Sue Sitter/PCT Pianist Barron Ryan shares a story about his unique blend of music in Rugby’s Tillman Hovland Auditorium, March 26.

The Heart of America Concert Series brought an eclectic mix of classic and cool tunes to Rugby the evening of March 26 with a performance by pianist Barron Ryan.

The Oklahoma-born artist entertained the local audience in Rugby High School’s Tillman Hovland Auditorium with classic, pop, and even an original rap parody that sparked laughter and applause.

Between songs, Ryan kept the mood lively with witty observations and stories of his childhood and career.

“I know Oklahoma is where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, but we have nothing on you,” Ryan said of North Dakota’s early spring weather. “It was 30 degrees out and there was a guy at the restaurant wearing gym shorts,” he added. “Obviously I’m a tourist.

“I’m playing a program called ‘Classic Meets Cool,’ and you’re probably thinking ‘That’s a catchy title, but I don’t know what it means,’ and that’s exactly the point,” Ryan told the audience.

“When I was launching my performing career about 10 years ago, I thought I’ve listened to a lot of music growing up,” he added. “I listened to classical and was trained in classical music, but I also loved jazz and funk and pop and a little fusion and also rap, even.”

“I thought, ‘I don’t want to pick just one of these categories; I want to play any of them that I think sound interesting or would be interesting to even put together,” he said. “So, I decided that ‘Classic Meets Cool’ would be a way to combine all my interests and be most fun.”

Ryan opened his show with “Carolina Shout” by Fats Waller.

Some of the tunes from Ryan’s piano included ragtime selections by Scott Joplin. Other more recent tunes included “I Want You Back” by the Jackson Five. Classic selections Ryan played included Debussy’s Claire de Lune.

At intermission time, Ryan, who wore a pinstriped suit that fit perfectly with the ragtime and jazz theme said, “As an extra bonus, or maybe this is the main thing – I will be changing my socks. Wait until you see the new ones!”

Ryan used the break to change from a pair of socks with multicolored pinstripes in the first half of the concert to ones dotted with diamond shapes on a gray-green background in the second half.

Some of Ryan’s selections included arrangements he composed after listening to the original artists’ work. He recorded the songs on 11 different tracks, compiling them onto an album he titled, “The Master’s Apprentice.”

“I am their apprentice,” he said. “That includes my father.”

Ryan said he learned the piano early, sitting down to practice for the first time at age 4. Ryan said his father, a music teacher, taught him to play.

He told of his love of music, along with disappointments and opportunities that set him on his life path as a performer.

Ryan said his music can be found on social media. He also publishes and sends a newsletter via email every month to those who join his mailing list.

The performance ended with an original composition by him, a country waltz, to pay tribute to those hospitalized during the global COVID pandemic. The piece, titled, “If I Don’t See You Again,” brought to mind the style of Floyd Cramer.

After the concert, Ryan said, “The people of Rugby have been lovely, and very fun, too. The people setting up and who I’ve worked with have been taking care of me, but have also been delightful people to be around. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

The Heart of America Concert Series continues in April with an accordion and guitar performance by Alex Meixnar on April 23 and a comedy performance by Kenny Ahern.

The series wraps up on May 10 with a performance by the Sons of the Pioneers – Legends of Western Music. All performances will be in Tillman Hovland Auditorium. Each will start at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 776-5443.