Piano. Airport. Food Court.
We've come to expect live piano playing at Nordstrom ... but an airport? In the Food Court? That's exactly what I experienced in Terminal E of the Atlanta International Airport. Remarkable!
RSS Readers ... watch video here
UPDATED: The pianist in the video, Michael B, received the Hartsfield-Jackson Customer Service Recognition Award last year for helping to soothe the travel weary with his food court piano playing. Learn more about Michael B on his website.
Great video, and great post.
The problem stopping this is always the ROI. If airports are government-owned, it can be difficult for them to justify (and measure) the ROI of live music. If the airport is private owned, it takes a few brave souls, like those in your video, to lead the way.
Posted by: Richard Millington | April 19, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Astonishing that he's there in the first place, but to win a customer service award shows that *someone* gets it.
Posted by: Joel D Canfield | April 19, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I remember seeing him a few years ago and had two thoughts: First, how cool it was to have a pianist in the food court. That's a "purple cow" kind of idea. Second, thinking how impressed I was at his skill. Being a pianist myself, his talent was impressive.
Posted by: Paul Chaney | April 19, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Similar reaction when I stopped at a McDonalds near Des Moines off I-80. They didn't have a live person at the keys: instead they had an automatic player-piano programmed with Christmas songs.
It was so out of place - and yet just beautiful to the ears.
We had no intention of stopping - just to use the restrooms and grab a few Happy Meals for the kids. But the music was so soothing - we stayed for a half-hour and my wife and I even ordered something.
Every year - when we head out in the "family truckster," we stop at this McDonalds just east of Des Moines. It's the only stop we make at McDonalds on the road.
It is now a family tradition.
Posted by: Bob Walker | April 20, 2008 at 07:05 PM
It is very nice to have the live music but as stated the live music is hard ROI to justify.
As hard as it may seem airports work hard at customer service and would like to do many programs like this but can not afford the cost. Our company does work to help airports find corporate sponsors for this type of program but then people feel they have sold out if they are sponsored.
Being in the airport industry I am surprised to see this in ATL since they are not traditionally on the fore front for these types of programs.
Posted by: Galen Weaver | April 22, 2008 at 03:58 PM
This is great marketing. While in an airport we are a captive audience looking for anything to hold our attention until that boarding call. This would definitely be a welcome addition and i would not be able to resist making a purchase and indulging.
Posted by: sean s | April 23, 2008 at 03:05 AM
Over the holidays, I took an early morning flight. Nothing but the newsstands were open, but approaching my terminal I could hear music. There at 5:00am in the SEA airport were carolers dressed in period clothing. 5:00 am! What an unexpected surprise during a typically stressful time of year.
Posted by: Traca | April 23, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Bringing music to the world is one of the highest pursuits that one can follow. I can only imagine in what condition that piano must be!
Posted by: Eben Goresko | August 01, 2008 at 10:03 PM