summersigh Posted January 21, 2016 #1326 Share Posted January 21, 2016 We were on the Sunshine last week and he was in the piano bar. We have been known to book a B2B solely because of the PBE, so this is where we usually hang out. But we could not handle it this time. He goes by Russell Blues and is a great pianist. Singing voice is just OK IMO. The reason we could not hang there too long is the way he does his set and he is rude to the patrons. He plays only slow songs from 9 to 10, then allegedly party music from 10 to 11 and nasty songs after 11. We never were there that late to see. No one who comes in knows HIS agenda so he is constantly telling the crowd that, and anyone who wanders in after 10 and requests a slower song gets reprimanded and told to come back at 9 tomorrow night. I prefer a mix of songs and usually it is what the crowd at the time wants to hear. I could not stand a performer who is going to do it HIS way no matter what. Some times it was full but then people would leave, like us, I suspect for that reason. He was also very vocal about the fact that songs given with money were requests and songs given without money were suggestions. I don't mind tipping and enjoy tipping for good entertainment but I loathe being asked for money between most songs and putting people down because they did not tip. Most people do not carry cash around on the ship because it is not necessary. So, if I had a choice between 2 cruises and he was the PBE in one, I would take my chances with a different PBE. Four songs was all we could take :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaGram Posted January 23, 2016 #1327 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Four songs was all we could take :D I don't think we even made it that long. He is on the list posted here as Russell Vallerin and he works steadily for Carnival and has been there a long time. I thought I was crazy if he was so "good" that they kept him. It is nice to know I am not the only one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcparrothead Posted January 30, 2016 #1328 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I loved Ben Gentry!!! Never thought anyone would beat Marty Gast but he did! Does anyone know about Andrew Sauer on the Magic? Hopefully, he is funny and entertaining! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pesh Posted January 30, 2016 #1329 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I loved Ben Gentry!!! Never thought anyone would beat Marty Gast but he did! Does anyone know about Andrew Sauer on the Magic? Hopefully, he is funny and entertaining! Agree, Ben is the best!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted January 30, 2016 #1330 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Agree, Ben is the best!!! Ben is one of the best. Heard Elizabeth Setzer on Glory recently and really enjoyed her act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWACruiser Posted February 10, 2016 #1331 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We are booked on the Dream during this time period. Has anyone been on a cruise with Russell as the PBE. I would love an honest review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWACruiser Posted February 10, 2016 #1332 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Saw Elizabeth a couple years ago on the Ecstasy. She was fantastic and made the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaGram Posted February 10, 2016 #1333 Share Posted February 10, 2016 We are booked on the Dream during this time period. Has anyone been on a cruise with Russell as the PBE. I would love an honest review. If you scroll up about 4 posts you will find my opinion of him embedded in the post from summersigh. Apparently they agreed with me. If you don't find it let me know and I will tell you but you should be able to see it. very disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divetrash Posted February 10, 2016 #1334 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If you scroll up about 4 posts you will find my opinion of him embedded in the post from summersigh. Apparently they agreed with me. If you don't find it let me know and I will tell you but you should be able to see it. very disappointing. I don't dispute your experience because it is your experience. But I will say that in the 8 years that I've been involved with the Piano Bars, this thread, posting the schedule, admin-ing the Piano Bar-Barian's group, the bad reviews of him are very, very rare. He's been with Carnival for over 10 years, and most everything I've ever read about him has been very positive. Here is a recent sampling from the the Piano Bar-barians group: January 31, 2016 with a video posted by Michelle Helock Kemp: "A little piano bar fun with Russell Agustin Estrada Villarin.... My favorite piano man..." Same day by Roy Duncan: "I've cruised with him twice... He's great" January 29, 2016 by Tracey O'Dea: "Our last cruise we went on the Splendor & loved the Piano Bar & Russell we had so much fun that we went every night. Russell is the most awesome talent both playing & singing. We are going on the Legend in May I hope the Piano bar is good on board the Legend." by Alissa Vandeventer Morgan: "Russell Agustin Estrada Villarin is the best pb entertainer on the entire carnival fleet. That is all." by Sonya Ingersoll-Stille: "We really enjoyed Russell Agustin Estrada Villarin on our last cruise on the Sensation. He is extremely talented and was lots of fun. My only complaint was the acoustics in the actual piano bar, the sound was too loud." In the interest of fair and balanced, this was also posted that day by Art Bryen: "I spent a week on the Sunshine with Russell in November. He is very talented but he doesn't know how to work a piano bar. If he gets 4 requests for the same song and there's some money attached to it he'll play it 4 times. Also he's got a few 'smutty' songs that managed to clear the piano bar out almost every time he played them." I could continue to search and post his reviews , but alas, I am at work. You can search him on this thread or on the Piano Bar-barians on that big social media site that shall not be named. Lots of people love him. So go in and form your own opinion. Happy cruising. Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kokomo_Man Posted February 10, 2016 #1335 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Laura (Divetrash) - Thank you for all that info on Russell (and for all you do for the PB folks.) I was starting to get worried because I'm going to be on the Dream with him in April. (Yeah... I [we] fell in love with New Orleans during the Big Fat Social, so I [we] just have to do it again.) It's good to know from your post that I'll likely be spending a lot of time in the PB on this one too. Kokomo Man Still "Searching for Kokomo" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlisac Posted February 10, 2016 #1336 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Does anybody know who is playing in the piano bar on the breeze we leave on the 20th of this month? Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summersigh Posted February 10, 2016 #1337 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Laura (Divetrash) - Thank you for all that info on Russell (and for all you do for the PB folks.) I was starting to get worried because I'm going to be on the Dream with him in April. (Yeah... I [we] fell in love with New Orleans during the Big Fat Social, so I [we] just have to do it again.) It's good to know from your post that I'll likely be spending a lot of time in the PB on this one too. Kokomo Man Still "Searching for Kokomo" If you love the PB that much ,,, I truly hope your experience is better than ours was on the Sunshine in January. (and not just my opinion but it was the same for everyone we talked to on our cruise that had stopped in):( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncdriver Posted February 10, 2016 #1338 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Anybody know anything about Todd T.C. Fugate? We're suppose to have him on the Dream next week. Any opinions would be great. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divetrash Posted February 10, 2016 #1339 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Does anybody know who is playing in the piano bar on the breeze we leave on the 20th of this month? Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk You will have Ben Gentry, who in my opinion is fantastic. This is the most recent list: *** A note about this list: This list is compiled from reports and reviews of current cruisers and reports from the entertainers themselves. There is no guarantee of accuracy. An actual date usually means that the schedule has been confirmed by either the performer or someone inside Carnival. Schedules are subject to change. Current (ish) list as of 01/21/16 Breeze: Ben Gentry 1/10/2016 - 3/6/2016 Breeze: Scott Lyles 3/10/2015 - 5/1/2016 Breeze: Christine Hetfield 5/1/2016 - 6/26/2016 Christine4082@gmail.com Breeze: Gregg Akkerman 6/26/2016 - 8/21/2016 https://www.facebook.com/pianomangregg Breeze: Russell Augustin Villarin 8/21/2016 - 10/16/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman Breeze: Tony Ward 12/11/16 - 2/5/17 Conquest: Tom Grable 1/9/2016 - 4/24/2016 Conquest: Brad Alexander 4/24/2016 - 5/8/2016 http://www.bradthepianoman.com Conquest: Timothy Jenkins 5/8/2016 - 5/28/2016 Conquest: Milburn Dumas 5/28/2016 - 7/23/2016 Conquest: Jimi Finn 7/23/2016 - 9/17/2016 Dream: Todd "TC" Fugate 2/7/2016 - 4/3/2016 Dream: Russell Augustin Villarin 4/3/2016 - 8/7/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman Dream: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 8/7/2016 - 10/2/2016 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com Ecstasy: Larry Carlton 12/14/2015 - 6/15/2016 Elation: Milburn Dumas 12/3/2015 - 2/1/2016 Elation: Russell Augustin Villarin 2/1/2016 - 4/2/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman Elation: Jorge Ramirez 4/2/2016 - 5/30/2016 Fantasy: Reynold Senn 12/5/2015 - 2/6/2016 Fantasy: Zdrazko "Roddy" Spassov 2/20/2016 - 4/11/2016 Fantasy: Greg Alcock 4/11/2016 - 6/6/2016 Fantasy: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 6/6/2016 - 8/5/2016 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com Fascination: Tony Ward 12/19/2015 - 5/1/2016 Fascination: Michael O'Quinn 5/1/2016 - 6/26/2016 Freedom: Craig Jensen (Quiter) 1/9/2016 - 3/10/2016 Freedom: Ben Gentry 3/10/2016 - 4/2/2016 Freedom: Brad Alexander 7/2/2016 - 7/23/2016 http://www.bradthepianoman.com Freedom: Russell Augustin Villarin 12/17/2016 - 2/11/2017 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman Glory: Scott Casey 11/28/2015 - 1/23/2016 Glory: Natalie Carboni 1/23/2016 - 3/19/2016 https://www.facebook.com/NatalieCarboniMusic/ Glory: Martin Aucoin 3/19/2016 - 5/14/2016 Glory: Hailey Weibe 5/14/2016 - 7/9/2016 Glory: Tom Grable 9/3/2016 - 12/12/2016 Imagination: Michael O'Quinn 1/10/2016 - 3/6/2016 Imagination: Scott Casey 3/6/2016 - 5/1/2016 Inspiration: Barry Meijer 2/5/2016 - 5/27/2016 Inspiration: Reynold Senn 5/27/2016 - 7/22/2016 Legend: Scott Lyles 1/18/2016 - 2/17/2016 Legend: Jimi Finn 2/17/2016 - 4/10/2016 www.jimifinn.com Legend: Todd "TC" Fugate 4/10/2016 - 6/7/2016 Liberty: Hailey Wiebe 1/10/2016 - 3/6/2016 Liberty: Reynold Senn 3/6/2016 - 5/2/2016 Liberty: Mati "The PianoMat" Sanchez 5/2/2016 - 6/27/2016 http://www.facebook.com/ThePianoMat Liberty: Russell Augustin Villarin 10/17/2016 - 12/12/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman Magic: Andrew Sauer 12/13/2015 - 2/21/2016 Magic: Milburn Dumas 3/6/2016 - 4/30/2016 Magic: Tom Grable 4/30/2016 - 8/20/2016 Magic: Elizabeth Setzer 8/20/2016 - 12/10/2016 Magic: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 12/10/2016 - 2/4/2017 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com Miracle: Mark Johnson 1/11/2016 - 2/13/2016 Miracle: Elizabeth Setzer 2/13/2016 - 4/9/2016 Miracle: Patrick Duffy 4/9/2016- 6/4/2016 Miracle: Gregg Akkerman 10/1/2016 - 11/26/2016 https://www.facebook.com/pianomangregg Paradise: Gustavo Garcia 1/14/2016 - 3/10/2016 http://www.facebook.com/GUSTAV.INT Paradise: Gustavo Garcia 4/16/2016 - 6/16/2016 http://www.facebook.com/GUSTAV.INT Pride: Patrick Duffy 1/13/2016 - 2/7/2016 Pride: Rob Crucilla 2/7/2016 - 4/10/2016 Pride: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 4/10/2016 - 6/1/2016 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com Pride: Scott Lyles 6/1/2016 - 7/20/2016 Sensation: Martin Aucoin 12/3/2015 - 2/4/2016 Sensation: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 2/4/2016 - 4/7/2016 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com Sensation: Natalie Carboni 4/7/2016 - 6/2/2016 Spirit: Thomas Listebarger 12/19/2015 - 2/3/2016 Spirit: Lacey Troutman 2/3/2016 - 3/27/2016 Spirit: Stephen Dooks 3/27/2016 - 5/23/2016 Splendor: Ewart Williams 1/17/2016 - 1/31/2016 Splendor: Steven Jaymes 1/31/2016 - 3/6/2016 Splendor: Gregg Akkerman 3/20/2016 - 5/7/2016 Splendor: Zdrazko "Roddy" Spassov 5/7/2016 - 7/2/2016 Sunshine: Russell Augstin Villarin 10/10/2015 - 1/24/2016 http://villarinfamily.wix.com/pinoypianoman Sunshine: Christine Hetfield 1/24/2016 - 3/26/2016 Christine4082@gmail.com Sunshine: John Milligan 3/26/2016 - 5/8/2016 Sunshine: Jimi Finn 5/21/2016 - 7/12/2016 www.jimifinn.com Sunshine: Patrick Duffy 7/12/2016 - 11/5/2016 Triumph: Greg Alcock 12/10/2015 - 2/6/2016 Triumph: Martyn Lucas 2/6/2016 - 3/21/2016 Triumph: Carson Rhodes 4/4/2016 - 6/6/2016 www.carsonrhodes.com. Triumph: Tony Ward 6/6/2016 - 10/6/2016 Triumph: "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter 10/6/2016 - 12/1/2016 http://www.facebook.com/bob.berhalter http://www.pianobarbob.com Valor: Daniel David 1/9/2016 - 2/6/2016 Valor: William Brawner 2/6/2016 - 5/8/2016 Valor: Andrew Sauer 5/8/2016 - 7/16/2018 Victory: Peter Thompson 12/7/2015 - 2/11/2016 Victory: Roger Concepcion 2/11/2016 - 3/6/2016 Victory: Brandon McLean 3/6/2016 - 5/1/2016 Victory: Robert Crucilla 5/1/2016 - 11/6/2016 Vista: Ben Gentry Inaugural through September Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divetrash Posted February 10, 2016 #1340 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If you love the PB that much ,,, I truly hope your experience is better than ours was on the Sunshine in January. (and not just my opinion but it was the same for everyone we talked to on our cruise that had stopped in):( Sometimes people have an off cruise, there may have been other things going on during that cruise. It happens. I have friends that sailed with a particular entertainer that I had heard great things about. They did not enjoy that entertainer at all, nor did many of the other people on that cruise. Found out after the cruise that the entertainer was ill and receiving steroid shots just to be able to show up (calling out sick when you work on a cruise ship is not as simple as a regular job). I have another friend sailing with that entertainer right now and he tells me they rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divetrash Posted February 10, 2016 #1341 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Anybody know anything about Todd T.C. Fugate? We're suppose to have him on the Dream next week. Any opinions would be great. Thanks TC gets lots of great comments over on the Piano Bar-Barians group. He was one of the 4 entertainers,along with Ben Gentry, Marty Gast and "Piano Bar Bob" Berhalter, on the Piano Bar-barians group cruise on the Breeze. From all heard, it was an epic piano bar. I have some friends that adore TC. High energy and interactive and very good skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kokomo_Man Posted February 10, 2016 #1342 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I am indeed hoping for the best. Of course Russell has some very "Big Fat" shoes to fill. Of course I won't hold him to that standard, but I just want him to be entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncdriver Posted February 10, 2016 #1343 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Thanks Divetrash. Looking forward to seeing him perform. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWACruiser Posted February 11, 2016 #1344 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I have been on a cruise with Barry Meijer last August. Most reviews on him were negative. I enjoyed the piano bar when he was playing. His voice was not the best, but he did entertain, and was, IMHO a very talented pianist. (I reserve a spot where I can watch the PBE play). I chatted with Barry during a break to find out he had stressed his vocal cords and was looking forward to a few weeks off to rest them. If I only see negative reviews, i question the PBE's skills. If I see both positive and negative reviews, I will most likely enjoy the time at the PB. If I see only positive reviews, then I wonder if the board is being trolled by friends... Anyhow I am ready to start my second Dream in 74 days. I will form an opinion of the PBE after the cruise and post my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summersigh Posted February 11, 2016 #1345 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Sometimes people have an off cruise, there may have been other things going on during that cruise. It happens. I have friends that sailed with a particular entertainer that I had heard great things about. They did not enjoy that entertainer at all, nor did many of the other people on that cruise. Found out after the cruise that the entertainer was ill and receiving steroid shots just to be able to show up (calling out sick when you work on a cruise ship is not as simple as a regular job). I have another friend sailing with that entertainer right now and he tells me they rock! I truly hope that was the case on our trip for the enjoyment of those that have him next :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jana60 Posted February 11, 2016 #1346 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I am indeed hoping for the best. Of course Russell has some very "Big Fat" shoes to fill. Of course I won't hold him to that standard, but I just want him to be entertaining. I've seen Russell on multiple cruises and he's great! I wish he was still on the triumph for my cruise next week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John F Posted February 11, 2016 #1347 Share Posted February 11, 2016 We will be going on the Glory (April 23rd) with Martin Aucoin preforming in the Piano Bar. We have not heard him in our past cruises. Any feed back on him would be appreciated. Many thanks. John F. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSUKNIGHT Posted February 11, 2016 #1348 Share Posted February 11, 2016 We will be going on the Glory (April 23rd) with Martin Aucoin preforming in the Piano Bar. We have not heard him in our past cruises. Any feed back on him would be appreciated. Many thanks. John F. :) Not too good. Sorry. We had him on Imagination a few years ago and ended up talking to him every night because the piano bar was empty. Nice guy though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summersigh Posted February 11, 2016 #1349 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Has anyone had experience with Jimi Finn in the PB ? He'll be on our Sunshine cruise this spring. (I searched the thread but only saw references to Jimi Finn on the probable calendars) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divetrash Posted February 11, 2016 #1350 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Has anyone had experience with Jimi Finn in the PB ? He'll be on our Sunshine cruise this spring. (I searched the thread but only saw references to Jimi Finn on the probable calendars) :) This was posted back in Feb 2015 over on the Piano Barbarians Group on the social media site that shall not be named... "Jimi Finn...GREAT entertainer! Only his 2nd sailing on a ship. He is going to do well. You are all gonna love him. He had a wide range of music ( from good Old Blue Eyes to Meghan Trainor "All About That Bass"). Kept the crowd involved. Great job Jimi!" She also posted some videos of him too. On that group as well: From September 16, 2015" "We were on Glory last week with Jimi! He was great! Hope to sail with him again soon!" I can't post the videos over here because they were uploaded to that big social media site that this forum does not allow links to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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