Mike Klvana: Synthesizer Tech, Piano Tuner

Ever wonder what it would be like having a 30 plus year career working with Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Rascals, Yanni, Josh Groban, Paul Simon, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young/CSN, Phil Collins, Faith Hill, Carole King, Meatloaf, Blondie, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Foreigner, and dozens more.

Well you don’t have to wonder anymore… just sit back and take a listen to Mike Klavna as he walks us through how it all got started and how he it kept it going. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Mike Klvana’s career grew from music repair into high-level touring work, eventually supporting major artists like Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and the Rolling Stones.
  • Staying open-minded and continuously learning new technology is essential to remain relevant in the changing music industry.
  • Touring demands flexibility and strong problem-solving, especially when dealing with technical issues and last-minute changes.
  • Networking and relationship-building are critical for career growth and for creating a supportive professional community.
  • Mutual respect on a crew matters: Mike highlights working with Ryuichi Sakamoto as a standout example of an artist who valued and treated the crew well.
  • Mike’s reputation is built on reliability, humility, and a willingness to help others; he currently works full-time with Billy Joel and occasionally fills in for artists like Josh Groban and St. Vincent.
  • He’s open to sharing his knowledge in the future through teaching, reflecting a commitment to developing the next generation of industry professionals.