What started as a marketing plan to sell more pianos for a Southern Utah music store, via social media, has blossomed into a worldwide musical phenomenon.
Over a thousand members and guests of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listened to Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, Al van der Beek and Paul Anderson—AKA The Piano Guys—share their origin story on Thursday 27 September in the Brisbane suburb of Karawatha.
The visitors also related how their faith in God and Jesus Christ, and the love and support of their families, have been the bedrock of their personal and career successes.
Elder Carl R. Maurer, Area Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided at the devotional.
“The Piano Guys and their wives are wonderful examples of people who are striving to love God and love their neighbours,” Elder Maurer said after the devotional. “We’re very grateful that they took time out of their busy touring schedule to share their marvellous talents and inspiring testimonies with us.”
A decade after forming their group, The Piano Guys’ 70 or so YouTube videos have been watched 1.5 billion times; they have six million subscribers; and nine albums.
But as busy and successful as they have become, they are still down-to-earth. Real and relatable. Boldly declaring their joy in the journey of life, mostly with supernal music encased in vibrant videos, but also in declarations of faith and hope forged in the crucibles of mortality.
On Thursday evening they mixed artistry and authenticity with spoken word as eloquent as their musical arrangements.
Pianist Jon Schmidt shared his feelings about prayer. He said that he and his fellow band members regularly pray when they are faced with a tough challenge.
New Zealand-born Al van der Beek, music producer and vocalist, greeted those in attendance in Samoan, Tongan and Korean. He said he recently had a DNA test and found out he is 47% European, 43% Samoan and 10% Chinese.
He then said: “And I’m 100% a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Paul Anderson, the group’s videographer, said he received the “Most Shy Award” at high school.
He paid tribute to his wife, Tracy, saying marrying her was the best decision he has ever made.
He confessed that he is “learning as he goes along,” as he finds creative ways to showcase the band’s music for a growing worldwide audience.
In closing remarks, Nelson said that life is meant to be happy and joyous. He said that studying the Bible and the Book of Mormon, for him, leads to happiness.
He invited all in attendance to read the Book of Mormon every day, and promised that those who will do that will find answers to life’s toughest challenges, and strength beyond their own.
At the end of the evening the group took several questions from the audience, responding with warmth and wit.
After the devotional, one attendee said: “It was a joy to spend an evening listening to music and messages that lifted my soul.”
Daniel Shine, president of the Gold Coast Australia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, conducted the devotional.
The Piano Guys are currently touring Australia after performing in Singapore earlier this week.
They will do shows in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.