Circa 1999…
JR Neal met his first 2-octave piano, complete with a whopping 20 stock sounds and 10 included beats. He was simply amazed that such a small musical instrument could produce so many hours of fun. With the support of two wonderful parents, a Nashville-style church band, a wacky 6th grade music teacher, a helpful neighbor and plenty of school plays and productions, JR soon made a name for himself in his hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas; and by 2005 he was off to college with nerves of steel and a spark of ambition.
There he studied music, helped reshape an a cappella group, The Beartones, who took 3rd place at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in New York in 2009, and would be constantly seen in downtown Springfield, Missouri at the local piano bar Ernie Biggs.
A couple years later, JR got a phone call and his first job working on an international cruise ship, performing for thousands of people every week. He was singing in A Cappella groups, directing choirs and constantly churning out new arrangements for ensembles and combo bands.
A man of many talents, useless facts, and horrible jokes, JR remains at the forefront of piano entertainment - singing, playing and having fun just like that 12 year old all those years ago with that little 2-octave Casio.
A native to Northwest Arkansas, JR performs in the Arkansas/Oklahoma/Missouri/Louisiana circuit quite often; when not traveling the world performing on cruise ships, in hotels, and piano bars alike. He can Rock and Roll your socks off, Two-step your Country heart, R&B your soul and even take you on a quick trip to Motown Records. JR thanks you for you support!
