Central
Illinois Dueling Pianos, while based out of Peoria, IL employs
professional dueling pianos players from all around the Midwest.
Primarily performing in venues within a 90 mile radius of Peoria,
CIDP offers the best of both worlds with our performances - you
get a locally produced show but with players from a national stage.
Dueling
piano's earliest roots are from the late 1890s, when ragtime piano
players really would duel to see who could play faster.
Today's
format originated at Pat O'Brien's bar on Bourbon Street in New
Orleans. Two piano players would take turns playing songs requested
by the audience, who wrote their picks on cocktail napkins.
The
format became even more common when bars and clubs all over the
country started incorporating popular music and involving the audience.
Central
Illinois Dueling Pianos started producing dueling shows in late
February 2005 at The Waterhouse in Peoria under the name - Howlin'
on Water...Dueling Pianos.
Starting
in September of 2005, The Howlin' on Water show played every Friday
night at the Waterhouse and expanded to play every Saturday at Maggie
Miley's in Normal, IL until December 2006.
Due
to the demand for private parties at The Waterhouse, starting in
January 2007 Central Illinois Dueling Pianos hit the road and now
plays exclusively private shows all over Illinois and public performances
about once a month back at The Waterhouse.
The
show greatly depends on its audience - the song requests and the
level of participation can make or break a show. In fact, a show
probably depends just as much on the audience as the performers.
If you have an older crowd, you'll hear oldies, classics, Motown
tunes. A younger crowd might request Lady Gaga or Outkast.
This
is what makes dueling pianos such a great choice for private parties
too as it can appeal to any crowd whether you are 8 or 80. You choose
the songs, so it is truly your show!