TUNED IN: MEMOIRS OF A PIANO MAN

Wilson’s memoir chronicles an aspiring artist’s life in the music industry.

The author grew up in Amarillo, Texas, in the 1960s. He got involved in some youthful hijinks, like stealing beer with friends, but he had long set his heart on making music. He eventually settled in Los Angeles in the late 1970s, but how would he survive in such an expensive city overflowing with talented people chasing similar dreams? The answer: piano tuning. Prior to his time in L.A., he attended a six-month program in Cleveland learning piano tuning, and the training paid off—with diligence, he obtained a reputation in L.A. as a dependable technician. When MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technology came around, he established himself as an installation expert. This work, along with the tuning gigs, brought him into the orbit of mega-stars such as Carole King, Elton John, and Paul McCartney (the book includes photos of the author posing with various musical heavyweights). Despite the success of his efforts, the author still wanted to pursue his own musical career; he put together an album of music described as “folk-meets-Celtic-meets-classical-meets-whatever” and began the meticulous task of building a name for himself. This memoir shines a light on the figure of the entertainment industry technician. Even celebrities need their pianos tuned, and, when something goes wrong, it can be disastrous—Wilson recounts an Elton John performance in which, due to some complications with a MIDI device, Elton was ready to leave the show early. While many of the stories concern famous names (rest assured, McCartney is a “great dude”), the book is at its best in grittier moments; even with the author’s connections, his career as an artist started very much at the bottom, performing and selling CDs in shopping malls. Such hardships help make the book an endearing, well-rounded reflection.

An inviting mix of star-studded encounters and an affirmation of a persevering artistic spirit.