BANNERS - Someone To You (Piano/Cello Cover) The Piano Guys

FPV Drone Pilot: Blastr
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Story behind the music video:

[Steven #, the cellist, here]
So as you might have guessed, we haven’t been touring lately. It’s safe to say that Covid has thrown us for a “loop.” In nothing short of a miracle, last year, before the pandemic showed up, we had determined as a group to take our first break from touring in 10 years and focus on family during 2020. It might have been the first time our plans actually matched up with our reality.

We love performing. Touring can be grueling. I dread the inevitable tour-induced insomnia. During a recent tour I was determined to make something of my sleeplessness. My friend Devin, who works in an international ancestry research company, inspired me to dig into my family history. With his help, I found a slew of stories -- profound stories of my great great grandfathers and grandmothers and how they overcame an impossible past to make our family’s future possible. In my insomnia, during many late nights on tour, I summarized and rewrote these incredible accounts in first person addressed to my children, so that I could read them as our bedtime stories. That way, my children’s heroes would be their ancestors -- their own kin. The lesson we could learn together was this:

If THEY could do hard things then WE can do hard things too.

Resilience is inheritable.

What does this have to do with this video? Everything.

In this music video, we sped through an eerily empty natural history museum and a public library -- something we could only do during Covid. Why? To prove the same point and send the same message asserted in these bedtime stories. We have grand places like these that you see in this video all throughout our world. They are monuments to human resilience. They house exhibits and shelve books upon books of biographical buoyancy. They showcase hard-earned scientific scenes that serve as the shoulders upon which we stand today -- evidence written into the very fabric of our earth’s crust of how hard things are what we do. We’re built for them. We’re made for them.

And all those that have gone before cry out to us -- wanting to mean something to someone. To be someone to us.

Someone to You.

It’s not as much about WHAT is in our past, but WHO is in our past. Our ancestors stand ennobled by their own grit and perseverance earned through things much harder than what we face, not only to inform our future, but also to endow us with much needed strength for whatever is ahead. They’ve earned our respect, gratitude and our commitment to overcome.

“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.”
-Russell M. Nelson

If you’ve read this far into the description, you are truly resilient! :-) Post a comment about someone in your family history that you admire.

If you want to find out more about your own family history, try this link (it’s where I started).
(this video is not sponsored by this website or its company, we only provide it in an attempt to be helpful)

Credits

Someone to You written by Michael Joseph Nelson as performed by Banners
Arrangement written by Al van der Beek & Steven Sharp Nelson
Performed by
Jon Schmidt: Piano
Steven Sharp Nelson: Acoustic & electric cello, piano, cello percussion
Al van der Beek: Percussion, piano, vocal textures
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Al van der Beek at TPG Studios in Utah
Video Produced, filmed & edited by Paul Anderson & Shaye Scott
Production manager: Craig Knudsen
Production team and piano moving: Frank Nelson & Jeremy Crawford
Behind the Scenes: Sean Pullan

Special thanks to the noble curators of our history -- the people who made this video possible:

Jason Cryan, Abby Curran, and Beth Mitchell with the The Natural History Museum of Utah, located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake City Public Library. The Main Library, along with its seven neighborhood branches, proudly serves our community, where over 86% of residents have Library cards.
Special thanks to Elizabeth King and Courtney Stahl

[RogerHale]

Dear Piano Guys, thank you for smiling when you play your music. I know that not every day as a professional musician is bliss, but I do know that you’re efforts have raised my spirits many times over the years. I teach music at Dixie State University and really enjoyed your video you filmed recently on our campus. Thanks for all you give.

[randomrandom]

This channel is a big reason why I started playing cello

[andreamcelravy]

Four years ago we heard you live at the National Theatre in DC and were blown away! Such style, grace and absolute talent...your love of God and your telling of His life in your life was so refreshing and uplifting. Our father was to attend the concert with the 12 of us as a Christmas gift but daddy passed away that November. We gave the ticket to our nephew Nicholas, a music lover, too. Two years ago Nicholas took his life. Both of these beautiful people will live forever in our hearts! Your music, your radiating love of your music, your joy in sharing these gifts with the world touch our hearts and put a fire in our spirit. Thank you!

[KR-mskm]

As a nurse in Germany I live in lock down as many others, working as hard as I can like countless other people do. Sitting on my sofa at a dark grey December afternoon, I encountered your song and video - and got totally energized!! Thank you for your music!! And thank you for sharing it as an open source for those, who couldn´t encounter or be able to afford it otherwhise! I will buy one of your albums immediately!! Thanks and blessings to you all!!

[caseyf]

They say a person's final death comes the last time someone says their name. Remember those who went before, and reach out (safely) to those you know now.

My daughters are the most resilient people I know - as military kids, they had to be. And yet with other hiccups and hardships they have dealt with, they have still become two of the strongest adults I know.

Thank you as always, Piano Guys. We have seen two of your concerts, and the second one came fairly shortly after my mother died and after Jon's daughter died - watching him still able to play and have joy, reminded me "It's Gonna Be Ok". Something inside began to heal that night. Your music heals, guys.

[shandelor]

Piano Guys is one of those channels you come back every now and then, but every time you come back, you can't help but smile. Brilliant!

[hannahangeladelacruz]

Someone I admire is my grandmother. I never knew her (she died long before I was born), but she sounds awesome from what people tell me. I hear stories of how she helped people (not just my family) migrate to the US from the Philippines and about how she was a godly person who used to wake up every morning and pray first thing. My mom would tell me how her mom would always tell her to work hard so she wouldn’t have a hard life in the Philippines and to always trust God and do her best for God’s glory. My mom worked hard and moved to the US and became a clinical director at her workplace. Today, my mom gives me the same advice that her mom gave her so many years ago. “Anak (my child), work hard, help people, trust God, and do your best for God’s glory and God will do the rest.” Even though I never personally knew my grandmother, I know that one day I will finally meet her in Heaven and thank her for being a positive influence and role model she’s been for the people around her, especially for my mom.

P.S. - I saw a mini clip of this video on Instagram but seeing the whole thing, reading the description, and writing about my grandma made me cry. You guys are awesome! I heard about you guys about 6 years ago from my piano teacher (who’s also a huge fan). I’ve loved your guys’ music ever since. Keep doing what you do! You inspire people every day :)

[vancefloyd]

Never thought that just a piano and cello could do so much together, have loved you guys since I first watched "This Is your Fight Song"

[Evanlyn]

Someone who will impact me for the rest of my life is my grandfather. He passed earlier this week. I've been learning more about his life. He was the head of the family. He left a righteous legacy that I want to follow. Things were tough for him throughout his life. In the end, he couldn't speak or do anything for himself. But he never stopped being sweet and loving. I think that is a result of living a life full of gratitude and love. I never want to forget that.

[ajparadise]

I read the description...
My great-grandma is my hero because she was really kind and even though all the hard things she went through she always thought of others first. She died 4 years ago, when I was nine, at the age of 94.
I do not remember much about her because when I was old enough to remember stuff she was sick and could not do much. One of the only things I remember is that we would go to get house and get ice cream, even if it was winter and snowing outside. If she ran out of ice cream she would close the curtains so that people would not come hoping for ice cream. She was an amazing person and we have her favorite food, sloppy joes, every year on her birthday every year to honor her. I am proud to have her name.


If you read this, thank you, now please go read the description if you have not already.

[elizabethg.]

This season I’m thankful for the talents of all of the Piano Guys! Exceptional drone piloting! I admire my great great grandmother- she was half Cherokee Indian. She battled prejudices to raise her children in the Deep South. 🧡

[asrich]

I really needed this today. I lost the person who taught me the most about the true meaning of music today. So this was really bittersweet for me

[nancyoshea]

Great new video - thank you! My mom. She was an accomplished pianist and organist. She taught me to play piano and read music, she arranged for me to take classical voice lessons, and eventually I earned a BA in vocal performance. At the age of 37 Mom went back to college to earn a Music/English/Theatre degree, and succeeded. At the age of 42 she was diagnosed with breast cancer which had already entered the bones throughout her body. At the same time, she went back to college *again* to earn a teacher’s credential. We even had a few music courses together at the University! She did receive her teaching credential and even while she was teaching, she was taking chemotherapy - this was back in the seventies when cancer treatments were even more brutal than they are now. At age 47 Mom passed away, and even though I had taken leave from college studies to help care for her, Mom and her example was the inspiration for me to go back to finish my degree and perform my first solo recital, only a year after she died. So thankful for her encouragement, example and love.

[Cruithear]

This video hit close to my heart (and pacemaker). Aside from the gorgeous shot of the sun streaming in through the windows and the sweeping, Matrix-esque shot of the dinosaur skeletons at 1:12, it reminds me of my dad. He works at the Smithsonian as an entomologist, which is why this video's setting reminds me how lucky I am that the "who" in my past is actually still in my present, where I can appreciate him while he's still alive. He took me to the Galapagos right before the pandemic hit, and one of the greatest marvels there was witnessing that 70-year-old nerd spend two weeks hiking, snorkeling, and bearing long flights without throwing his back out once. He was also diagnosed with Asperger's late in life and told me how much of a relief it was to hear that diagnosis: "I've wondered my whole life why I can't be 'normal' like everyone else. Well, it turns out it's because I'm not!" He is my testimony to scientific curiosity, freedom of thought, and human resilience. <3

[kamiejames]

"And all those that have gone before cry out to us -- wanting to mean something to someone. To be someone to us.

Someone to You"

Thank you for using your talents and gifts to bring inspirational music and messages to the world! May we all use our unique gifts to lift, bless, and strengthen others!

[Gryfont]

What I like best about these videos is the sheer joy you have sharing this music with us. It is evident in every note. I wanted to share a story about my Grandfather, born here only two months after my Great Grandparents arrived in this country through Ellis island. Grandpa only went to school through the 8th grade, he had to start to work at this point. But he keep going, and his son, my father did too, finishing high school, joing the Air Force and making a better life for himself. They both inspired me to go further as well, as I too joined the Air Force, and retired after 20 years, and I am now pursuing my PhD... none of this would have been possible without their start.

[lizyoung]

Love this song, beautiful ❤️! My grandma, mom, aunt and sister have been meeting together every week doing family history for the last couple years. Covid has made it difficult that we can't meet as much or at all anymore which has been hard. One awesome discovery is that my grandmother found a tape of her mother before she died. We were able to digitalize it. It was a life sketch with a message to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and more. What a connection it was too hear someone I never met but who loved me and had hope for me. Thank you for your talents and dedication. Music brings out so many emotions that help heal my soul.

[kimfleury]

An elementary school music teacher introduced me to The Piano Guys when I was assigned to assist an autistic child in one of the classes. I also substitute teach, and it's great to know I can go to The Piano Guys videos when students do independent math work (because listening to classical music improves math performance). It's also great for independent free choice reading time (because the fanciful imagery inspires students to use their imaginations, a crucial part of reading skills). Best of all, it's kid friendly and safe for all ages. Thank you for making the world a better place.

[nabimiso]

The Natural History Museum has awesome architecture, it's a perfect spot for an incredible cover of an awesome song. Spot on 100%

[VikingBand]

I can not thank you four Piano Guys enough for being my all-time favorite music group! I am 16 years old, I am a proud member of my high school's marching band, and have been playing piano for close to 11 years now, so I always enjoy actively listening and playing along with every single song you guys have created so well in the past 10 years. It has helped me during this stressful time to listen to each and every new and old song you guys have created, and I have recently been playing lots of songs from some Piano Guys music books along with the incredible music videos! I just wanted to put out my gratitude to Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson, since you both always have smiles on your faces that has influenced my overall mood and emotion as I playing piano at home! Everyone involved with the Piano Guys in any way are so great at helping support the original four Piano guys, and I am just so lucky to be able to listen to so many of my favorite Piano Guys tunes every single day! I am overjoyed! THANKS PIANO GUYS!!!!