe, as well as the finest cruise ships that sail the seven seas.

The show will play every Friday and Saturday night beginning May 22, and run through the end of June. Showtimes are 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Click HERE for a map and directions to the Radisson, or HERE for information about the Radisson. To see the ad for the show that appeared in the Santa Maria Times, click HERE.

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The Nov. 2 IPS celebration was a resounding success. It was, quite possibly, the best so far. Some new pianists showed up, and the spirit in the room was the best we've had, and we've had some good ones. Two of the new faces are established piano teachers in Santa Barbara. One has an award from the National Piano Teacher's Guild, an august institution which, I'm sure, never dreamed that it would one day go toe to toe with an impetuous upstart - the IPS. We heard Mozart, Chopin, and boogie-woogie. It was a really great show! My dream of having all the different stylists under one roof, and appreciating each other, is coming true.

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The International Piano Society (IPS) gatherings have proven to be a rousing success! The next meeting will be on Sunday, November 2, same time, same place (see below). Whether you're a piano player, or you just enjoy listening to piano music, mark your calendars and plan to attend what promises to be another fun afternoon. For more information, visit the IPS website, where you can read the IPS newsletters and see photos from our first meeting.

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This is exciting news, indeed! On Sunday, April 13, 2008, I will be emceeing the inaugural meeting of the Santa Barbara, California, chapter of the International Piano Society. It will be held at 1:00 p.m. at The Timbers restaurant in Goleta, just down the road from Santa Barbara. The atmosphere at The Timbers is very rustic and reminiscent of a log cabin. They have a beautiful, and in-tune, Kawai grand piano that we will be using. Everyone is invited to attend. If you play the piano, or just like to listen, please join us for this free, sure-to-be-fun event. Click HERE for a map and directions to the The Timbers.

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On May 5, 2006, I opened at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara, California. I will be featured in the lounge every Friday and Saturday night, beginning at eight p.m. I will be playing favorites from the "Bob Long Show," we'll have plenty of laughs and surprises, and there might even be an impromptu sing-along, or two. Like all of my shows, it will be a lot of fun!

The DoubleTree Resort is a beautiful hotel, located right on the beach. The piano is an exquisite, older Baldwin grand, and is a joy to play and a pleasure to listen to. By the way, dress is pretty much come as you are! I hope that you will join me here on weekends.

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As the year 2004 unfolds, I have some exciting news! The International Piano Society has formed in Las Vegas, with branches that soon will reach out far and wide. The IPS is really just a fun piano club that meets every couple of months so that members can play for each other in front of a crowd of enthusiastic and appreciative listeners. Membership is open to all ages, and you don't even have to be a piano player to be a member. Anyone who loves listening to piano music is encouraged to join. For more information about the International Piano Society, contact me here.

Also, I'm pleased to announce that my manual, 101 Blues and Boogie-Woogie Piano Licks, is ready for publication. To obtain a copy, or for information about the book, write to me here.

I'll be appearing in the showrooms of Holland America and other cruise lines this year (as well as on land in and around Las Vegas and southern California). I want to take this opportunity to thank the cruise industry for bringing pianists and audiences together.

This column will be updated every so often, so please check back from time to time.

Thanks,

Bob