| The Depot's New Kid On the Block |
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| Written by Taylor | |
| Sunday, 05 October 2008 20:24 | |
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While most live music only allows for the occasional dancing or inebriated fan to make an appearance on stage, the concept of the dueling piano bar allows the audience to all participate at the same time. It’s almost like karaoke went to a party, had its first drink and hooked up with a couple pianos. We were entertained just waiting in line at Louie Louies this weekend!
Dueling piano bars have been around for a while, but were somewhat old fashioned at first. Pat O’Brien’s Piano Bar in New Orleans is a well known and historically popular bar. As it gained popularity, a new sensation would emerge in Dallas Alley with the opening of Alley Cats Piano Bar. The original musical format was changed from old-style songs to rock and roll requests. The revolution started and dueling pianists have been adding genres to their memory banks to appeal to mass audiences ever since. Now people can request almost any song they want from classics to contemporaries. Lubbock now has its very own dueling piano bar: Louie Louie's.  As we approached Louie Louie's from across the street, we could already hear singing and cheering. Our initial reaction almost turned to disappointment when we saw the line to get in, but quickly changed as we realized we could still watch and listen through the windows. Crowded tables were full of audience members who had their eyes and ears fixed to the stage. They were all watching Joey Hamende, Ronnie Wilson and Mike Hosch perform Bohemian Rhapsody. As the front door opened and closed, excitement rang out intermittently into the Depot District. This place is the most interactive bar we’ve encountered in Lubbock. The piano players take suggestions and play them as the crowd sings along. They actually encourage as much participation as possible; it seems to help fuel the evening’s fire.
Ronnie Wilson, who’s played at the infamous Pete’s Piano Bar in Austin, told us his interest in opening a dueling piano bar in Lubbock started about a year ago. The large number of young adults here made it an easy decision. These guys have started something sensational and unique in the Hub City. They have a very lighthearted and sarcastic humor, which makes for an awesome stage presence. The bar is 21 and up, open Wednesday through Saturday. They open at 7:00 PM and mentioned that if you get there early, there isn’t a cover. They also wanted to recognize their most loyal patron: Bob the secondhand deer head. He’s been there from the beginning and is always “hanging” out. So next time you're searching for something to do in the LBK, be sure to include Louie Louie's in your plans. You won't be dissapointed.
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 October 2008 20:58 ) |
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