As part of our ongoing "Getting to Know Your Local Businesses" series, we recently sat down with Heidi Lynch, co-owner of the new Norman's Dueling Pianos.
What does your businesses offer? How long have you been around?
"Norman's Dueling Pianos is part bar and part concert where you'll experience a non-stop party with live music performed in a high-energy setting. Guests select 100% of the songs that are played during our audience participation-based performances. There is no predetermined playlist for our talented musicians...our audiences control our shows! We held a soft opening to introduce ourselves to the community recently, but we will celebrate our official grand opening May 3-5."
How did you decide to get involved in this line of work? How did the businesses get started?
"My husband and I founded our traditional dueling piano bar primarily because there was a lack of unique interactive entertainment on the northside of Houston. Why should you have to travel all the way downtown to have a fun evening out? Last year, my mom visited for my birthday and we took her to a piano bar. I witnessed my 74-year-old mother let loose. She drank, laughed, sang and had an overall amazing experience. My passion for starting this business is about wanting to see others make those same kind of memories,...ones that they will never forget."
So, I have to ask...Who is Norman?
"Norman is our beloved Bulldog. He will also be in attendance during the grand opening for those wanting to meet him."
What is your business known for? What separates you from the competition?
"Those who attended our recent soft launch events said they had the best time when they got to hang out with others who are truly just there to have a good time and enjoy the company during the experience. Even though reviews were not solicited during our soft launch events, over 30 guests have given us 5-star reviews during the three-day performances. We are incredibly happy that our guests now have a place to go for a great time and experience the best nightlife so close to home!"
What is your favorite part of running this business?
"I truly love seeing our guests enjoy themselves together, with many experiencing a true piano bar for the very first time. I can't wait to see everyone at our grand opening events, watch them let loose and celebrate with us as we launch our unique ever-changing music-based shows."
Who is your ideal customer/client? Who do you serve best?
"We welcome anyone over 21 years of age and loves music, laughing, singing-along, clapping-along, drinking-along and having a helluva good time! Since it is a bar, those who are 18 - 20 can come, as long as they are with their parent/guardian and have an ID with the same last name/address as the attending guests."
Is there any other information you'd like your potential customers/clients to know about your businesses?
"We have two full-time talented piano players, including Steve Dakin, our music director, who has performed across the country for over 20 years. Our other full-time pianist, Michael Hosch, has over 15 years of experience; we grabbed him from a piano bar that he had been performing at in north Texas. Each week, we also have two traveling performers who play other types of instruments and spice up our performances. We will be hosting special events throughout the year. Details about our upcoming Cinco de Mayo event are already posted on our FB page -
https://www.facebook.com/NormansDuelingPianos/. Our margarita machine will be ready for everyone to enjoy!"
How do you see your businesses growing and improving over the next couple of years?
"We plan to firmly remain a traditional dueling piano bar that includes highly interactive audience participation. We do not want to evolve into just another personal concert venue as other piano bars have. In the future, we do plan to expand our locations to other parts of Houston."
