A few years back, my girlfriend and I were staying at the historic Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Every morning we'd grab the hotel's complimentary bikes and ride along the causeway for breakfast.
On one of those rides back, we spotted an estate sale at three incredible waterfront homes surrounded by a low cement wall with five private boat slips. We wandered in and quickly realized these weren't ordinary homes—they belonged to the Anheuser-Busch family.
As we walked through the houses, every hallway was covered with black-and-white 4x6 photos of famous guests. We learned that anyone who stayed there was asked to bring a signed photo that would be added to the collection. It was like walking through music and Hollywood history.
Then I found it—a beautiful 1950 Baldwin baby grand piano.
The woman running the estate sale casually mentioned that countless famous musicians had played it over the years. She even told me Steven Tyler had been sitting at that very piano the year before, playing "Dream On."
She asked if I wanted to make an offer, so I threw out a number, never expecting to hear another word about it.
The next day we stopped back because I wanted one more chance to play it. She smiled and said, "If you want it, it's yours." Then she handed my girlfriend the framed photo of Steven Tyler at the piano.
I couldn't believe it.
For about $2,500 to ship it from Florida to Massachusetts, that incredible piece of history became part of my studio.
Today I'm still the proud owner of that 1950 Baldwin baby grand. Every time I sit down to play, I can't help but wonder about all the incredible musicians, artists, and guests who played those same keys before me.
Sometimes the best musical experiences happen when you're simply out riding a bicycle and decide to follow your curiosity. 🎹