Raggin' Piano Boogie

HIS SPIRIT LIVES ON! ... BONER, THE PIANO DOG ... November 27, 1994 ... February 20, 2010

Use the links to the left to read a past Month or Year... and then there is always your Backspace to return to a past page.
The Traveling Piano's Final Fundraiser Spotfund - Venmo: Dan Kean @TravelingPiano 2156399378 - PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano - CashApp: $travelingpiano - Contribution Page - Email me for snail mail.

May 31, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

THE FINAL TRAVELING PIANO FUNDRAISER The goal? To end on a high note this present chapter of an amazing Traveling Piano musical life journey while easing on down the road with total gratitude and appreciation for everything life has offered. Your help is needed to reach the forty year mark of Bringing the Beat to the Street. Please join through financial support to create a send off to end all send offs!

The Traveling Piano's Final Fundraiser Spotfund - Venmo: Dan Kean @TravelingPiano 2156399378 - PayPal Me for the Traveling Piano - CashApp: $travelingpiano - Contribution Page - Email me for snail mail.

May 30, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

From the start in 1987 Piano Man Danny Kean, that would be me, I have worked with a piano in the back of the same truck along with two pups, Bo-ner who stayed with me for over 15 years and now Mo who has also passed his own 15 year mark in age. My two pups have served as faithful companions while hanging out on top of the Traveling Piano and giving comforting joy to everyone they meet. Concerning age, in July of 2025 I will turn seventy years old! Ahh... time rolls on.

May 29, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

If we can keep going until the year 2027, that would make 40 years of full time work from the same pickup truck with a piano in the back. This, after having traveled the entire northern American hemisphere non-stop for ten of those years. The first 20 years with the Traveling Piano were all about money through contracted, paid for musical engagements. The truck was used as a performance vehicle for parades and large events, booked full time twelve months a year. Philadelphia, PA was home base. There was practically no travel.

May 28, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

The second 20 years has been without fees, tips, commercial or organizational affiliation. Bills have been paid through the sale of my home and random support through contribution over the years. After having taken to the road, the Traveling Piano traveled throughout the northern hemisphere with an agenda of much more than just music. My own improvisational music became a vehicle for short one-on-one relationships with others. The idea of strangers becoming less afraid of each other has always been part of the Traveling Piano mission. The unconditional nature for relationship without agenda, for no pay back, this has been the bridge to trust.

May 27, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

To date there has been over 100,000 one-on-one personal and intimate encounters with people from all walks of life on the Traveling Piano. Everyone takes a seat at the piano for themselves to create music, especially if they have never before played on a piano, do not think they can play or have been psychologically damaged from music lessons. People are empowered and inspired resulting in musical freedom of spirit every time.

May 26, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Traveling Piano is discovered by individuals through synchronicity and spontaneity. This may happen on a mountain top, in an urban alley or most specifically where support is needed. That would be in a communities homeless area, after natural disasters or where mass gun violence has occurred. There is no way that I would still be doing the work I do after all of this time and without personal financial profit if there was no worth for me. My payoff has been in a spiritual sense of human connection that cannot be measured in a financial sense. The rewards have been tenfold. But of course we all need money to survive.

May 25, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Traveling Piano has a ferocious social conscience and now lends support through music in any way possible to fight fascism and for those being ripped away from their families as a result of illegal deportation. Through Musical Fun, Friendship and Respect my purpose in life creates validation and reassurance for the worth of humanity. Life's worth comes through inclusion and the celebration of diversity. The Traveling Piano also helps to feed and clothe the homeless, those mentally ill, lost, rejected from society and drug addicted who are on the streets trying to survive. But most importantly, the Traveling Piano's music without question helps to sooth the desperate beast in all of us.

May 24, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

With this fundraiser I hope to raise enough money to reach the forty year mark first and foremost. The Traveling Piano truck desperately needs a rebuild in a structural sense. I plan to continue reaching out to backers to endow the Traveling Piano for future generations. Funding for a book, the publishing of my improvisational music, production for a movie, a few large scale projects have always been in my minds eye. In any case, 100% of funds collected go directly into the resources needed to continue onward. The Traveling Piano supports our world in every sense.

Whether it be through the sharing of nature photos on social media, or music that soothes the soul and heals or the giving of comfort one-on-one in person or standing to witness to injustice as a force for good. We all need as much love as we can possibly get right now. Lets make it to forty years together and then I'll be done. Please share this message, encourage others to donate. Personally, please give as generously as possible again and again... thanks! p.s. The Traveling Piano Journey can prove all claims as it has been blogged everyday since 2006.

May 23, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

So now with the Traveling Piano Gallery gone I need to shift to something else. Seeing as my life is about to crash a burn, it is time to reboot for one very last ever, fundraiser. When all the money is used up I will in fact crash and burn with this journey. I'll be reaching out to everyone I have contact information for and for the next few months with it being to hot to go outside and with no ability to travel to a cooler area, most of my time will be spent fundraising... lol, at the worst possible time for society as trump and republicans completely fuck up the economy and create nothing but fear concerning money and spending it or giving it away.

May 22, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

I'd like to keep this Traveling Piano Journey going to reach the forty year mark with the same truck I've used since day one. 2027 will be the forty year mark but that not happen without the financial support needed. My contributors, the few that there are, not large amounts, they have been dropping off. As the world tightens up and billionaires take whatever most people have for themselves with blatant greed... as people are distracted with the horrors, chaos and everything else not good happening to us all I think, maybe I should go after the money morons for contribution and then I remember those types have never contributed to begin with.

May 21, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Feel good natural hormones are crucial for my survival more than ever. So I want to remind myself here about my bodies chemicals. It is time to increase my Oxcitosin. This is a hormone in my body related to feeling good and it is full of love, trust and friendship. It creates an intense feeling of safety that someone has my back. Physical touch like hugging and shaking hands helps to create it. Human bonds, acts of human generosity and giving of time without expectation of anything in return creates it. Small acts of generosity, sacrifice, doing little things for people creates it as does taking little risks. You can not have too much of Oxcitosin. My body is trying to get me to repeat behaviors that are in my best interests. When I see and do acts of generosity, Oxcitosin is released so that I will do more to make myself feel good and be more healthy.

May 20, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Feel good natural hormones are crucial for my survival more than ever. So I want to remind myself here about my bodies chemicals. The more Oxcitosin I generate the more I will want. The effects of Oxcitosin are closely related to cognitive thinking and so it helps to increase problem solving and creativity. It is not directly related to memory or decision making nor does it control all aspects of emotional regulation. Oxcitosin is not a cure for mental health disorders but can stave off anxiety and depression. It is most effective in childbirth, lactation, and for social bonding. Lots of oxcitosin in my body inhibits addiction, boosts the immune system, makes me healthier which is why happy people live longer. It is not addictive, just feels great. Oxcitosin takes time to build up in our systems.

May 19, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Feel good natural hormones are crucial for my survival more than ever. Endorphins are natural chemicals produced in my brain that help relieve pain and reduce stress. They are often referred to as "feel-good" hormones and are released during activities like exercise, laughter and even eating. Endorphins promote a sense of well-being. Another hormone in the body, a neurotransmitter called Dopamine gives me a boost to the brain when I get enough sleep, pray and practice meditation. It helps regulate feelings of pleasure and satisfaction, influencing behaviors and bodily functions such as learning and memory. It relates to accomplishment and focus on goals. It is highly addictive. Things I crave set off Dopamine. Serotonin, another chemical neurotransmitter plays a crucial role in the functioning of the intestines. 90% of my Serotonin is found in my gut. It plays a key role in stabilizing my mood and promotes feelings of well-being.

May 18, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Concerning the chemicals and hormones in my system, I must find every way to keep myself going. I must use every tool and perspective, all the knowledge I can muster in my tool box. Having too much cortisol in my system, this is a hormone designed to keep me alive with first stage fight or flight. I can become hyper attuned to look for danger through it. Cortisol injects glucose, increases my heart rate, is meant to be in and then gone. It can create an environment of not feeling safe. It shuts down non-essential systems of use... that of physical growth, the immune system. It makes us all self-interested with paranoia and inhibits Oxcitosin to become less empathetic, less generous. We do not care about anybody because we are too worried about taking care of ourselves. It has its purpose in the natural rhlem of life. The natural balance with chemicals in my system it totally important. This is why I stay away from as many drugs as possible. Natural is the way for me.

May 17, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

My physical, mental and emotional capacity to go after Traveling Piano funding myself is dwindling to almost nothing. I do not feel the inspiration and/or self empowerment or worth with my present limitations. But, as far as myself leaving this world... no problem I've no time set to reach. When it is over it is over. I feel completely fulfilled in life. That happened many years ago and I remember the very moment of realization. It was after Bo had passed, I was hiking in Glacier Park, Montana by myself while standing on top of the world. With all that, I do know I must push forward and just keep going.

Presently, Mo... I want for him to stay alive for as long as possible. He has already surpassed my original wish of fifteen. His back legs become weaker daily. He lost the ability his ability to climb the stairs last night for the first time. I know he is a little freaked out by it and his lack of ability to move around as desired, to explore and do what he wants but at the same time he also knows I am right here to help him in any way needed and that our total commitment to each other and our love remains. Still, he knows he's losing his ability to function in life.

May 16, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

With Mo losing his ability to stand up on his own from his laying down position on the floor, I can see he is disappointed in the way he looks at me. He has always been a dog on the move never stopping and always running everywhere to see what he can discover. I used to compare him to a bull in a china closet. His time here on earth is coming to a close and I feel very alone in that fact. Everyone else I know is having their own deep personal issues with death and with everything else going on in the world. I just cannot burden them with my grief. No matter how much I prepare, that grief will be deep, I hope I can live through it. The challenge is not to bring it on while there is still time to enjoy our being alive together. I do not want to waste the joy right now in the present moment. I've been through several near death experiences with Mo. With the practice I have had, one would think I'd be ok with this last, final time period.

May 15, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

As a spiritual being I have found that Religion attempted to mold me into a societal perspective while sculpting my domain of feelings away from my individual spirituality. It did this while claiming spiritual superiority for itself. I now work to acknowledge what has preceded the indoctrinated understanding of my life, because therein lies the history of conflict, loneliness, confusion, hatred and separation from ourselves and God. If I make peace with my past emotions then I will have the capacity to live up to my moral obligation to seek joy.

May 14, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

While we still can concerning the heat, Mo and I parked at a popular intersection around the corner from where we live on Las Vegas Boulevard at Charleston Boulevard. There were not many people walking around or in the high rises a few blocks away who usually open their balcony doors. The energy all around us was kind of weird and disjointed. Maybe that was just in my own brain but for the most part people ignored us and that was fine with me. I was able to play the music super loud so I know it was heard for a quarter mile in circumference. It felt good. Even though it was not too long a time playing, it was exhausting to do.

May 13, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

As I mature, I am realizing that allowing individuals to identify as a group is a cop out. Constantly I call people out online telling them to take responsibility for themselves as individuals and to respect others as individuals. For example, when calling out Christianity in a general way, that is just so wrong as there are so many kinds of Christianity and every Christian pulls what they want from their specific chosen form. There is a difference between a Zionistic Israeli verses a Democratic oriented Israeli. The same goes for Americans. Some are fascist republicans, some are democratic socialists and there are many in between. It drives me crazy when foreigners apply all Americans to one criticism.

May 12, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

We stopped to visit our friend Trudy while she was giving out resources in the homeless corridor of the city and of course shared the Traveling Piano. It was as windy as it can get. There was a 12th step meeting there and so I attended my first in a long while. Some of the members came over and got on the piano to play. As I get older people are looking more and more different. When I was younger I used to observe older people and how they looked and acted different from people around my age and it was not because of their age it was because of the difference in time periods of life. In the fifties it was total Leave it to Beaver television show uniform and squeaky clean. Now it is total grunge. I liked it a lot better somewhere in between.

May 11, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

As false information confuses the world more and more there is a simple answer for me as to how to decipher the truth. I ask myself, are the facts presented meant to include everyone, are they giving, accepting of differences, do they care for humankind as one, are they without personal judgement, is trust and faith involved? Some people will say everything has judgement, it must. If that is so, the only judgement that works in life, I just stated above. Everything else is false and half measures will avail nothing. This is the truth.

Every individual person has total control of the truth. No one, nothing can take that away but, it does take effort to "remember to remember" or I will lose my truth. Some people do not want to know the truth, cannot handle the truth, want to destroy the truth, push it away. Some live through the stimulation of fear. Those who desire the knowing of peace, love, trust cannot have it through fear. Love rules the world, always has, always will and it rules through both illusions, fear and reality.

May 10, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

On my Mind... blessed are those with empathy and compassion for humanity enough to choose life in the truth of spirit over weapons used to kill, tools of the devil. Criminalizing homelessness just makes people criminals. When we participate we nourish the soul. You must have intention in order to step inside yourself. Grief is the price we pay for love. We must shout kindness, shout compassion, shout justice.

Stand up with your most generous and optimistic best! I work to lead my life with qualities of self-possession, integrity and vision. We all dance with the devil and have little choice in choosing the enemy with options in life. We learn to pic your battles.. Just be clear, honest and open minded to what the battles are, the truth of spirit about it and do the best you can. Living in denial or defending the devil about it all is the worst you can do.

May 09, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

I felt compelled to go create music for a short while. Mo and I hid behind a wall in a large empty parking lot around the corner from our place where there was shade. I was feeling scuzzy as I had not taken a shower so interacting with people was not on the agenda. Although, on some level I was jonsin' to interact with people. The sun was setting. People walking down the street could hear the music from a half mile away at the Stratosphere Casino. Two guys visiting Las Vegas found us in total awe of the synchronistic discovery. One guy lives where Mo came from, in a small West Virginia town called Berkeley Springs. It was a home base for this journey for about eight years. The other guy was from Richmond Virginia where I had my first overnight gig with the Traveling Piano back in 1989. Small world, eh? I played music for about a half hour and interacted with them for about 15 minutes. That knocked the energy out of both Mo and I.

May 08, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

There has been a growing urge from within to paint and draw. I think, what do I want to draw and why? And then I think, whatever needs to come from within. And then I think, you better get the materials to use before they disappear with all the tariff shit going on. After that my mind goes to intent and the idea of keeping it simple. Then, selling my artwork comes to mind. In keeping it simple the idea of one word to communicate and the feeling about it comes to mind. Maybe a visual of one simple item and the feeling from that. This would be a start. When I journal, I am having a conversation with myself, my soul, my intent from within. I've tried to stay with all that concerning this blog. Of course I also at the same time thinking in terms of "all," for the good of all, always. That intent, I constantly strive to remember and manifest. Do you believe in the concept of... for the good of all?

May 07, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

The fact that untruths are taking over people's minds and the world, this means nothing. The only thing that matters is personal mind and spirit. This, along with the fact that we are all connected as one. As confusion and chaos ensues we all have only one place to run away to, and that is inside. Running inside to who we really are in spirit, this is a good thing. It is the only truth, the only reality. Then we must bring that truth into the world. I am realizing that when I am angry with people I have become lost in spirit, am angry with myself. If I truly believe we are all one... I must get honest with that fact and through humility I must forgive myself for the separation I am creating from spirit. Realize the truth. It is not possible to hate others while loving myself, if we are all one. This is all about practice.

May 06, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

It has been a dilemma to create awareness about my "brand" and at the same time getting financial support to continue with it. Hardly anyone ever extends themselves to include the Traveling Piano as either a potential business contributor, as a neighbor, or to support or acknowledge my contribution and desire to be part of the community in order to help support it. It is not like I have not inserted myself into the fold both for the neighborhood watch, the city in general, helping neighbors in unfortunate circumstances and to support business over the years.

I've not been invited to one event as a guest that would help me. Now to use me and my services lol, everyone is game. Every fundraiser I've had, it has been like pulling teeth to get contribution from business. They all know and respect me but to turn that into a donation, no luck. They have no clue that if they donated it would be returned ten fold. That is how have always worked. They all see my value and appreciate it as long as they do not need to contribute to it.

May 05, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

It rained today and then the sun came out. The air is very cool and humid, rare for Las Vegas. It is different and totally pleasant. I am laying low and taking it easy as instructed concerning my teeth. I had an extraction today. There was a tooth bridge which no longer exists. There is no longer anything on the left side of my mouth in the back to chew with. My insurance will cover nothing more than the extraction. And now, with our social system being dismantled by trump, the medicaid and medicare for those that cannot afford to pay for medical costs is being taken away. It would cost $6,000 to repair my teeth and thats not with implants. What a bad joke.

I am so fucking angry at the trump supporters who have empowered the complete destruction of American society. As republicans and those alike take way, steal from all of society for self-centered gain and show pleasure for, justify, rationalize the suffering, death, inequality and everything that has made the USA great for the last 250 years, wow I am just so pissed. The experiment of social democracy partnered with capitalism has failed. It is what it is, not that I need to accept that. I will continue to work within the framework of the original American Constitution for my life.

May 04, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

I rarely if ever feel depressed but also do not block out the sadness and despair that flows through life. I also feel distraught but that spins into action, thank God. Every time I stand up for an ideal, or create an act to improve the lot of others, or strike out against injustice, I send forth a tiny ripple of hope. Especially now with AI I need to keep a clear and keen awareness not to become gaslit through indoctrination where I am taught that I cannot question, cannot criticize, cannot admit wrong doing. As people accept duplicity more and more, the diminishment of integrity, lack of accountability flourishes and as republicans have drawn out my hate I must be careful that I do not become mentally ill as a result.

May 03, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

The world has changed since I was young. Ha, I did just say that. Yes, I am old I guess. In being about one-on-one relationship and contribution and contribution to society, I see all that as a responsibility. Of course I could choose to be a monk or just totally focus on the Traveling Piano. But I always feel a strong nudge from within my soul to do more and I enjoy the earthly pleasures that society provides too much to not take part in them. I care about friends, family, neighbors and communities. (thats society) I cannot have an opinion about my communities role in my life if I do not participate in the decisions my society makes. Those who I confront about social issues say just stick to the music. They want to think of me as one dimensional, put me in a box because... they are one dimensional and in a box of their own, a really shitty box at that.

May 02, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Yesterday I went to help my friend Trudy distribute food and resources for the homeless for a May Day event in the homeless corridor. It was for a service complex that I have little experience with so I wanted to feel it out first before I shared the Traveling Piano there. It was too hot anyway but... I met a volunteer spending her 50th birthday in service for those on the street so I had to give her a Traveling Piano moment! After getting home a bridge holding four teeth together feel out. I can hardly chew food anymore. With the government insurance I have, the co-pay would be $6,000 to replace it. Coming to grips with the fact that my life is getting near the end now at seventy years of age... it is all about acceptance and enjoying what there is while losing it all at the same time. Chewing crunchy food has always been a joy in life. Time to let go of that.

May 01, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

I have been derelict concerning my blog entries for the last two months. For the first time since 2006 I have gone off the rails. There are many reasons. Dealing with the Traveling Piano Fundraising Photo Gallery and its start and end was a shift for me in several directions. Seeing the same people everyday and working in an environment with them specifically the meth addicts living on the street was a no, go. Not only did they steal from me after years of service for them (no surprise, its the nature of the animal) there was just a lot of immaturity all around with kids working in the same space which as a bar and club and I am too old for that. Doing it all on my own physically was just too much in mind, body and spirit.

The politics of the world must be addressed every day because the end of the world in of itself is at stake for so many. When I fill in the blank days of this blogs last two months, most of it will be political. This is my journey, it is what it is. The music of it and my life has been playing out in different ways now. The heat... Mo can no longer be on top of the piano once the temperature reaches eighty. As a super old pup, he can hardly deal with it at any temperature now. For myself, 80 degrees now feels like 90. Add any humidity to that and forget the idea of functioning. Although, with the photo gallery, was a great spot had I been able to handle it. The heat would have ended it no matter what.