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My Story

I started playing piano at the age of 5. 

My neighbor Tracy was going to take lessons, so I asked my parents if I could too. 
We had an old Estey Console piano from the 1920's as I remember.  It wasn't anything great, but it was just perfect for me.

 
My First Piano.  An Estey Console. 

My mother played piano a little, and would play a few songs here and there for me to hear.  My piano teacher, Mrs. Mansfield came over every week with interesting little songs to learn and duets to play.   Each week I  not only learned my lesson, but learned HER part in the duets and all the songs my mother had been playing for years.  She seemed very happy with my progress.  Even on Sunday's at Sunday School my mom would know we were just about ready to come downstairs from our Sunday School class when she heard me banging on the piano some "boogie woogie" thing.  Yeah, that was fun. 

Looking back now, I see I  actually had a love/hate relationship with Mrs. Mansfield and the piano.  I did love playing, however Mrs. Mansfield wore what I believed to be "old lady's perfume".  Every time she came over and sat next to me, I would get the biggest headache!  What to do?  What to do?  I was in a very strange situation as I did want to learn, however the headaches were killing me.    In addition, my parents both smoked so our living room was also full of smoke most of the time.  Since the piano was situated in that room, you can only imagine that practicing was very difficult for me. 

Seeing that I wasn't practicing as much as they believed I should (or so my parents thought)...the lessons were cancelled after only a few months.  I purposely didn't practice when anyone was around because I didn't want the headaches.  She was such a sweet and wonderful woman and I being just a kid, didn't know how to express my feelings about this situation.  My little plot backfired on me when after a few weeks of no lessons, asking again for someone new and being told "no".  Darn.  I was not put off that quickly!

Over the next 10 years I would continue to play and practice everyday after school.  My mom worked part time and would arrive home about half hour after I did.  This gave me just enough time in the living room alone to play along with the Mickey Mouse Club and learn other songs.  Also during this time I was playing the clarinet in public school so reading notes wasn't a problem at all for me.  I knew the sound of the car engine and the tires hitting the gravel driveway - time to close up the piano.  Mom's home and time to get out of the living room.  Each evening would be the same, dad came home - we helped mom with dinner and then homework.  If I was lucky enough that my dad went downstairs to his workshop in the cellar and my mom too - I would sit down and play for a bit.  But once upstairs, the smoke was just too much to handle.

My high school years brought me playing a few new instruments as well as being in "band".  Here I learned a great deal about the classics and jazz.  I played in our little "jazz band" and enjoyed it very much.  Not having any real teachers all these years, the chords and "improvisation" were somewhat difficult for me to play.  But I practiced and practiced everyday.



Me and Grandma Carlsen in maybe 1983?  She lived to be 104 so I know I have MANY years left to play.
Thanks Aunt RuthEllen for letting us play!

To Cook or Not To Cook?

In my senior year, thoughts turned to colleges and I actually wanted to be a chef.  I applied and was accepted at Johnson and Whales College in Rhode Island.  I also looked at a school in Southern NJ for their culinary school as well.  My heart was still with the music.  In June of 1987, our Senior Awards Ceremony was held and I was invited.  I couldn't understand why because I wasn't the smartest in the school, nor the best at anything I could think of.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised with a scholarship awarded by the Band Parents and with a "Most Musically Talented" Award.  Imagine the surprise on the faces of the two others who had won the Senior Award for the Yearbook as "Most Musically Talented" when I went on stage!  I was very surprised, and happy.

This sealed my fate I believe.  I told my parents I really wanted to go to school to play music.  I had to audition for any music program I was going to attend, so  my parents agreed I could have a few lessons to help me along.  I had three lessons with a gentleman from New Brunswick, NJ (Sorry, I don't even remember his name!) and off I went to my audition.

They accepted me.

 
Sophomore Year College - Randy Ryerson, Guitar and Purple Jacket (Sweet Still) - and Tim Rafalski on Bass.
 
Peavey Keyboard Freshman Year - Glassboro State College.

Playing Billy Joel's "Angry Young Man" at Mainstreet Bar in Glassboro, NJ

Sweet double keyboard set and signing with "A Few Moments Later". 

John Calinan, Guitar, Joe Wells Drums and ME in an Eagles Shirt (Sorry NY Giants) playing at Fat Tuesdays on South Street, PA


First Earth Day Concert outside the apartments in Glassboro, New Jersey. 
Left to Right - Debbie Carlsen, Keys - John Calinan Rhythm Guitar, Randy Ryerson Lead Guitar, Joe Wells Drums and the INFAMOUS Lou "Not U" Hall, our leader and Main Singer.

One of our publicity shots for our band, "A Few Moments Later"  Dated 1992.  Left to Right - Randy Ryerson, Debbie Carlsen, Lou Hall, John Calinan and Joe Wells.

The Beginning of How I am Where I am - GERALD PRICE

I was now a Freshman at Glassboro State College in New Jersey.  Known for being the best music school in New Jersey, I was extremely excited about playing here.  It was here I learned so much from Gerald Price, THE best piano teacher in my opinion.  The first day I met Gerald, I was a little taken aback.  From his tall stance, to his gold tooth and gold pendant chain around his neck to his 13th reach stretch on the piano keyboard (You pianists KNOW what that is!)....he was just the best!  He asked me to sit down and placed a book in front of me.  The "REAL" book was it's name.  I had never seen anything like this.  Melody line and letters for the chords.  Well, here goes..............

His patience was unbelievable.  He smiled and said the words that I truly came to appreciate and love, "Well, yes Debbie - That has merit, however let me show you this - "    Ahhh...Gerald.  From that point he would play the same song I was just trying to, however his sounded well...right.  So full of voicing, tones and melodies within melodies.  Magic I thought.  I have to learn how to do that!

or the next four years, I met with Gerald every week.  He showed me how to do what it is "we" do on the piano and make it look so easy.  Gerald was also a great person as well.  So humble about his own talent and amazed when he played.  I used to love when he would be on stage somewhere, see me in the audience and then play something neat.  He'd immediately point to the keyboard and look at me and say "Ahhhh???".  I could only smile and shake my head up and down in agreement.   Ahhh became a word we used so frequently as a synonym for that was "GREAT"!

Gerald actually came to use that word when I played for him.  Gerald was a regular player at Ortleib's Jazz House in Philadelphia, PA.  He also accompanied a wonderful jazz singer, Ms. Justine.  I was surprised one evening when Gerald had Ms. Justine come to the college to hear me play.  Apparently, Gerald thought I had made the grade by now.  Nice. 

Through the years in college, I played in a few jazz groups, a "big band" group as well as various college rock bands.  I did the rounds at the local bars and restaurants and did enjoy it.  I have to admit it was nice walking along campus and being recognized every now and then for my talent.  I had Sororities and other college groups hiring me for just about everything.  I really enjoyed this time in my life.  I knew I would do well if I just continued on with my practicing and watching Gerald and others.

Well, as all good things come to an end, my college years were over.  Life started taking hold of me and the years just past by.  I still played a bit, however not nearly as much as I had hoped to.  I did have a few small jobs here and there, but never really was able to be "the" musician I wanted to due to other commitments and not having the support one needs for a career such as that.


THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!

One wonderful part of being in college too are the experiences you never expect you'll have yet somehow they appear to you.  I met Sam Marquez one day in the music building at Glassboro.  Mr. Marquez was the piano tuner and rebuilder for our school and had a local shop in the next town.  He offered me a job learning how to fix and restore pianos.  This was the best job I ever had in my life.  I have some pictures of those days but you can see about Sam and his Marquez Pianos - Williamstown, NJ  Thanks for everything you taught me SAM!


Here is actually the first grand I ever owned and rebuilt.  I think Sam would have been proud!



Marshall and Wendell piano circa 1927.  This is the after shot. 


Before and after shots of my first "Baby Grand".  Was a great instrument!

Well, years went by and  I ended up purchasing a home in Fort Myers, Fl.  One time while I was down here I decided to rent a piano for my house.  Everything happens for a reason you know?  This was just that! 

I met a great person named Steve Carver.  Steve was a salesman at a local piano shop where I rented the piano from.  He asked about my playing and believe it or not, the next time I visited Florida, Steve was working at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Naples, FL.  Steve asked if it would be ok for the store to refer me to clients who needed a pianist.  Of course I said yes!  What an amazing turn of events for me I thought.  Being a pianist for what I believe to be the best piano maker and world renowned company, Steinway.  Ok, it's not New York, but it IS Steinway!  I was so proud of myself, I must admit.  I also met a wonderful man by the name of Greg Billings, the owner of the Gallery.  He has been very kind and helpful to me as well.




This piano is from the Art Case Gallery Tour that Steinway was sending around the Country.  Greg Billings asked me to come and play for the evening.  Yes - the top is made of stained glass and I tried to get a nice shot with the sun coming through. 








I made my final move to Florida in December 2004 and within a few months purchased my own Kimball Baby Grand piano from a dear friend.  Having my own place gave me the opportunity to play as much as I wanted.  I was in heaven!  I've had countless people hear me play over the years and they always asked where I was playing.  I sadly said, no where.  I did desperately wish to play out, however as life hands you a deck a cards, you have to deal with your hand when you have it.  Jersey wasn't conducive to me playing out however Florida held new opportunities.

One afternoon in January 2005, a friend and I were in downtown Naples, FL.  We stopped in for lunch at a cute Irish Restaurant.  At the end of the bar was an old, upright piano AND I noticed - a sign looking for a piano player.  Hmmm...interesting.  I asked the bartender if they would mind if I sat down and played for a bit until the food arrived.  Not a problem!  Well, after a few bars of I don't know what - they offered me the job.  I was going to be playing three nights a week and singing as well.  I was very happy and enjoyed every night I was there.  Half of the keys on the piano stuck and it was terribly out of tune, but I made it sing!  There was a mirror situated above the piano so I could look up and see the crowd.  I felt like a school bus driver actually!   Whether it was a small crowd or large, the evenings were all memorable.  The staff were wonderful and the crowd as well.  You can check the place out here.   It's a REALLY old piano but it was a great time!

Fast forward to 2009, today - March 3rd.  I've been fortunate enough to have played many venues here in Florida and continue to add to my list places such as The Verandah in Fort Myers City, ChannelMark in Fort Myers, FL as well as my current location I am playing, Miromar Lakes Country Club.  I am now in the process of looking into starting up my OWN Piano Bar here in Fort Myers.  There aren't many places that offer music such as I play along with the atmosphere that is more accustomed to nice wine, good food and good music.  Not taking anything away from the places here, I just wish to have my own place that I can be proud of and play whenever and whatever I'd like to.  Hopefully that dream will come to fruition this year. 


Pictures below are from various pianos I've been fortunate enough to play over the past few years.


This is a picture of the Steinway Art Case Collection Piano called "SummerTime".  I was able to play this at the Steinway Gallery in NY, NY.  The room was amazing with Steinway B's from the late 1880's until today. 


So what am I doing today?

Today I have my own lovely Gaueau Grand Piano and here I am (as you've seen from the front site).  I will be playing at the Koreshan State Park coming this winter's season with small concerts on Saturdays (Days will be listed on my calendar of events) as well as playing locally at Lee Memorial Hospital.  They have a lovely piano in the atrium and it's good to give back some, don't you think?    Would be great to have you come see me play! 


Steinway and Sons Grand from 1885.  Koreshan State Park.








Art Hall for the Koreshan State Park. 

Thanks for reading!