MY FAVORITE OF ALL TIME

Historic Pianist in Historic Town

My wife and I were to meet our son and his family in Southwest Missouri to spend Christmas week with them. We chose a location about half way for both because he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since we were arriving early to our resort lodging I told my wife of a popular spot in the historic town of Hollister, Missouri which would allow time for coffee and one of the favorite carrot cake dishes made at this beautiful stop. She affirmed that would be great.
I had heard it was owned by the famous concert pianist Dino Kartsonakis who has been my favorite pianist for nearly 40 years. Knowing it was Monday before Christmas I had no idea that he would happen in with an entourage of visiting family.
However, he was gracious to allow me some time and a photo shot. We discussed many of his early albums which I remembered out of his 50 albums to date and then I bought two which he autographed.
Dino was born in New York City to Greek parents and he began at age three to play his grandmother’s piano. At five he began taking piano lessons. He later received his professional training at The King’s College (who’s second President was my friend Dr. Robert Cook) and the Juilliard School of Music.
He is truly an American Piano Showman, a title given to him by over 80 million people who view his performances in some venue every year.
Dino and his wife Cheryl can be seen weekly on The Trinity Broadcasting Network or his show in Branson, Missouri where he performs annually. Kartsonakis also performed at the famed Carnegie Hall on December 15, 2005.
He plays a number of different types of music, all done professionally perfect, but I love his ability to combine the sacred and classical in such a way that the listener can worship and enjoy the old classics at the same time.
Often, I go to his website at www.dinoplayspiano.com/musicinsight.php lie near my computer and listen to his music or view some of the Great Hymns of the Faith put together by my dear friend Robert J. Morgan of Nashville for Thomas Nelson Publishers and listen as Dino plays the many selections.
I am not surprised that this artist and entertainer would also have a successful business after the liking of his chef father since he was raised around great baking. If you like Greek food you can also find a section of his mother’s recipes at http://www.24karrot.com/ .
His schedule was full and our time gone, but the stop was refreshing and the CD of one of his latest was played for nearly four hours returning home.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” --Colossians 3:16