When it comes to the concept of dueling pianos, let's get a few things straight for those who aren't familiar.

First, it's not the same as dueling banjos, so leave that comparative joke at the door. Second, just because there are pianos doesn't mean you should expect to make a reservation and sit for a quiet, relaxing evening out while the performer plays some delicate standards to set the mood.

What you can expect is an energetic night of live music, where skilled piano players and musicians take requests from the crowd and occasional jabs at the audience and each other.

"It's just a party pretty much all night long," says Melanie Kowalewski, financial controller and former general manager for Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Bar in Kansas City.

There are a few places in Kansas City where you can check out this concept that continues to grow in popularity - and at least one bar in St. Joe that is willing to give it a shot.

ERNIE BIGGS DUELING PIANO BAR

4115 Mill St., Kansas City, Mo.

(816) 561-BIGG (2444)

This bar may claim to feature "Chicago-style" dueling pianos and was originally founded in Little Rock, Ark., but ever since Ernie Biggs opened up a location in Westport in October 2007, it's become a very lively night spot.

Ms. Kowalewski says that each night, Ernie Biggs features three pianists who rotate between two pianos. But the ivories aren't the only instrument played on a given night. Staff musicians and a few local players stop in sometimes to play trumpet, guitar and drums.

From there, the crowd gives the players written requests for songs they'd like to hear. But don't go up there trying to stump the players with a song from some indie rock band only you and 13 other people have heard of. That's not the idea. According to Ms. Kowalewski. The more popular the song, the better.

"People tend to want to hear what they're used to," she says. "People love to sing. They don't necessarily want to be heard, but they love to sing."

Ms. Kowalewski says that Ernie Biggs is also a popular hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, and the musicians love bring the bride-to-be up on stage for her moment, which could come in the form of a serenade or a comical tune. Other times, they will decide to wing it through a medley of popular patriotic tunes if they've got a room full of servicemen. The players may be on stage, but the audience has plenty of say in the festivities.

"I think that what's appealing about it is that it's really interactive," Ms. Kowalewski says. "There's not set song list or anything that they go by. They play for the crowd."

HOWL AT THE MOON

1334 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

(816) 471-4695

The Power and Light District has gotten a little taste of dueling pianos thanks to the popular dueling piano night club franchise Howl at the Moon. With 14 locations across the U.S., the Chicago-based company opened up a Howl at the Moon in KC in February 2008, and it's been a downtown hot spot ever since.

Jake Gross, general manager of Howl at the Moon, says that while his establishment didn't invent the dueling piano concept, it does try to be the best at it.

Auditions are held at each location to find the best musicians, and the bar features everything from standard instruments like drums, guitar and bass to fiddles, saxophones, talk boxes and, yes, even a keytar.

"The biggest thing that separates us from other piano bars is we have a full staff of musicians in house," Mr. Gross says. "That's pretty much what separates us ... how much we throw at people."

And Mr. Gross says that while you can expect to hear crowd favorites like Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," Billy Joel's "Piano Man" or Elton John's "Rocket Man," the players also can pull off a Top 40 tune from Lady Gaga or a song from a "Saturday Night Live" skit.

"You have to tailor to the younger crowd, so you have to have new music," Mr. Gross says. "That's the idea, to get players that are good enough play practically anything."

ROOM 107

107 N. Sixth St., St. Joseph

233-ROOM (7666)

Room 107 is mainly known for mixing its mix of dance music and live bands. But since it opened back in March, the bar has also gotten some of its own dueling piano nights going.

Room 107 manager Mike "Sumo" Bransfield says that club owner Mike Lieffring wanted to try the concept out in St. Joseph after checking out dueling piano nights in other areas.

So, they got a couple of proficient local musicians to come out and host a dueling piano night a few months back. As Mr. Bransfield recalls, the first one wasn't a flawless production.

"It was pretty much trial by fire," he says. "Everyone was accomplished musicians, but nobody had ever done it before."

Room 107 has hosted four dueling piano nights so far, which have featured a core trio of Colby Walter (guitar), Corey Riley (drums) and Jesse Boley (piano). Other recognizable faces like Rick Allen, Tommy Burnett from Dolewite and Adam Carter also have joined in on the jams.

Mr. Bransfield would like to see dueling piano nights become a monthly thing in St. Joe, serving as a showcase for local talent where the audience can request classic and common tunes to create one big party. At this point, he thinks they are on their way.

"These guys are such good musicians that they can go on the fly," Mr. Bransfield says. "Once it gets really going without a hitch, there's no limit to what these guys are able to pull off."

Lifestyles reporter Blake Hannon can be reached at blakehannon@stjoelive.com