It is not every day that something that started as a good time in the 1890s is still one of the best times that we can have today. But when it comes to dueling piano bars, it will always be a good time.
Dueling pianos can be traced back to ragtime piano players who would actually duel in an effort to see who could play better and faster. When Pat O’Brien’s opened in New Orleans, players would entertain the crowd on copper-topped baby grand pianos.
In 1986 a little piano bar called Dallas Alley (aka “Alley Cats) opened at the West End. Players at the club started redefining the old style of dueling pianos by making it more of a‘sing along’ rather than a competition between the two performers and playing more contemporary music coupled with humorous bits that involved lyric substitutions and audience participation.
With two live entertainers on grand pianos, the dueling pianos bring an exciting dynamic playing all of your favorites. Alley Cats repertoire ranges from the birth of rock and roll in the 50’s to today’s current hits.
Performing the dueling pianos show in Fairfield are veterans of the Dallas West End Alley Cats, Karl Berkebile and Arch Hooks.
Karl has performed all over the U.S. as well as in Japan. He played and recorded with Texas rockers Point Blank who toured with such legendary artists as ZZ Top, Bob Seger, the Allman Brothers, ACDC, the Doobie Brothers, Styx and others. He played and recorded with the iconic guitarist Bugs Henderson during the 90’s. Karl was one of the early players at the birthplace of dueling pianos, Alley Cats in Dallas. He was there for three years before moving to Gator’s in the West End of Dallas for eighteen more years. In the last few years he has played in numerous dueling piano bars in Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Lincoln, Nebraska as well as many locations in the DFW area including the Improv in Arlington and the Penguin in Dallas.
Arch was a piano virtuoso at age 4 in Amarillo, TX. Many years later he received Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Texas Tech University in Theatre and Music.
Arch began his professional career in Dallas, TX. His first Dueling Piano gig was at Alley Cat’s where he was one of the “Original Prime Time Piano Players”. He and his piano partner were asked to open “Howl at the Moon Saloon” in Cincinnati, OH, and the rest is history. After 12 years of success in the dueling world, Arch mastered the ability to create original music, develop and arrange existing music to create a new style, provide captivating and memorable performances. He has continued to professionally develop his craft with his own band for the past 20 years.
Arch has performed for well over 5 million people worldwide! For over 30 years, he has traveled extensively as a professional performer throughout the US, Canada and abroad. This included residencies in Dallas, Austin, Cincinnati, Boston, Colorado Springs, Auckland (New Zealand), and Scheveningen (Netherlands).
Presented by Trinity Star Arts Council and sponsored by the City of Fairfield, Alley Cats Dueling Pianos promises to be a fun evening that will have the audience singing and dancing along with their favorite songs. So, grab a group of friends and prepare for good time. The event will be held at Depot X on Friday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:15. The evening includes a buffet and show with a cash bar.
Reserved tables for eight are $400. General admission is $35.00 each. Tickets are available at Armadillo Emporium in Fairfield or online at TrinityStarArtsCouncil.org. For more information call 903-388-4765.
