Mike Schuler: The Piano Man

Background: Schuler, better known around Abilene as the Piano Man, grew up in New York City where he taught himself to play on his grandfather’s piano. At age 9, he took up the trumpet, and at age 13 he played in Carnegie Hall. He followed his older sister to Abilene to attend Hardin-Simmons University and played trumpet with cowboy band.

Career: Shortly after graduation, he began playing piano at Fairway Oaks Country Club. (“There wasn’t much market for a professional trumpet player in Abilene,” he notes.) Soon, he was a fixture at Crystal’s Pizza as well. After brief stints in Dallas, South Padre Island and a return to New York, he found himself back in Abilene in the early 1990s. He played regularly at Abilene Christian University’s dining hall for the better part of two decades, and now every Tuesday at lunch he entertains students at his alma mater. He can also be found at Cypress Street Station, The Paramount, and both locations of Heff’s.

Audience Interaction: Over the years, Schuler says he’s enjoyed playing for audiences of all ages. “The interactions I have are usually people coming and talking, but sometimes I’m watching and seeing what people respond to,” he said. “Usually smiles. But sometimes I see someone with a tear in the eye – a song really got to them. And sometimes afterward I get to hear their story.”

Most Requested Songs: “People see a man and a piano, so they ask for ‘The Piano Man,’” Schuler said. “And a lot of other piano songs – ‘The Entertainer,’ ‘Music Box Dancer.’ I tell them, ‘just think music; don’t be limited.’” There’s not much limit for Schuler who has a repertoire of about 5,000 songs that he can play from memory.

Family: Wife, Andrea, a photographer, and children Sarah (7), Michael (9), Daniel (5) and Rebecca (3).

Abilene Attraction: “I enjoy Abilene because it’s so even keeled. Some people might call that boring, but so many people who leave end up coming back. This is a great, steady place.”