We recently connected with William Rowland and have shared our conversation below.

William, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I attended an event at the local organ club where an organist was playing an accompaniment to an old silent movie. I realized that I had the chops to do that too, so I ordered some videos of movies and started in.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Started my career in 1968 as a radio announcer, quit to become organist for an evangelist, wife and kids traveling around the country, then learned the trade of piano tuner/technician and started second career servicing pianos in 1974. Went back to college in mid-80s when I discovered a talent for computer programming, graduated and spent the next thirty years coding programs in corporate cubicles while servicing pianos on the side. Now retired from computing and continuing to tune and repair pianos, also providing programs for elderly residential facilities playing piano and accompanying silent movies. Began the “Second Saturday Silents at the Circle Cinema” in Tulsa in 2015 on the vintage pipe organ, restored from the original instrument installed in the theatre in 1928.

I also compose music, and am a published composer of piano solos, anthems for church choir, and arrangements for brass ensembles.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As a piano tuner/technician, I have learned that you cannot become a piano technician very easily these days, the opportunities that I enjoyed fifty years ago have diminished or vanished entirely.

As a silent movie accompanist, there are opportunities in this career, though it makes a better hobby than a profession. Also, I cannot recommend a career path for someone unless that individual possesses the fairly unique talent for playing keyboard music improvisationally. Also, there is the problem of finding suitable venues.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As a piano tuner, I pivoted to getting a college degree in Computer Information Science that allowed me to better our standard of living and build a retirement.

Contact Info:

• Website: ragtimebill.com

Image Credits
Linda Rowland