Who is this guy?

My name is Raymond Schutz. I’ve been playing piano nearly my entire life. I took lessons professionally for over 10 years. I have a knack for memorizing almost every song I learn, and thoroughly enjoy learning playing new pieces.

I also love board games, rock climbing, video games, and trying new things outside my comfort zone. A public blog asking for financial help to restore a piano is far outside my comfort zone.

What is this about?

Ultimately, it’s me asking for help to restore my family’s piano. That, and I want to document this process for posterity/nostalgia.

There are free pianos available all the time, why this piano?

You’re right. There are free pianos available quite often. Technically, this is a free piano given to me. However, what makes this piano unique are a few things:

• History; This piano was used in a speakeasy! (Fun Fact: The burn marks on the keys are from resting cigarettes from speakeasy days!)

• Family; Long after prohibition ended and the speakeasy was turned into a bar/dance hall, the piano was given to my grandparents’

• Nostalgia; my aunts, uncles, and cousins all grew up playing on this piano at my grandparents house and is quite likely the first piano I ever played on

Who is restoring this?

I chose Jim Watson piano works to restore this piano because I wanted to work with someone local. After meeting him and seeing his passion first hand, I knew he was the right person I can trust working on this family heirloom.

This website is basic.

Correct. I wanted to build something that kept the content easy to navigate (and no ads). Stay tuned for more content and cringe worthy web design decisions.