River Rats Dueling Pianos
Overview
The longest running dueling piano act in Minnesota and the first dueling pianos in Las Vegas.
For people who want to have fun, the River Rats are masters of interactive musical comedy. Jim Steinworth and Cal Spooner bring your requests to life on Steinworth grand pianos. Rock-n-roll Sing-a-long with a side of humor. Audience participation is completely unavoidable as you sing and clap along to great music.
We do Family Friendly shows for corporate, wedding, and civic events.
Ours is a 'G'rated show, not 'PG'.
We save our Wild Bar shows for clubs and comedy rooms.
If your community is hurting after this health crisis consider us for a fundraiser.
Reviews
12 reviews
Doug L.
July 24, 2023Very pleased.
Very pleased with the event.
Hired as: Dueling Pianos
Eric C.
February 13, 2022Wow! Just Wow!
Fantastic show
Worked from start to finish with us and made everything easy
Took a usually boring annual event into next level awesome
Hired as: Dueling Pianos
Scott M.
January 30, 2022These Two were Over the top
The River Rats were very professional, that being said they performed for the crowd and everyone from older to younger enjoyed them. we will for sure have them back. Way to go River Rats you guys Rocked, Scott
Hired as: Dueling Pianos
River Rats Dueling Pianos
Scott,
Can't thank you enough for letting us bring the fun to Valley City :-)
Leah O.
January 21, 2022just ok, a little too out of touch with current music
I guess that I expected better, as I have been to many dueling piano shows, and figured they would somewhat follow suit. But, they didn’t really play to their audience, they were tipped well, but much of the time blew off requests. I wish them well, but would not recommend them
Hired as: Dueling Pianos
Julie H.
December 15, 2021River Rats were a huge hit!
I hired the River Rats Dueling Pianos for our company Christmas party and everyone had a great time!! So many people came up to me on Monday morning after the party and raved about how much fun it was. Even the boss wonders how I'm gonna top this for next year. Thank you River Rats and Jim for making the night a great success and also for the constant communication to ensure everything went so smooth!
Hired as: Dueling Pianos
Booking information
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: Family Friendly!
What to expect
When your guests arrive;
Two Steinworth Grand Pianos, Lights, and Sound are on stage.
Music of your choice is playing in the background.
You may use our wireless microphone for announcements.
You may have us play a ‘dinner’ set of light instrumentals.
Your guests are requesting the songs that make the evening’s show.
We tailor our performance accordingly for the most fun.
Everyone has a great time.
Join in, challenge Jim and Cal as they lead you through the maze of songs put before them. It's interactive improve comedy driven by your requests. Allways spontaneous, this show keeps the whole audience involved.
From quiet dinner music to full out musical mayhem, we do it all!
Real fun for Real People!
About
Jim Steinworth:
After years of Rock-n-roll bands, Jim began doing the ‘Dueling Piano’ act in 1990. He has helped open and performed at clubs around the country. He has also ‘dueled’ in Minor League ballparks, NHL hockey games, and amusement parks.
Jim started playing at age four on the piano in his dad’s after hours basement bar and began lessons at Hamline University under concert pianist James Bonn at age five. Classically trained, he continued later with music theory, piano tuning, voice training, and improv comedy. Jim has perfect pitch, plays by ear, and knows way too many songs.
Cal Spooner:
One of the original River Rats, Cal worked many years in Rock-N-Roll show bands playing guitar, bass, and keyboards. Cal has performed in dueling clubs across the country. He is schooled in comedy, music theory, and is a registered piano technician.
With his broad musical experience and comedic timing, Cal brings lots of fun to the show.
Additional booking notes
We bring two full size Steinworth Grand Pianos and need a 18' x 8' stage area to perform on.
We can bring sound and light systems for up to 800 people.
We always bring the fun.
Past booked events
December 2025
05
Friday
Christmas Party
7:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Austin, MN
04
Thursday
Christmas Party
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
February 2024
03
Saturday
Corporate Event
7:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Watertown, SD
November 2023
18
Saturday
Fundraiser
8:00pm - 11:00pm
•
Montevideo, MN
10
Friday
Corporate Event
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Brookings, SD
October 2023
14
Saturday
Fundraiser
8:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Superior, WI
July 2023
19
Wednesday
Festival
5:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Preston, MN
April 2023
21
Friday
Nonprofit Event
7:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Sioux Falls, SD
February 2023
04
Saturday
Fundraiser
7:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Minneota, MN
February 2022
12
Saturday
Holiday Party
6:00pm - 8:30pm
•
St Peter, MN
January 2022
29
Saturday
Corporate Event
8:00pm - 8:45pm
•
Valley City, ND
14
Friday
Convention/Trade Show
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Bloomington, MN
December 2021
10
Friday
Christmas Party
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
St Croix Falls, WI
February 2020
07
Friday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 11:00pm
•
Waterloo, IA
December 2019
12
Thursday
Christmas Party
6:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Shakopee, MN
06
Friday
Corporate Event
7:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Sartell, MN
July 2019
27
Saturday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 10:00pm
•
White Bear Lake, MN
February 2019
01
Friday
Fundraiser
8:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Wolsey, SD
January 2019
30
Wednesday
Corporate Event
8:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Sioux Falls, SD
24
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Lakeville, MN
24
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Lakeville, MN
January 2018
13
Saturday
Christmas Party
7:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Sergeant Bluff, IA
October 2017
20
Friday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Bloomington, MN
September 2017
16
Saturday
Wedding Reception
8:00pm - 12:00am (Sun)
•
Callaway, MN
March 2017
04
Saturday
Birthday (Adult)
7:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Belle Plaine, MN
December 2016
30
Friday
Holiday Party (Other)
7:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Lake City, MN
09
Friday
Nightclub Event
7:00pm - 11:00pm
•
Sioux Falls, SD
April 2016
23
Saturday
Awards Night
8:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Minot, ND
January 2016
30
Saturday
Holiday Party (Other)
6:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Mankato, MN
February 2015
14
Saturday
Bar/Lounge
8:15pm - 11:45pm
•
Madison Lake, MN
March 2014
06
Thursday
Corporate Event
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
December 2013
29
Sunday
Anniversary Party
12:30pm - 2:30pm
•
White Bear Lake, MN
27
Friday
Fundraiser
9:00pm - 12:30am (Sat)
•
Marcus , IA
Team
Set list
Our live, request driven show does not run on a 'set list'.
Between Jim and Cal, there are hundreds of songs just waiting for you to jog from their vast repertoire of musical mayhem.
Influences and inspiration
The Flying Wallendas. Like them, we work without a net!
Setup requirements
16' x 8' or larger stage