KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Olathe Northwest Senior Max Cooper has been playing the piano for 11 years, but only been going viral on TikTok for the past few months.
Known as @mrpianoman online, Cooper shares videos playing the piano, but not just any type of way. He meshes together all sorts of songs with seamless transitions -- And all by ear.
Cooper’s TikTok account has more than 6.4 million likes, but recently his video showcasing famous sports tunes got the pianist featured on ESPN, SportsCenter and many more sports outlets.
Turn your sound up for this one 😢
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 9, 2020
(via mrpianoman/TikTok) pic.twitter.com/18vMQpfaZ7
The Kansas native puts together March Madness, MLB Opening Day, the 2020 Olympics theme and more.
“As a kid growing up, whenever my Dad was watching sports, I eventually started watching sports with him. I always noticed the themes,” Cooper said. “So I thought this is a time where we don’t really get to hear that stuff right now, because we don’t get to watch sports. So, I was like, ‘Well I’m gonna put down all the sports themes I can remember and just play them on the piano because I know people will enjoy it.’
“I sure didn’t think it would happen (go viral). I didn’t think ESPN would actually like say, 'Yo, can we post your video?'”
Of course, being from a Super Bowl Champion city like Kansas City, Cooper reps his Chiefs shirts in videos to let his viewers know he's proud to call KC home.
“You don’t really see too many people from Kansas make such a big impact on people,” Cooper said. “So, for me, I always wear like Kansas City shirts or Chiefs shirts and stuff to show I’m from Kansas.”
Cooper plans to attend Utah Valley University to major in commercial music and pursue a career in writing music for films. The senior is involved in Jazz Band and Honor Choir at Olathe Northwest. He also was selected to be a part of the Kansas State Choir. But his talents don't stop at singing and playing the piano -- he also can play the drums, guitar and a few more instruments.
Next on his list, Max plans to start blending together videos featuring college fight songs.
