Tuned In: Memoirs of a Piano Man

This memoir by piano tuner, composer, and pianist Wilson details how he achieved his dream career despite a difficult childhood. Drawn to music from the time he got his first guitar at age seven (followed by a used piano), he found it to be key to his gaining self-confidence. In addition to playing gigs in West Texas, where he grew up, he providentially took courses on piano tuning and ultimately built a career as piano technician to the stars, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, Carole King, Dan Fogelberg, Don Cheadle, Ed Begley Jr., Lionel Richie, and Phil Collins. At times, he felt like a drifter in star-studded Los Angeles. Still, his technical expertise helped him transition to the world of computerized music, including his work on the Musical Instrument Digital Interface, which connects keyboard products from different manufacturers and Spectrasonics’ virtual instrument software, Keyscape. He continues to play music himself and has released numerous CDs and starred in two PBS specials.